Heavy Bleeding Menorrhagia Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

I am 17 and sometimes my period can last anywhere up 2 weeks. I have recently just got my period and everyday there is a blood clot that keeps getting a slight bigger each time. Is this normal? Can you help please?

Signs and Symptoms of Menorrhagia

This condition is called as Menorrhagia. Usually average in a menstrual cycle there is blood flow for 7 days but when the flow remains for longer period that is more than 7 days and bleeding which soaks more than one pad every hour it is called as Menorrhagia.

It is a type of Dysfunctional uterine Bleeding.

What are the Causes of Menorrhagia?

Menorrhagia due to Disorders of Coagulation

With the shedding of an endometrial lining’s blood vessels, normal coagulation process must occur to limit and eventually stop the blood flow. Blood disorders of platelets (such as ITP) or coagulation (such as von Willebrand disease) or use of anticoagulant medication are therefore possible causes, although a rare minority of cases.

Hormonal Imbalance may also be a cause of Menorrhagia

This is the second common cause of heavy bleeding, without any obvious abnormality. To diagnose this condition a D&C (dilation and curettage) operation has to be done.

This is a minor procedure where the opening of the womb (cervix) is dilated and widened so that an instrument called curette can be introduced in the uterus to scrape the inner lining.
These scrapings are taken for laboratory examination under a microscope. According to the nature of the cells, the doctor may be able to decide what type of hormonal deficiency is there. Appropriate treatment with hormones solves the problem of heavy periods.
You may experience bleeding from the uterus for a few days after the operation along with backache and pain in the lower abdomen.
Refrain from sexual activity for about one week after the D&C operation.

Miscarriage induced Menorrhagia

If a single period is delayed and there is heavy bleeding, it may be an indication of early miscarriage. Consult a doctor to rule out this possibility.

Menorrhagia due to IUCD

Commonly used intra uterine contraceptive devices are ‘loop or Copper-T
If the periods have become heavier following the introduction of a loop, it could possibly be the side effect of the same. There is no cause for concern, as in two or three months, it goes back to original form.
After a few months, it stabilizes by itself. However, if the bleeding is heavier than usual and it disturbs day-to-day routine, then the loop may have to be removed and an alternative method of contraception should be looked for.

Fibroids causing Menorrhagia

If the periods are heavy and are becoming more painful, the possibility of fibroids (non-cancerous tumors of the uterus) should be considered. Another cause for heavy periods is endometriosis. In this condition there is a formation of womb lining tissue outside the uterus. A doctor should be consulted and investigations like laproscopy and sonography will confirm the diagnosis. The treatment can be medical or surgical depending upon the cause. Fibroids are more common in women over thirty-five years of age. If fibroids are too big and the woman has crossed the childbearing age, fibroids along with the uterus may be removed surgically (hysterectomy).

After menopause, due to the change in the hormonal pattern, most of the fibroids regress on their own. If a woman is nearing the menopause and the fibroids are not giving much trouble, it is worthwhile to wait for a couple of years for them to naturally regress rather than going in for surgery.

Psychological Upsets and overwork may also lead to menorrhagia

Marital disharmony, domestic quarrels, undue anxiety, stress and tension are some of the other occasional causes for heavy bleeding.
Occasionally bleeding from the anus due to piles may be confused with vaginal bleeding. Normally bleeding piles are related to passing of stools. Either the blood is mixed with the stools or it is passed after the stools
This are the common causes of Menorrhagia but it your case the Menorrhagia may be due to coagulation disorder. You need to consult a gyanecologist to fiure out wht exactly is causing the bleeding.

Treatment for Menorrhagia

(Consult your doctor before you try any medication)
1) Iron Supplements: It may be required as you are having a heavy blood loss to counter anemia.
2) Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs: It may also help to reduce blood loss.
3) Oral Contraceptives.
4) Progesterone: It may help if the bleeding is due to hormonal imbalance then progesterone may correct the hormonal imbalance.

General measures during menorrhagia

Some general measures that a patient can take before consulting a doctor are:
- Bed rest
- Avoid over exertion
- No vigorous exercise
- Cold showers
- Avoid anxiety and tension

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