Menorrhagia is a condition when women have very heavy bleeding during their menstrual period. With this issue, women can’t participate in their regular activities because they may also experience cramping pains. If you experience heavy menstrual bleeding, or have prolonged periods, contact your gynecologist, so they can help you find an effective treatment and improve your quality of life.

The Causes

While sometimes the reason for heavy menstrual bleeding is unknown, there are a few common conditions that may be affecting your period. You may be experiencing a hormone imbalance, which causes the lining of the uterus to develop in excess, leading to heavy menstrual bleeding when it sheds. Thyroid problems, insulin resistance, and obesity can all cause a hormone imbalance. Your ovaries may also not release an egg, which prevents the body from producing progesterone, causing menorrhagia. Other causes of this condition include uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, intrauterine devices, and polyps.

The Symptoms & Diagnosis

You may have menorrhagia if you need to change pads or tampons every hour for a few hours in a row, wear more than one pad at a time, have periods that last more than seven days, have constant pain in your lower back, or have a heavy menstrual flow that prevents you from going about your daily tasks.

To figure out if you have this condition, the gynecologist will ask about your medical history and past menstrual cycles. They’ll ask how many days your period lasts, how long your menstrual cycle is, and how many days your period is heavy. The gynecologist will then give you a pelvic exam as well as other tests such as a blood test, pap test, ultrasound, or endometrial biopsy.

Once they confirm that you have menorrhagia, they’ll find a treatment that works for you. Common types of treatment include birth control pills, intrauterine contraception, and hormone therapy. If the gynecologist believes your menorrhagia is more severe, they may recommend a surgical treatment such as endometrial ablation or operative hysteroscopy.

If you consistently have heavy menstrual periods, it’s imperative to get it checked out by a gynecologist as soon as possible. For patients in Anchorage and Wasilla, AK, contact the team at Caring for Women. For the past 20 years, they have offered women’s health care in a warm, friendly environment. Their services include routine checkups, microsurgery, and advanced surgical treatments. To schedule an appointment, call (907) 279-2229. Visit them online to learn more about their offerings.