HEAVY PERIODS
What are heavy periods
Heavy periods – known in medical terms as ‘menorrhagia’ – can be experienced along with other symptoms, such as period pain. On average, women lose around 30-40ml of blood during a period. The amount varies from woman to woman, but generally amounts lost above 60ml are heavy menstrual bleeding.
Heavy periods are not always an indication that something is wrong, but they can be uncomfortable and disruptive in everyday life. Some of the conditions which can cause heavy periods include fibroids, endometriosis, hyperthyroidism and pelvic inflammatory disease.
I provide a one-stop clinic, with all investigations carried out on the first visit, ensuring the prompt treatment that can improve women’s quality of life.
Heavy period treatment
Heavy periods I provide a one-stop clinic with all investigations carried on the first visit. The most important investigation is a pelvic ultrasound scan of the womb to check for fibroids, polyps or adenomyosis which are the most common causes of heavy periods. Results of the scan are immediately available during the consultation.
If an obvious cause for the heavy periods is not determined by the pelvic ultrasound scan, further investigations, including blood tests will be arranged.
Treatment for heavy periods depends on the cause. Treatments include medicines such as Tranexamic acid and Mefenamic, the combined oral contraceptive pill, Mirena coil and surgery.
Surgical treatments will depend on lesion identified. This will include endometrial ablation (removal or using heat to remove womb lining, surgery for polys or fibroids.
Occasionally, hormonal injections are used to temporarily stop periods in order to prepare patients for surgery.
Irregular periods symptoms
Irregular periods at almost always due to a problem with the ovulation. A menstrual cycle is normal if periods occur between 21-35 days after the previous one. If ovulation does not occur, the cycle will be more than 35 days.
Causes of irregular cycles include:
- Pregnancy
- Not ovulating (due to PCOS, menopause, premature menopause, and other hormonal imbalance to include thyroid and Prolactin hormone)
- Scarring of the cavity of the womb (Asherman’s syndrome)
- Caesarean section scar niche
- Hormonal imbalance due to hormonal and some psychiatric medications
- Cervix problems (cervix erosion, cervix cancer etc)
What is a caesarean section scar niche?
Previous caesarean scar ‘niche’ is a pocket that develops under the caesarean section scar in the womb. If the pocket is large enough, menstrual blood may collect within it during a period and may result in irregular blood loss several days after. A caesarean section niche is easily identified by pelvic ultrasound scan and where necessary, ca be easily treated by keyhole surgery (hysteroscopy).
Pelvic ultrasound for abnormal bleeding
Pelvic ultrasound in our one stop gynaecology clinic takes less than 10 minutes. It is a very safe procedure with minimal discomfort and identifies all the possible abnormal growths of the womb that cause abnormal bleeding, including fibroids, adenomyosis and endometrial polyps. womb.
The function of ovaries and their egg reserve will also be visualised. Abnormal growths on the ovaries such as cysts will also be identified, with results immediately available.
When should I be concerned about heavy mensturation?
You should be concerned about heavy periods if lasting very long, passing large clots or flooding through sanitary products. These are signs of heavy blood loss.
With heavy blood loss, your body may not be able to replenish iron stores as well as blood lost rapidly enough.
Should this happen, you may develop anaemia (low blood count) which may result in fatigue, headaches, palpitations, dizziness and occasionally fainting. You should seek immediate medical attention to determine the cause for your heavy periods and get the right treatment.
Please book an appointment if you are concerned about heavy periods.
How do I stop heavy menstrual bleeding?
Heavy menstrual bleeding could be due to a myriad of causes such as fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis, hormonal imbalance etc.
It is very important to get a prompt assessment to determine cause of the heavy period and get the right treatment.
Our one stop gynaecology clinic will identify and provide treatment in most cases within the first visit. On rare occasions, further investigations, including blood tests for hormone levels may be required before the right treatment can be instituted.
For more information about how we can help you, have a look at our Well Women Check.
GET IN TOUCH
If you have a condition or any concerns that you would like to discuss in complete confidentiality, please use this form to get in touch.
Either myself or one of my team will get back to you as soon possible, but please be aware that my professional schedule does not usually allow me to personally respond immediately.
If you have a condition or any concerns that you would like to discuss in complete confidentiality, please use this form to get in touch.
Either myself or one of my team will get back to you as soon possible, but please be aware that my professional schedule does not usually allow me to personally respond immediately.
