What woman has never referred to her period, when it’s very heavy, as a hemorrhage? This way of referring sounds a bit exaggerated compared to the actual bleeding of menstrual hemorrhage. If having a period for 3, 5, or 7 days is already uncomfortable for all women, can you imagine bleeding for 2, 3, or more months straight, without stopping? Well, this is not considered common, but it happens frequently among women.
Menstrual hemorrhage1 is considered when it occurs after the menstrual period and when it lasts more than 7 days. It is one of the main complaints in gynecology offices around the world, and there are many women who constantly struggle with this problem. It’s not just the hemorrhage itself and its discomfort that are concerns, but also the problems it causes that can compromise health.
There are several reasons that can trigger a menstrual hemorrhage. In fact, these problems can begin as early as adolescence. Hormonal imbalance and uterine problems are the main culprits, as well as uterine lesions, polyps, fibroids, and cancer, which almost always lead to hemorrhage during the menstrual period.
In cases where hormonal imbalance is the cause of the hemorrhage, for some women, it can be corrected with dietary changes. Some research indicates that yam contains substances that induce ovulation2. The phyto-hormone diosgenin—a substance present in yams—is capable of stimulating hormone levels in the brain, helping to regulate the cycle.
Symptoms such as menstruation with large clots, vaginal pain, abdominal swelling, and fatigue accompanied by heavy bleeding are common during episodes of menstrual hemorrhage and you should see a doctor immediately.
Hormonal problems such as hyperthyroidism, uterine infections, and the use of oral contraceptives can also be responsible for menstrual hemorrhages. This can cause serious harm to a woman’s health if care is not taken in time. Constant blood loss, for example, further reduces the level of iron in the blood, causing severe anemia. Anemia, in turn, reduces the amount of oxygen in the body, which can result in serious tissue damage.
Treatment for Menstrual Hemorrhage
Treatment for menstrual hemorrhage must only be started after receiving an accurate diagnosis of what is causing the problem. Additional tests should be requested by the gynecologist to analyze the condition, such as transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests.
In the case of uterine or urinary tract infections, the use of antibiotics is essential for treatment. In cases of polyps or uterine cancer, surgery may be the only option. In cases of fibroids, if control cannot be achieved with oral contraceptives, the surgical procedure called myomectomy3 is recommended, in which the uterus is preserved. For patients where all treatments have been tried unsuccessfully, hysterectomy surgery is the last resort, where part or all of the uterus is removed. Talk to your doctor and clear up any doubts.
See also: Irregular Menstruation – How to Help Your Cycle Get Back to Normal
