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While some women have heavier periods than others, heavy menstrual bleeding, also called menorrhagia, can be a sign of a more serious issue. Or, if nothing else, it can be time-consuming to deal with. Find the relief you’re looking for with the help of our team at MAIA.
What is Menorrhagia?
Menorrhagia is the medical term for heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. It can be caused by a number of different conditions, including issues with the uterus or hormonal imbalances. More specifically, it refers to bleeding lasting longer than seven days and involves more blood flow than is typical during menstruation.
If you are changing your pad or tampon every hour for several hours, menorrhagia is likely the issue.
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What to Expect During Menorrhagia
How do you know if you simply have a heavy period or if you’re dealing with menorrhagia? There are a few signs and symptoms we look for when it comes to menorrhagia, including:
- Need to change a pad or tampon every 1-2 hours for several hours in a row
- Bleeding for longer than a week
- Passing blood clots the size of a quarter or larger
- Getting up at night to change sanitary pads or tampons.
- Limiting daily activities due to heavy menstrual flow.
- Feeling tired, fatigued, or short of breath
- Abdominal pain
If you have any of these symptoms, you’ll want to see your healthcare provider.
Menorrhagia Treatment Options
There are a few different treatment options for menorrhagia. During your consultation with Dr. Wolowick or Dr. Mitchell, they’ll ask about your symptoms and medical history to determine the right choice for you.
Some of the treatments we typically prescribe for menorrhagia include:
- Prostaglandin inhibitors: These are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can reduce cramping and limit the amount your bleed
- Oral contraceptive pills: These stop ovulation and can lead to a lighter period. A hormonal IUD also works the same way but also makes the uterine lining thinner and reduces menstrual flow.
- Hormonal treatment: We can also prescribe hormones like progesterone to regulate your period
- Ablation: With this treatment, Dr. Wolowick or Dr. Mitchell destroys the lining of the uterus, limiting how much you bleed
- Resection: With a resection, your provider will completely remove the lining of the uterus to limit how much you bleed during your period. You may not have any bleeding at all.
- Hysterectomy: With a hysterectomy, the whole uterus is removed, completely eliminating any bleeding you’re experiencing.
- Iron supplements: These supplements are for anyone experiencing anemia due to the heavy loss of blood
- GnRH medicines. These help control heavy uterine bleeding and, when combined with estrogen and progestin, may help control bleeding caused by fibroids.
- Focused ultrasound: This procedure shrinks fibroids by targeting and destroying fibroids using ultrasound waves and radiofrequency energy.
- Myomectomy: If fibroids are the cause of your heavy bleeding, they can be surgically removed from the uterus.
Menorrhagia Treatment Recovery
Your recovery time after menorrhagia treatment depends on the type of treatment used. With medication, you simply take the prescribed dose. There is no recovery time needed. With surgery, you will likely need to take a few days off work to rest and heal, and you’ll want to limit your activities. Dr. Wolowick or Dr. Mitchell will walk you through the recovery process for your specific case.
Schedule A Consultation
Finally find the relief you deserve with menorrhagia treatment at MAIA! Dr. Wolowick and Dr. Mitchell will listen to all your concerns, answer any questions you have, and then build a customized treatment plan for you. Take the first step and schedule a consultation today! Call our Downers Grove, IL office at 630-320-6703 or fill out our online contact form.
Whether you live in Naperville, Chicago, Aurora, or Downers Grove, IL, we look forward to helping you live your best life.