Menstrual blood is too little, certainly not normal. However, if the menstrual volume is so large that it feels like a “flood”, you also need to be careful, you know. Come on, see why this deserves attention and its effect on fertility.
Why Menstrual Blood Can Be So much?
Every month, a woman’s body prepares for pregnancy. The lining of the uterus thickens in preparation for nurturing a fertilized egg. Previously, the egg is released and ready to be fertilized, then settles in the lining of the uterus.
If the egg is not fertilized, the body then no longer needs the thicker uterine lining, so it begins to break down and is eventually expelled with blood through the vagina. This is called menstruation. Once done, the process starts all over again. It can be concluded, menstruation is the body’s way of releasing tissue that is no longer needed every month.
In general, the average woman will lose about 2-3 tablespoons of blood, the equivalent of 30–45 milliliters, during the 4-5 days of menstruation. However, it is different if a person experiences menorrhagia or heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
This condition can be easily noticed by you by knowing the difference. Such as the following:
Normal menstruation |
Menorrhagia |
Change pads every 4-5 hours. |
Less than every 4 or 5 hours, you have to change the pads. |
The menstrual cycle lasts 21-35 days. |
Menstrual cycle less than 21 days. |
Menstrual period 4-7 days. |
Menstruation is always longer than 7 days. |
Using regular pads is enough. |
Must use long or double pads. |
Generally there are no blood clots. |
Small to large blood clots were found. |
There are many reasons why menorrhagia can occur. In some cases, the cause of menorrhagia is unknown. But the good news is that most of these causes are treatable.
Because every woman’s period is unique, seeing a doctor is the only way to know for sure what causes your period to be normal or abnormal. Well, some of the most common causes of menorrhagia include:
In a normal menstrual cycle, the balance between the hormones estrogen and progesterone regulates the buildup of the lining of the uterus (endometrium), which is shed during menstruation. When a hormone imbalance occurs, the endometrium develops excessively and eventually sheds profuse menstrual blood. A number of conditions can cause hormonal imbalances, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, insulin resistance, and thyroid problems.
If the ovaries do not release an egg (ovulation) during the menstrual cycle (anovulation), the body does not produce the hormone progesterone, as it does during a normal menstrual cycle. This causes a hormonal imbalance and can lead to menorrhagia.
Or commonly called uterine (benign) noncancerous tumors, appear during childbearing age. Uterine fibroids can cause menstrual bleeding that is heavier than usual or prolonged.
Small, benign growths on the lining of the uterus (uterine polyps) can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
Also read: Effects of Weight Loss on Fertility
This condition occurs when glands from the endometrium become embedded in the uterine muscle, often causing heavy bleeding and painful menstruation.
- Use of spiral contraceptives
Menorrhagia is a well-known side effect of using spiral contraceptives or intrauterine device (IUD).
Uterine cancer and cervical cancer can cause excessive menstrual bleeding, especially in the postmenopausal period or have a history of results PAP smear abnormal.
Certain medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal drugs such as estrogen and progestins, and blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
A number of other medical conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, can be associated with menorrhagia.
Also read: When Can You Get Pregnant Again After Taking Spirals?
What is the Impact on Fertility?
As scary as it sounds, menorrhagia is actually very common, and about a third of women experience it. However, this condition can of course interfere with daily life and, in some cases, signal a more serious health problem.
Untreated menorrhagia can lead to other medical conditions, such as:
- Iron deficiency anemia or lack of blood volume to carry oxygen throughout the body. Menorrhagia can lower iron levels, thereby increasing the risk of iron deficiency anemia. Common symptoms are feeling tired, lethargic, and chest pain. Although diet plays a role in iron deficiency anemia, the problem can be complicated by menorrhagia.
Along with heavy menstrual bleeding, you may also experience painful menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).
While the impact on fertility, menorrhagia that occurs every month indicates that there are many possibilities that can lead to the inability to conceive or maintain a healthy pregnancy. These problems such as uterine fibroids or polyps, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or hormonal imbalances.
The course of treatment from the doctor will certainly be determined by the underlying cause of your condition. The doctor will recommend first-line treatment which consists of:
- Prescribing birth control pills to stop ovulation and help control menstrual blood.
- Giving painkillers (analgesics) to reduce cramps and menstrual blood flow.
- Oral progesterone to help regulate hormone levels.
- Using hormonal spiral contraception. This type of spiral releases a progestin that can thin the lining of the uterus, thereby reducing blood flow and cramping.
- Oral administration of tranexamic acid, to increase blood clotting and may help slow blood flow.
When first-line treatment is not successful, surgical treatment will be considered. There are certain surgical procedures that can decrease the potential for pregnancy, such as:
- Endometrial ablation or endometrial resection. This procedure permanently destroys the lining of the uterus. Hence, it is only performed on married couples who do not plan to become pregnant.
- Hysterectomy or complete removal of the uterus. In some cases, the ovaries may also be removed. This procedure also eliminates the possibility of pregnancy.
That is why, menorrhagia is not a condition to be taken lightly and should be treated thoroughly, especially if you are planning to become pregnant. (IS)
Also read: Do Eating Disorders Cause Infertility?
Reference
health channel. Menorrhagia
Mayo Clinic. Menorrhagia
Hopkins drug. Menorrhagia