Heavy bleeding is when you have a prolonged period or more blood flow than normal menstruation. The bleeding may be too much, making you change your pad every hour, and you may pass large blood clots. It is a common disorder affecting twenty-seven to fifty-four percent of all individuals who menstruate. Hawthorne heavy bleeding can interfere with your daily life and, in extreme situations, cause anemia. Hormone-related issues, medications, medical conditions, and stress are common causes of heavy bleeding. Heavy bleeding may accompany abdominal pain and anemia symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath. There are many causes of heavy bleeding, which include:
Hormone imbalance
During your normal menstruation cycle, hormones estrogen and progesterone regulates the buildup of your uterus lining that is shed during the process. If you have a hormone imbalance, the uterus lining develops in excess and finally sheds as heavy menstrual bleeding. Many conditions can lead to hormonal imbalance including obesity, insulin resistance, and thyroid issues.
Pregnancy complications
Pregnancy issues like ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage can lead to heavy bleeding. Ectopic pregnancy is where a fertilized egg implants in your fallopian tube instead of your womb. It can lead to heavy bleeding and other problems. Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency care. Miscarriage is when you lose pregnancy before twenty weeks of gestation. If you experience heavy bleeding during pregnancy, consult your doctor immediately for evaluation.
Uterus issues
Physical problems with your uterus can cause heavy bleeding. Fibroids, non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterine wall, can lead to heavy bleeding. Polyps, also non-cancerous growths, can form in your uterus lining, leading to extreme or prolonged menstrual bleeding. You can also have adenomyosis, where cells similar to the ones that form on your uterus lining grow in the uterine muscle, leading to abnormal bleeding and painful periods.
Cancer
Reproductive system cancers can cause heavy bleeding. Heavy bleeding after menopause may indicate endometrial cancer, which affects the uterus lining. It is the most common form of gynecological cancer. Endometrial cancer happens after menopause in most women. Research shows that heavy bleeding is the first symptom of most postmenopausal women with cancer. Cervical, vaginal, and ovarian cancers can also cause heavy bleeding.
Lack of ovulation
Lack of ovulation for several menstrual cycles can make your uterus lining thicker than usual, causing heavy bleeding. Irregular ovulation can result from perimenopause, polycystic ovary syndrome, or if you started menstruating recently. Hypothyroidism, a low thyroid function, can cause irregular ovulation, leading to heavy bleeding.
Medications
Certain medications can cause heavy bleeding. Contraceptive methods such as intrauterine devices, birth control pills, and injectables cause heavy bleeding in some women. Most of these birth control methods cause heavy bleeding within the first month after use. If you do not remove contraceptive devices as required, you may experience heavy bleeding. Hormone replacement therapy, blood thinners, and aspirin are other medications that can lead to heavy bleeding.
Heavy bleeding is when you have a prolonged period or more blood flow than normal menstruation. It can result from hormonal imbalance, pregnancy complications, uterus issues, reproductive system cancers, irregular ovulation, and medications. Schedule an appointment at Marina OB/GYN for heavy bleeding treatment to resume a normal life.
