Overview

Causes

The cause is not always known. Excess bleeding can be caused by other health issues such as:

  • Adenomyosis—abnormal uterine tissue growth
  • Cervical or endometrial polyp
  • Uterine fibroid
  • Pelvic infections
  • Bleeding disorders, such as von Willebrand disease
  • Medicine that slows blood clotting
  • Anti-inflammatory medicine
  • Liver, kidney, or thyroid disease
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Ovarian cyst
  • Intrauterine device (IUD)

Risk Factors

Menorrhagia is more common in:

  • Teens to early adulthood
  • Women who are close to menopause

SymptomsandDiagnosis

Symptoms

Menorrhagia may be:

  • Bleeding that lasts more than 7 days
  • Very heavy bleeding (soaking through a sanitary napkin or tampon every hour)
  • Flow that needs a change of sanitary napkin during the night
  • Large clots
  • Problems going through a normal day because of very heavy flow

Long periods of heavy flow can also lead to fatigue and shortness of breath.

When Should I Call My Doctor?

People with symptoms of menorrhagia should call their doctor.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam, including a pelvic exam, will be done. Tests to look for possible causes may include:

  • Pap test
  • Blood tests
  • Transvaginal ultrasound
  • Removal of a sample of endometrial tissue— endometrial biopsy
  • Scraping the inner lining of the uterus— dilation and curettage
  • Closely viewing the uterus and fallopian tubes— hysteroscopy

Treatments

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to ease the heavy flow. How this is done will be based on what is causing it. Some steps may include:

Medicine

Medicine may help stop or ease heavy flow, such as:

  • Hormonal therapy
  • An IUD that releases the hormone progesterone

Other medicine may help ease symptoms of a heavy flow, such as:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Iron supplement

Surgical Procedures

Surgery may be needed if the bleeding is severe and other treatments have not helped. Surgery choices include:

  • Dilation and curettage
  • Operative hysteroscopy—may be used with other tools to remove a polyp
  • Removal of the lining of the uterus— endometrial ablation
  • Removal of the uterus— hysterectomy

Prevention

There are no steps to prevent heavy menstrual bleeding.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Edits to original content made by Denver Health.