Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: (HMB) is a serious but frequently disregarded problem that affects women in all stages of life. It can appear in the form of puberty menorrhagia, a disorder of the ovaries, or later in life during the reproductive years as a result of endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis, or polyps brought on by an excess of estrogen. Heavy bleeding may also be a result of pregnancy complications.
The expert on this subject, Dr. Rashmi Shriya of MASSH (Minimal Access Smart Surgery Hospital), offers the following insight: “Heavy bleeding may also occur in premenopausal women due to endometrial dysfunction or in postmenopausal women as postmenopausal bleeding, which can be alarming and possibly linked to uterine or cervical cancer.”
It’s critical to obtain a thorough medical history, conduct clinical exams, order any necessary blood tests, and order imaging in order to accurately assess HMB.
Key Indicators of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB)
Heavy bleeding can be subjective, so doctors may ask these questions to determine if HMB is present:
– Does the bleeding disrupt daily activities or significantly affect quality of life?
– Are periods lasting more than seven days?
– Is the menstrual flow heavy enough to require frequent changes of tampons or pads?
– Are clots larger than a coin size present?
– Is there a need to use two forms of sanitary protection simultaneously?
– Does heavy bleeding cause waking up at night?
– Is it necessary to change tampons or pads every hour?
– Does the individual feel constantly exhausted or fatigued?
The individual may be suffering from HMB if any of these questions have a yes response. Menstruating women typically lose between 30 and 40 milliliters of blood, but those who have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HMB) may lose as much as 80 milliliters monthly.
Understanding the Causes and Diagnosis
The root cause of HMB must be found in order to treat it successfully. The patient’s medical history is crucial, regardless of the severity of the bleeding. HMB can be caused by a number of things, including bleeding disorders like von Willebrand disease or hemophilia, pregnancy, and the use of medications like anticoagulants. There may be bruising or bleeding in the gums.
To identify the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan, diagnosing HMB may entail hysteroscopy, MRI, ultrasound, or blood testing.
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Treatment Options
Treatment options after the cause has been determined include medical or conservative management as well as surgery. The most popular gynecological procedure for treating HMB brought on by preinvasive cancer, fibroids, endometriosis, or endometrial hyperplasia is a hysterectomy. But there are hysterectomy alternatives (HALT: Hysterectomy Alternatives Less Talked About), and patient preferences, age, and reproductive history are often taken into account when designing a course of treatment. Myomectomy, polypectomy, endometrial resection, Mirena (a medicated IUD), and laparoscopic hysterectomy (minimally invasive surgery) are among the available options.
Breaking the Silence Around HMB
We can lessen the stigma associated with heavy menstrual bleeding and make sure that women receive the assistance and care they need to effectively manage this condition by increasing awareness, disseminating information, and promoting candid conversations.