THAT HEAVY MENSTRUATION CAN KILL ANY WOMAN ‘’MENORRHAGIA’’
In 1994 there is a woman I knew , she is a mother of 2 children, she has being having the problem of heavy menstrual periods for years, like many other women in Nigeria.
This particular month, the menstrual period came and refuse to stop, she bled heavily for days and fainted [she almost died, many other women have died from excessive bleeding], her husband and neighbours had to quickly rush her to the nearest hospital, the doctor did all he could to stop the bleeding and revive the woman, all failed , the last resort was to remove the entire womb [hysterectomy] so as to save the woman’s life.
The entire womb was removed and the woman survived till this day, but she could no more have any other child.
In this article we are going to talk about menorrhagia, what causes it, the diagnosis/tests to check out for it, and treatments.
DEFINITION/COMPLICATIONS
Menorrhagia is an abnormal heavy and prolonged menstrual period at regular intervals.
Only females are affected by menorrhagia
At some time in your reproductive life, you have probably experienced heavy bleeding during your menstrual period [some times with blood clots]. If you are like some women, every period you have causes enough blood loss and cramping that you can not maintain your usual daily activities.
The medical term for periods like these—heavy excessive or prolonged is MENORRHAGIA.
Aside from the social distress of dealing with a prolonged and heavy period, overtime the blood loss may prove to be greater than the body iron reserves or the rate of blood replenishment, leading to ANEMIA.
Symptoms attributable to anemia may include shortness of breath, tiredness, weakness, tingling and numbness in fingers and toes, headaches, depression, becoming cold more easily and poor concentration.
CAUSES
There are several possible cause of menorrhagia , including the following
[1] Hormonal imbalance [particularly estrogen and progesterone], especially seen in adolescents [young girls] who are experiencing their menstrual period for the first time and in womaen approaching menopause.
[2] Pelvic inflammatory disease [PID]
[3] Uterine fibroids
[4] Abnormal pregnancy [like miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy]
[5] Infection, tumours, or polyps in te uterine cavity.
[6] Certain birth control devices [like intrauterine devices or IUCDs]
[7] Bleeding or platelet disorders
[8] High levels of prostaglandins [chemical substances wich help to control muscle contractions of the uterus]
[9] High levels of endothelins [chemical substances which help the blood vessels in the body dilate]
[10] Liver, kidney, thyroid disease or diabetic
[11] Polycystic ovarian syndrome
[12] Fat/obesity
[13] Cancer of the womb, ovaries or cervix
[14] Inherited bleeding disorder
SYMPTOMS
[1] Menstrual flow that soaks through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours.
[2] The need to use double sanitary protection to control your menstrual flow
[3] The need to change sanitary protection during the night
[4] Menstrual flow that includes large blood clots
[5] Heavy menstrual flow that interferes with your regular life style
[6] Menstrual period, lasting longer than several days
[7] Tiredness, fatigue, or shortness of breath
[8] Severe pelvic pain with heavy menstrual blood flow
DIAGNOSIS/TESTS
[1] Blood tests
[a]
PCV to rule out anaemia
Hormonal assay study
[c]
Thyroid disorder
[d]
Blood clotting abnormalities
[2] Pap Smear Tests
Collection of cells from your cervix for microscopic examination to detect infection, inflammation or changes that may be cancerous or may lead to cancer.
[3] Endometrial Biopsy
[4] Ultrasound Scan
This imaging method uses sound waves to produce images of your uterus, ovaries and pelvis , especially Transvaginal Scan
[5] Sonohysterography [SonoHSG]
This ultrasound scan is done after fluid is injected through a tube into the uterus by way of your vagina and cervix. This allows us to look for problems in the lining of your uterus.
[6] Hysteroscopy
[7] Dilation and Currettage.
TREATMENTS
Specific treatment for menorrhagia is based on a number of factors including
[1] Your overall health and medical history
[2] The cause and severity of the condition
[3] Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies
[4] The likelihood that your periods will become less heavy before long
[5] Your future childbearing plans
[6] Effects of the condition on your lifestyle
[7] Your opinion or personal preference.
Management of bleeding in pregnancy requires gynaecology referral and potential hospital admission especially if bleeding does not stop or is substantial and surgical intervention is required.
Blood transfusion maybe required for blood loss resulting in compromised hemodynamic stability
Treatment options include pharmaceutical or surgical and radiological options
For accurate assessment of your fertility situation, contact us at JOAS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIX, Ikotun Lagos Nigeria.
For FREE Consultation and FREE Counseling. Also for Quality and Accurate Medical Diagnostic Tests Contact
JOAS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIX
JOAS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIX——-WE ARE AN ULTRAMODERN MEDICAL IMAGING CENTER. WE ARE EXPERTS IN ULTRASOUND SCAN SERVICES, 3D/4D COLOUR DOPPLER SCAN SERVICES, X-RAY/RADIOLOGY SERVICES, ECG SERVICES, INFERTILITY SERVICES, HSG SERVICES, LABORATORY SERVICES,BLOOD BANKING SERVICES , DNA SERVICES, AND HEALTH CONSULTANCY/COUNSELLING SERVICES.
We are located at
JOAS HOUSE, 2, Okesuna Street,
Opposite The Synagogue Church Busstop,
Bolorunpelu, Ikotun, Lagos
Postcode: 100265
Nigeria.
TEL:
08032509975,
08184590752,
08058166504,
08064981455
EMAIL:
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