Hypermenorrhea Or Menorrhagia: What Is It?

Hypermenorrhea is a change in menstruation where the bleeding is very heavy and also lasts longer than normal. The medical term most commonly used for this problem is menorrhagia.

Most women are not usually concerned about having very heavy menstrual bleeding from time to time. However, hypermenorrhea is different as it involves a range of symptoms and complications.

Most often it is due to hormonal disorders, endometrial polyps, fibroids or blood disorders. It is an important health problem, so in this article we will tell you everything you need to know about hypermenorrhea and how to discover it.

What is Hypermenorrhea?

Hypermenorrhea is a condition in which menstruation occurs with much heavier bleeding than normal. In addition, it tends to last longer than normal periods (more than 5 days).

Hypermenorrhea occurs during the normal menstrual days: that is, the menstrual cycle follows the same schedule and is not changed. This makes it even more difficult to distinguish and identify this pathology.

The main symptom of this condition, as we mentioned, is that the bleeding is very intense. The woman who suffers from it has to constantly change the sanitary napkin or tampons she uses. 

It is often difficult to control menstruation, even if you wear a tampon and sanitary pad at the same time. This can affect sleep, as women often have to get up at night to change.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s important to keep in mind that hypermenorrhea is often accompanied by other symptoms due to heavy blood loss. Women often suffer from exhaustion, fatigue and even breathing difficulties.

Complications of hypermenorrhea

In addition to anemia, hypermenorrhea can cause very painful menstrual cramps. These cramps are so severe that women often go to the gynecologist because of them.

If you notice any changes in your bleeding, or if you think it’s heavier than usual, you should see your doctor. You do not have to be ashamed. Paying attention to menstruation can help in detecting many diseases in time.

What are the causes of hypermenorrhea?

In many cases, it is difficult to find out the exact cause of this pathology. However, some of the most common causes include:

• Hormonal changes. In many women, hormonal imbalances cause the endometrium, the lining that lines the uterus, to develop too much. When this membrane comes off, the menstrual bleeding is very intense.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome. This is exactly one of the factors that we already mentioned that cause the hormonal imbalance.
• polyps. Small benign tumors in the uterus that make bleeding more intense or prolonged.
• Fibroids.
• IUD. This is the method of contraception that we normally refer to as IUD (intra-uterine device). Hypermenorrhea can be one of the side effects.

• Cancer in the uterus or cervical cancer. It is one of the most serious causes, but fortunately it is not very common. It is related to the papilloma virus.

On the other hand, blood disorders, such as bleeding or clotting disorders, can also cause hypermenorrhea. Likewise, certain medications, such as anticoagulants, may be part of the problem.

How is it diagnosed?

As we mentioned, the first thing to do when you have questions about your period is to see a doctor. You should tell your doctor how many days your period normally lasts and how much blood loss you usually experience.

The gynecologist will probably examine you physically and have you do certain additional tests. First of all,  a blood test is often done to assess for anemia or other blood disorders.

You usually also undergo a test called a Pap smear. It consists of collecting cells from the cervix to check for infections or changes related to cancer. The ultrasound also usually helps with the diagnosis.

Treatment of hypermenorrhea

The treatment of this condition depends on the cause and severity of the situation. It may be based on medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), that help manage the associated pain.

Other medications, such as oral contraceptives or oral progesterone may also be used. A study by Dr. Dragoman has shown that oral contraceptives can help regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce these types of symptoms.

However, there are also contraindications, so you should consult your gynecologist to determine which is the best option for you.

There is also a hormonal IUD that releases a substance that reduces the thickness of the endometrium. This therefore reduces menstruation and cramps.

There are other surgical treatments that can help as well. They’re a little more complicated, so it’s up to your doctor to explain all the options to you.

A visit to your gynecologist is crucial, don’t forget it!

If you think you may be suffering from hypermenorrhea, don’t hesitate to see a doctor. Paying attention to your period is one of the basic ways to help you diagnose and find the right treatment.