Abundant menstruation is a real problem for a girl. Normally, menstruation lasts up to 7 days, and up to 150 milliliters of blood is lost. But for some, the situation is different.
Ample monthly periods not only violate the usual rhythm of life, but also greatly deplete the body. To fix this, you must first deal with the causes, and then proceed to treatment. However, this will be discussed now.
Hypermenstrual syndrome
That is the name of the phenomenon in question. Often, hypermenstrual syndrome is characterized not by an increase in the volume and duration of menstruation, but by its constant presence. Menstruation just does not stop.
The reasons can be very different, here is just a short list of them:
- Inflammation in the appendages and in the uterus.
- Genital infections.
- Pathologies of the endocrine nature.
- Malignant and benign tumors.
- Hematologic diseases.
- Surgical and traumatic injuries of the genitals.
- Intoxication.
- Infectious and somatic diseases.
- Intrauterine contraception.
There are also certain risk factors that include smoking, abrupt climate change, adverse living conditions and depression.
If a woman loses blood in an amount of more than 80 ml during each menstruation, then she is immediately placed at risk of developing a disease known as iron deficiency anemia.
In any case, to determine the exact cause of excessive bleeding, you need to go to the gynecologist. The doctor will conduct a rectal examination, make a Pap test, hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy and ultrasound of the pelvic organs. After studying the results, the woman will be diagnosed and assigned adequate treatment.
Hormonal disorders
This is one of the most common causes of heavy periods. It is usually malfunctions in the normal functioning of the hormonal system that lead to them.
Most often, an imbalance occurs in young girls during their first menstruation, and this is normal. Then the cycle is normalized, and the amount of blood released, too.
This reason is also relevant for adult women. Their discharge may increase several years before menopause.
Also, an imbalance can provoke the use of improperly selected birth control pills and hormonal drugs.
But why does it occur abundant periods, and not meager? The fact is that the ovaries of a healthy female body produce estrogen and progesterone. Under their influence, the uterus becomes thicker and begins to put pressure on the mucous membrane. And during menstruation, its upper layer seems to be cleansed. These fragments are excreted along with secretions.
And if a woman has a lowered level of testosterone and an increased amount of estrogen, then the ovulation process is going wrong. In such cases, the uterine membrane becomes extremely thick, which provokes abundant discharge.
Uterine pathology
This is the next common reason that many women have periods that are plentiful. The most common pathology is myomatosis, in which the internal area of the uterus increases and its shape changes. Because of this, it takes much longer to separate the endometrium, and therefore bleeding is characterized by profusion.
Also, some women are diagnosed with endometriosis. It manifests itself in the pathological proliferation of the endometrium in the muscle layer of the uterus. At the same time, separation is also accompanied by unbearable pain, in addition to profuse blood loss. Often there are intermenstrual discharge.
Asherman's syndrome can be one more reason of plentiful periods . It is characterized by the formation of intrauterine connective tissue adhesions. This disease not only entails endometritis and pain, but also makes conception impossible. Because of these adhesions, there is no normal outflow of blood. It simply lingers inside and curls up under the influence of temperature, and then comes out in the form of clots in a frighteningly large amount.
It is recommended to be wary of the appearance of very abundant periods after 45 years. Especially when they are with clots, and if a woman has already entered the menopause. Such abnormalities usually indicate the presence of cancer.
Postpartum consequence
When a woman is pregnant, for as long as 9 months her body undergoes various changes and stresses. After giving birth, a long and difficult recovery awaits him. And it begins with abundant periods.
Such discharge can not be called standard menstruation. These are actually the consequences of a bleeding, unhealed uterus, from which the placenta with the fetus exfoliated during childbirth. But they are accompanied by the release of large clots, so that they can be confused with menstruation.
Abundant periods after childbirth last about 40 days. During this time, the structure of the uterus is restored and its functioning is normalized.
After the end of the discharge, menstruation is completely absent for a rather long period due to breastfeeding. But ovulation occurs, despite this.
Then, when the menstruation is restored, it will last about 5 days. Sometimes the period is from a week or more, but this is a cause for concern. The reason for this duration is an enlarged uterus during pregnancy and a stretched endometrium.
Also, women who are faced with one of the following are prone to very abundant periods after childbirth:
- Inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system.
- Caesarean section or complex birth.
- Changing the balance of prolactin, which is responsible for the reproductive function and normalization of the menstrual cycle.
- Iron deficiency anemia.
- Constant stress and tension during and after pregnancy.
- Running diseases of a chronic nature.
By the way, a separate cause may be the remaining particles of the placenta or an ectopic pregnancy.
Uterine fibroids
If a woman has very abundant periods, then it is likely that she has formed this benign hormone-dependent formation.
The exact reason why uterine fibroids occur is still unknown. Doctors are inclined to believe that this is due to a violation of the hormonal function of the ovaries, which produce estrogen in large quantities.
Risk factors include abortion, cysts, inflammatory diseases, complex births, obesity, endocrine and immune disorders, as well as a hereditary factor.
The main symptom indicating the presence of fibroids is long and plentiful periods with clots, acyclic uterine bleeding and anemia that develops against their background. Accompanied by an increase in the formation of pain in the lower back and lower abdomen. If the myoma grows slowly, then these sensations do not pass.
Also, since the myoma compresses nearby organs, which include the rectum and bladder, a woman experiences problems with urination (it becomes either difficult or rapid) and suffers from constipation.
A developed disease entails more serious consequences - heart problems, shortness of breath and abnormal pressure surges.
Hemostatic tablets
So, what could be the reason for the abundant periods and why they go in such numbers, clearly. It is important to make a reservation just in case: everything is very individual here, and only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. He further prescribes treatment. As a rule, the following tablets are prescribed:
- "Vikasol". This medication is an artificial analogue of vitamin K. It makes up for its lack in the female body, which helps normalize blood coagulation and stimulate the formation of prothrombin. There are contraindications. If you are allergic, a rash, hives, bronchospasm, and itching can occur.
- "Dicinon" (e tamsilate). If a girl is interested in how to stop heavy periods, then you should pay attention to this drug. These tablets can establish blood microcirculation and normalize vascular permeability. Ethamsylate does not affect coagulation, but it is incompatible with any other medicines.
- Ascorutin. The composition of these medicines includes ascorbic acid. The medication reduces the permeability of blood vessels, makes them stronger and more elastic, and also has a hemostatic effect. With regular use, menstruation becomes not only less plentiful, but also shorter. This drug is indicated for women who have entered the menopause, as well as for those who have had a cesarean section.
What exactly will be assigned to the girl depends on the reason for which her periods are plentiful. In the presence of a serious disease, the doctor can even prescribe a detailed course of therapy with the appointment of several drugs.
Hemostatic injections
Above are listed prescribed for heavy monthly drugs. But also injections can be prescribed to a girl. Injections have a faster therapeutic effect. Tablets begin to act after at least an hour, and injections after 5-15 minutes.
One of three drugs is usually prescribed:
- Tranexam. This is a hemostatic medication aimed at stopping heavy hemorrhage. Acts almost instantly. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.
- Oxytocin. This tool reduces the uterus and helps stop blood loss. It is prescribed, as a rule, to women after childbirth. Introduced into the veins or muscles.
Depending on the specifics of the discharge, other medicines may be prescribed.
Birth control
For most girls, gynecologists prescribe oral contraceptives to normalize their cycle. And this is one of the best and most universal methods. Properly selected contraceptives have a lot of positive effects on the body:
- Normalize abundant periods, make them more meager.
- Reduce the duration of menstruation. In some girls, after starting taking oral contraceptives, it lasts three days.
- Correct dysmenorrhea (eliminate pain during menstruation).
- They treat posthemorrhagic anemia.
- They help to cope with inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs.
- Correct hyperandrogenism (reduces androgen levels) and PMS.
In addition, birth control is one of the most effective contraceptives. Their reliability reaches 98-99% (in the conditions of use in accordance with the instructions). And for condoms, this figure is only 87%.
The most famous oral contraceptives include pills such as Yarina, Jess, Janine, Lindinet, Chloe, Silhouette and Regulon. There are other firms. In any case, the tablets are prescribed by the gynecologist based on a survey of the patient and the results of her analyzes.
Lifestyle Recommendations
If you believe the reviews, abundant periods can be reduced without the use of drugs (although a visit to the doctor is not recommended to be postponed). To do this, you need:
- Reduce physical activity.
- Minimize the amount of alcohol and coffee consumed, and if possible completely refuse.
- Stop taking vasodilator drugs. But before that, you need to consult your doctor. If possible, pick up analogues.
- Diversify your diet with foods high in iron, vitamin C, and folic acid. They contribute to the normalization of blood circulation.
- Every day, apply a cool heating pad to the lower abdomen (for a maximum of fifteen minutes).
- Do acupressure. It's simple: thirty finger presses on the area of the hollow that connects the upper lip and the base of the nose.
- Do aromatherapy.
Of course, these methods will not give such an effect as injections or taking drugs, but as a prophylaxis, they are quite suitable.
Folk remedies
Sometimes you can’t immediately get to the gynecologist with heavy periods. What to do in this case, how to at least temporarily ease your condition? You can try folk remedies. Here are some simple recipes:
- Take one tablespoon of the following herbs: valerian root, knotweed, white mistletoe and shepherd’s bag. Pour boiling water (0.5 L). Insist for fifteen minutes, and then dilute with a liter of clean water. Boil and strain through cheesecloth. Drink half a glass twice a day.
- Take twenty-five grams of the root of the cinquefoil erect, yarrow and shepherd’s bag, as well as ten grams of oak bark. Pour a liter of water and boil, then insist and strain. Drink twice a day for 1 tbsp.
- 1 tbsp pepper mountaineer pour a glass of boiling water. Boil, strain. Divided into three parts. Drink each of them during the day before eating.
- 1 tsp pour lilac seeds with a glass of boiling water. Give fifteen minutes to insist, sometimes stir. Then put it on a small fire for five minutes and cook. Drink in the amount of 2 tbsp. in the morning.
- Pour twenty grams of dry dioecious herb with a glass of boiling water and boil for fifteen minutes. It is recommended to drink fifty milliliters (one glass) every three hours. Nettle will not only stop bleeding, but also relieve inflammation and resist infections, if any.
- One hundred grams of crushed viburnum bark pour a glass of water. Simmer for one hour. Then drink 2 tbsp. every three hours.
It is worth noting that the listed funds are effective hemostatic in case of heavy periods, even if they are done at home.