Menorrhea ,do we need a doctor visit

Menorrhea do we need a doctor visit

Women need a doctors visit for menorrhea but can prevent or reduce effect of bleeding if made proper preparation. Steps can be taken to prevent anemia caused by blood loss by taking foods rich in iron. Minor bleeding without any underline cause can be treated by visiting pharmacy and getting some over the counter medication like mefenamic acid which can reduce the pain and prevents the production of prostaglandin which is linked to the blood loss.

Introduction and Symptoms

Excessive menstruation, which is clinically called menorrhagia, is a condition where the blood passed out during a woman’s period is abnormally heavy or extensive. Symptoms include

  • Hourly changes of blood-soaked pads/tampons.
  • Blood clots being passed together with normal blood.
  • More than 7 days of menstruation.
  • Fatigue from excessive loss.

Risk factors or causes

A common cause of menorrhagia is insufficient progesterone, which occurs when ovaries fail to release an egg. This causes an excessive production of uterus linings, which bleed and are passed out in menstruation. Other causes include use of intrauterine devices (IUD), complications in pregnancy, fibroids, certain cancers, and certain medications.

Treatments

Treatment may not be needed if excessive menstruation doesn’t disrupt your life and there are no underlying diseases responsible. Otherwise, the treatment options available are either non-surgical (medications) or surgical.

Medications

Tranexamic acid tablets cause blood in the womb to clot, thereby reducing bleeding. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce the body’s production of prostaglandin, a hormone-like substance involved with menorrhagia. The combined oral contraceptive pill (the pill) contains the female hormones estrogen and progestogen, and aids hormonal balance in the body. It not only regulates menstrual flow, but also acts as a contraceptive by preventing ovulation. Oral norethisterone is a synthetic/artificial progestogen. It curbs excessive development of the uterus-lining, thus decreasing bleeding. Medroxyprogesterone-acetate is an injected progestogen that also controls uterus-lining growth to reduce menorrhagia. Gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-a) is injected to treat fibroids, an underlying cause of excessive menstruation. Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is a tiny device that releases progestogen after being inserted into the womb, which in turn controls uterus-lining growth to reduce excessive bleeding.

Surgery

Different surgical procedures are available if medications can’t bring the desired result. They include uterine artery embolization (UAE), endometrial ablation, myomectomy, and hysterectomy.

Self care

There are self-care strategies that can be employed to manage excessive menstruation, with little or no need for a doctor visit. Eat organic foods that have not been injected with hormones. Eat foods that are rich in iron or take daily iron supplements. This will replace the iron lost from excess blood-flow and prevent anaemia. Aspirin is linked to menorrhagia, so use an alternative pain medicine like ibuprofen (Advil) to relieve menstrual cramps. Change tampons or pads within 4 to 6 hours to avoid infection. During times when periods are normal, engaging in aerobic exercises will help in preventing menorrhagia. Getting plenty of sleep also aids the body to function optimally. Valerian root, which is a botanical supplement, helps in relaxation and control of uterine spasms. Natural progesterone creams are also available, which bring back balance and hormone regulation to reduce heavy blood-flow.

Drugs used in treating

The drugs used in treatment are grouped into NSAIDs, combination oral contraceptives, progestin, estrogen, GnRH-a, androgens, and arginine vasopressin derivatives. The medication that will best suit a particular case of menorrhagia depends on any underlying causes of the problem. Your healthcare practitioner will determine the suitable medication for you.

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