Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding)

Menorrhagia refers to excessive menstrual bleeding. This can mean that your bleeding lasts for more than seven days, that the bleeding is very heavy, or a combination of both.

What are the symptoms of menorrhagia?

• Bleeding through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours

• Needing to use double sanitary protection to control your menstrual flow

• Waking up to change sanitary protection during the night

• Bleeding that lasts longer than a week

• Passing blood clots larger than a quarter

• Interference with daily activities

• Symptoms of anemia, including fatigue or shortness of breath

What are the possible causes of menorrhagia?

• Hormone imbalance

• Uterine fibroids

• Polyps

• Adenomyosis

• Intrauterine device (IUD)

• Pregnancy complications

• Cancer

• Inherited bleeding disorders

• Medications

• Liver or kidney disease

What should I do if I experience menorrhagia?

See your Hoag gynecologist or OB/GYN if you experience menorrhagia. Excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding can lead to severe pain and/or anemia.

What are the treatment options for menorrhagia?

Hoag’s multidisciplinary team of board-certified gynecologic and OB/GYN health experts and other subspecialists work together to provide a coordinated approach to treatment options, which may include:

• Hormonal therapy

• Hysteroscopy – your doctor will atypical structures in your uterus, like fibroids and polyps.

• Uterine artery embolization – this procedure stops blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink.

• Myomectomy – your doctor will remove fibroids, while keeping your uterus intact.

• Endometrial ablation – this procedure uses laser, heat, electricity, energy or freezing to destroy the uterus lining.

• Hysterectomy – this is the surgical removal of part or all of the uterus. It may include the removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

  • Laparoscopic hysterectomy is a hysterectomy performed with the aid of a laparoscope, a thin, flexible tube containing a video camera that guides the surgeons as they remove the uterus through the laparoscope tube or through the vagina.

  • Robotic-assisted hysterectomy is a minimally invasive procedure where a surgeon controls the arms of a robot to perform a surgery. The movement is more precise and there is better visibility than conventional laparoscopy. Hoag is a national leader in robotic-assisted gynecologic surgeries.

  • Vaginal hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus through the vagina. It is considered one of the most minimally invasive types of hysterectomies.