Hypermenorrhea
Hypermenorrhea Causes
Causes may be because of abnormal blood clotting, disruption of normal hormonal regulation of periods or disorders of the endometrial lining of the uterus.
Hypermenorrhea Definition
Hypermenorrhea (also know as menorrhagia) is when menstruation is excessively long-lasting or heavy.
Hypermenorrhea Diagnosis
The doctor will most likely ask about the patient's medical history and menstrual cycles. She may be asked to keep a diary of bleeding and nonbleeding days, including notes on how heavy her flow was and how much sanitary protection she needed to control it. The doctor will do a physical exam and may recommend one or more tests or procedures such as: blood tests, pap test, endmetrial biopsy, and ultrasound scan.
Hypermenorrhea Symptoms and Signs
The signs and symptoms of menorrhagia may include: menstrual flow that soaks through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours; the need to use double sanitary protection to control menstrual flow; the need to change sanitary protection during the night; menstrual periods lasting longer than seven days; menstrual flow that includes large blood clots; heavy menstrual flow that interferes with regular lifestyle; constant pain in the lower abdomen during menstrual periods; and tiredness, fatigue or shortness of breath (symptoms of anemia).
Hypermenorrhea Treatment
Where an underlying cause can be identified, treatment may be targeted at this. Clearly heavy periods at the beginning and end of a women's reproductive years may settle spontaneously (the menopause being the cessation of periods).