Common Causes Of Heavy Or Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding
Everyone's menstrual cycle is different. Some people bleed only for a few days per month, while other people bleed for a week or more. If you suddenly develop heavy bleeding, if you bleed between your menstrual periods, or if your periods last much longer than usual, make an appointment with a gynecology services provider. Here are some common causes of heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding and what you can do about them.
Causes Of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Hormonal fluctuations can cause your periods to become irregular. This means that you may experience heavy bleeding during your cycle and your period may last for up to a couple of weeks. Long-lasting periods and heavy bleeding is often a sign of peri-menopause, however, stress can also alter your hormones.
Dietary supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, garlic supplements, and magnesium supplements can also cause heavy and prolonged periods. Even eating large amounts of raw garlic can cause you to bleed more during your periods as a result of its high allicin content.
Certain gynecological conditions such as endometriosis can contribute to heavy menstrual bleeding. Endometriosis refers to when the endometrial tissue that lines your uterus starts growing outside of the uterus such as on the ovaries and the bladder. In addition to heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis can also cause debilitating menstrual cramps, back pain, and leg pain. Endometriosis is a benign and relatively common disorder and is typically very treatable.
Treatments For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Your gynecologist can check your hormone levels to determine if a hormonal imbalance is the reason for your heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. If it is, a treatment plan will be developed to help normalize your hormone levels so that your menstrual bleeding patterns return to normal.
If your heavy or prolonged periods are related to the dietary supplements that you are taking, consuming a lower dosage or stopping them altogether may help resolve your symptoms. If your physician believes that your abnormal bleeding is related to endometriosis or another gynecological condition such as uterine fibroids, they may recommend a transvaginal ultrasound or exploratory gynecological surgery such as a laparoscopy procedure to evaluate your reproductive organs.
If you experience heavy bleeding during your menstrual periods or if your periods last longer than normal, make an appointment with your gynecologist. Once the reason for your bleeding has been revealed, your physician will recommend a plan of care that will resolve your symptoms.
For more information about gynecology care, contact a local company.
