What Is Period Flooding

Menstrual bleeding can be heavy for some women or may last more than a couple of days. Menorrhagia was the old name for this condition. Menstrual heavy bleeding is a concern for many women. Most women do not experience enough blood loss to qualify as heavy menstrual bleeds.

Women may experience menstrual bleeding before or after their period, or even earlier or later than they expect. This type of bleeding can be called irregular menstrual or abnormal uterine blood.

Blood flow and cramping can make it difficult to perform your normal activities when you have heavy menstrual bleed. Speak to your doctor if you are dreading your period due to heavy menstrual bleeds. Many treatments can help.

Symptoms

Heavy menstrual bleeding can be characterized by:

• Soaking in one or more sanitary tampons or pads every hour, for several consecutive hours.
• Double protection is needed to regulate your menstrual flow.
• Get up in the middle of the night to change tampons or sanitary pads.
• Bleeding more than one week.
• Blood clots that are larger than a quarter.
• Menstruation can be a reason to limit daily activities.
• Blood loss can cause fatigue, shortness of breath or tiredness.

When to visit a doctor

If you:

• The bleeding is so severe that it soaks one pad or tampon every hour for at least two hours.
• Bleeding during periods or abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Vaginal bleeding occurs after menopause.

Sometimes, it is difficult to determine the cause of heavy menstrual bleeds. There are a few conditions that can cause heavy menstrual blood. These include:

• Out of balance hormones: In the typical menstrual period, estrogen and progesterone are in balance. The hormones are responsible for the formation of uterine lining. Endometrium is another name for the uterine lining. This lining sheds during menstruation. When hormones become out of balance, this lining can become too thick. It will shed through heavy menstrual bleeds or unplanned bleeding between periods.
• Hormonal imbalances can be caused by a number of conditions. This includes obesity, insulin resistance and thyroid problems.
• Ovaries problems: The ovaries may not release an egg at all during a period. Anovulation is another name for this. This occurs when the body does not produce progesterone as it normally would during a period. This can lead to a hormonal imbalance, which may cause heavy menstrual bleeds or bleeding unexpectedly between periods.
• Uterine Fibroids: These tumours appear during pregnancy. These tumors are benign and not cancerous. Uterine fibroids can cause menstrual blood loss that is heavier than usual or bleeding for a longer period of time.
• Polyps: Small growths that grow on the lining of your uterus can cause heavy menstrual blood or bleeding for a prolonged period. They can cause bleeding in between periods. After menopause, polyps can also cause bleeding or spotting. These growths aren’t cancerous.
• Adenomyosis: This condition is characterized by the growth of glands that originate from the lining the uterus into the wall itself. This condition can lead to heavy bleeding and painful period.
• Also known as an IUD, the intrauterine device is a small device that fits inside the uterus: The use of hormone-free birth control can cause heavy menstrual blood flow. IUD Birth control. Consult your doctor to discuss other options for birth control. IUD Progestin can help reduce heavy menstrual blood loss.
• Complications during pregnancy: An irregular, heavy period can be caused by a miscarriage. The unusual position of the placenta – which provides nutrition for the baby and eliminates waste – can also cause heavy bleeding. It is possible that the placenta is too low, or even covering the opening to the uterus (cervix). This condition is also known as placenta prévia.
• Cancer: Cancers of the uterus and cervix may cause abnormal bleeding or unexpected or heavy menstrual periods. These cancers may occur before or after the menopause. Cervical cancer is more likely to occur in women who have previously had abnormal Pap tests.
• Genetic bleeding disorder: Some bleeding diseases that run in families can cause heavy menstrual blood. Von Willebrand’s Disease, in which blood does not properly clot, is one of these.
• Medicines: Certain medicines can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Some hormonal medications, such as birth-control pills containing estrogen and progestin, can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. These medications can help reduce menstrual blood loss, but they may also cause bleeding in between periods. Some blood-clotting medicines can also cause heavy menstrual bleeds. These include warfarin, enoxaparin, apixaban and rivaroxaban.
• Other medical conditions: There are other medical conditions that can cause heavy bleeding during menstruation. These include liver, thyroid and kidney disease.

Risk factors

The risk factors are affected by your age and medical conditions. The body produces progesterone when an egg is released from the ovaries. The hormone progesterone plays a major role in maintaining regular periods. Progesterone production is reduced if no eggs are released. It can cause heavy menstrual or irregular bleeding.

When an egg does not release during a monthly period, teens may experience an irregular cycle or heavy bleeding. Most teenagers will have cycles with no egg release in the first year following their first period.

Heavy menstrual blood loss is usually caused by uterine problems in older women. Fibroids, polyps, and adenomyosis are some of the most common. Other problems can also cause heavy bleeding during menstruation. Some examples include cancer in the uterus or a bleeding disorder, as well as side effects from medicines and liver or kidney diseases.

Complications

If your menstrual period is excessively heavy or prolonged, it can cause other medical conditions. Other medical conditions that can be caused by excessive menstrual bleeding include:

Anemia.

Heavy bleeding during menstruation can lead to anemia. Anemia occurs when the body does not have enough red blood cell to transport oxygen to the tissues. Hemoglobin is used to measure the number of red cells. Hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cell that transports oxygen throughout the body, is measured by hemoglobin.

The body attempts to compensate for the loss of red blood cells. The body uses its iron reserves to produce more hemoglobin, which is needed to transport oxygen to the tissues. Iron levels can be too low if you have heavy menstrual bleeding. Iron deficiency can result from this.

Headaches and fatigue are common symptoms. Iron deficiency is a problem that can be exacerbated by heavy periods.

Extreme pain.

You may also experience painful menstrual cramps along with heavy bleeding. Also known as dysmenorrhea. If your cramps are making it difficult to perform your daily tasks, talk to your doctor.