How Do I Treat Heavy Menstrual Bleeding?

Heavy menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia, includes heavy periods and prolonged periods. 

You might have menorrhagia if you bleed for more than a week, pass blood clots larger than a quarter, need to double up on sanitary products or go through more than one pad in an hour. 

Not surprisingly, heavy menstrual bleeding can take a toll on your quality of life, limit your activities, and contribute to anemia and fatigue.

So what can you do about it? Dr. Gene Krishingner Jr. and our compassionate, expert team here at OB/GYN Care Orlando in Oviedo, Florida, shape your treatment plan based on the underlying cause of your heavy menstrual bleeding. 

Here’s more on the potential causes of heavy bleeding and how we can help you find relief.

What causes heavy menstrual bleeding?

There are many reasons why your period may be heavier or longer than normal. The following conditions can contribute to menorrhagia:

• Polyps
• Adenomyosis 
• Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Cancer
• Bleeding disorders
• Ovulatory dysfunction 
• Endometritis or other infections
• Side effects from medication

These conditions may be confirmed (or ruled out) after a comprehensive physical exam, a review of your symptoms, and an analysis of lab work and imaging tests such as ultrasounds. We may also review the results of a hysteroscopy. 

How are heavy periods treated?

Once he determines the source of your heavy bleeding, Dr. Krishingner designs your treatment plan. Heavy periods can be treated with medication, hormonal birth control, and surgery.

Medication might be prudent if your bleeding is related to a bleeding disorder. Surgery may help if cysts, fibroids, or polyps are causing your symptoms. Removing fibroids, for example, can alleviate heavy bleeding, painful periods, pain during sex, and fibroid-related constipation.

Though, you’re not out of options if the treatments above aren’t enough to ease your heavy bleeding. Here at OB/GYN Care Orlando, we offer a cutting-edge treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding: endometrial ablation with NovaSure® procedure. 

How does endometrial ablation help with menstrual bleeding?

Each month, your body sheds the innermost layer of your uterus during your period. Endometrial ablation combats menstrual bleeding by targeting 一 and destroying 一 this layer with a one-time application of radiofrequency energy. 

The heat of the radiofrequency waves damages the layer so it doesn't shed so much during your monthly period. Endometrial ablation can make your period lighter or stop it altogether. 

Endometrial ablation is a permanent solution to heavy bleeding, so you should only consider it if your family is complete. Without the endometrial layer, your body can’t safely carry a pregnancy to term. 

We can help you with permanent birth control solutions, including tubal ligation, salpingectomy, or vasectomy for your partner.

The many advantages of endometrial ablation include:

• It’s a minimally invasive procedure performed in our office 一 no surgery needed!
• It delivers lasting and effective results 
• It works even if you’ve tried other treatments, such as medications 
• It’s a quick, five-minute procedure with no need for follow-up treatments

Regardless of what’s causing your heavy periods, the team at OB/GYN Care Orlando uses a patient-centric approach to help you get relief. To learn more about treating heavy menstrual bleeding or to learn more about NovaSure, call us at 321-304-6249 or book your visit online.