Heavy menstrual bleeding, medically known as menorrhagia, affects many women. It can be inconvenient and uncomfortable and interfere with your daily activities.
For women trying to conceive, heavy periods can indicate an underlying condition, such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis, that can make it harder to get pregnant.
The good news is Dr. Gene Krishingner Jr. and our team here at OB/GYN Care Orlando in Oviedo, Florida, offer many treatments for menorrhagia. If you need help managing heavy periods, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can help.
Heavy periods have several underlying causes, and identifying the root cause is key to determining appropriate treatment. Potential causes include:
These conditions are often diagnosed after a review of your symptoms, a physical exam, and in some cases, diagnostic imaging tests such as ultrasounds.
Your treatment options depend on your underlying health conditions, hormone levels, and family planning goals. Some treatments for heavy periods are suitable only when your family is complete.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control pills, patches, or intrauterine devices (IUDs), can regulate and lighten menstrual flow.
A non-hormonal treatment, tranexamic acid, can help reduce heavy bleeding by promoting blood clotting.
Depending on the cause and severity of your condition, we might recommend surgical procedures such as myomectomy (uterine fibroids removal) or hysterectomy (uterus removal).
Endometrial ablation is a procedure to treat heavy menstrual bleeding. It involves removing or destroying the uterine lining (endometrium) to reduce or eliminate excessive bleeding. Ablation targets the endometrial tissue to achieve lighter and more manageable periods.
Common ablation techniques include:
Ablation may not be right for you if you’re still growing your family. If your family is complete, you need a permanent form of birth control, such as tubal ligation.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by managing stress, exercising regularly, and following a balanced diet can contribute to overall well-being and potentially alleviate heavy periods.
Exercise, in particular, may help lighten your flow if you lose weight. Excess body fat can increase estrogen and contribute to heavy periods.
Some women find relief from heavy periods through complementary therapies like acupuncture, herbal remedies, or dietary supplements. Never start taking new supplements unless directed to do so.
Because women with heavy periods are at risk for iron-deficiency anemia, Dr. K may recommend iron supplements. Iron supplements alone won’t cure heavy periods but can help stop the symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue.
Experiencing heavy periods can be challenging, physically and emotionally, but you’re not alone on this journey. Solutions are available.
Call Dr. K at 321-304-6249 to schedule an appointment or book your visit online today.
