Menometrorrhagia

Definition of Menometrorrhagia

This medical condition occurs when a women experiences abnormal uterine bleeding, which is a broad term that is used to identify any form of blood discharge from their uterus. It occurs in up to twenty-four percent of women between the ages of forty and fifty-five. There are two classifications of menometrorrhagia, which are:

• Menorrhagia — this classification causes abnormally, heavy, prolonged menstruation at regular levels
• Metrorrhagia — this classification is characterized by uterine bleeding that occurs at irregular intervals, normally between the anticipated dates of the menstrual periods.

Symptoms of Menometrorrhagia

• Unusually heavy flow
• Disrupted or irregular menstrual cycle
• Have the need to change tampons or pads every two hours or less and even more frequently when they use any devices designed for a heavy flow
• Their menstrual period may last longer than normal, which is normally seven days
• It is not uncommon to have spotting between periods, which can at times become quite heavy
• More than thirty-five days or less than twenty-one days between menstrual periods
• Constant aching around and in your lower abdomen during periods

If there is extreme blood, loss that causes anemia you may experience symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness
• Depression
• Weakness
• Headaches
• Numbness along with a tingling sensation in your fingers and toes
• Decrease in your body temperature
• Poor concentration

Causes of Menometrorrhagia

There are many possible causes of why a woman might experience menometrorrhagia.

• Tumor or other malignant growth
• Tubal pregnancies — this is when the fertilized egg is implanted somewhere other than the main cavity of your uterus. It is also called an ectopic pregnancy
• Uterine fibroids — these are benign, or non-cancerous, tumors that form on the wall of the uterus that develop during the childbearing years
• Endometriosis — this a chronic, and painful, medical condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus attaches itself to areas outside the uterus and creates lesions.
• Hormone imbalances
• Miscarriage
• Major surgery
• Severe trauma to the uterus or surround area
• Hormonal imbalance in the hormones progesterone and estrogen that could result in an excessive production of endometrium, which is the mucus membrane lining your uterus.
• Dysfunction of your ovaries — sometimes during menstruation the production of progesterone is held back due to lack of ovulation. It is also another reason for a hormonal imbalance
• Polyps — these are small benign, or non-cancerous, outgrowths on your uterine wall
• Adenomyosis — this medical condition is when your endometrium sometimes becomes embedded in your uterine muscle
• Intrauterine device (IUDP) — this is a non-hormonal device used for the purpose of birth control
• Cancer, such as uterine, ovarian, primary fallopian tube, cervical, and endometrial cancer
• Inherited bleeding disorders such as Von Willebrand’s Disease, which is a blood coagulation disorder
• Medications like the improper use of various medications including several hormone, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulant medications.
• Thyroid problems
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) — an infection of your reproductive organs
• Liver diseases
• Kidney diseases
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Various stress-related disorders

Diagnosis

If you are experiencing any of the characteristics of menometrorrhagia, you should see your gynecologist for a full exam at which time they will usually take various samples for a laboratory analysis to see what is causing the abnormal bleeding. They would take biopsy samples from your uterus to check for cancer or lesions and blood samples to check your hormone levels. The gynecologist will also rule out pregnancy, including a tubal pregnancy and cancer by doing a pelvic exam, a gynecologic ultrasound, and a pregnancy test. During the pelvic examination, the gynecologist will look for any indication of a mass in the uterus or ovary. They will also do a complete medical history.

Menometrorrhagia Treatment

The exact treatment used will depend on the underlying cause. If it is not treated, menometrorrhagia can become a problem.

• A woman can become anemic if there is a very high rate of bleeding
• If it is caused by cancer, it could become deadly.

If you do not have a history of problematic or irregularity menstrual cycles you should see your gynecologist to find out the cause. If they find your hormonal levels are unbalanced the gynecologist may prescribe birth control pills to help lighten the flow and regulate your menstrual cycles. For at least ten days of each of your menstrual periods you may have to take oral progesterone to also help correct your hormonal imbalance. It is also possible that you may need surgery to correct the abnormal bleeding. If you have uterine fibroids they may do surgery to remove them. This type of surgery is called a myomectomy. As a last resort, in extreme cases you may need to have a hysterectomy.

If it is diagnosed that you have anemia you will normally be given a prescription for an iron supplement. You may also be given this supplement if you just have a low iron level. In addition, to help reduce the menstrual flow your gynecologist may have you take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen and ibuprofen. They can also help with menstrual cramps. If you are using a non-hormonal intrauterine device for birth control you may be switched to a hormonal intrauterine device instead. When using a hormonal intrauterine device it helps to relieve cramping and reduces the menstrual bleeding by releasing a type of progestin called levonorgestrel, which will assist in the thinning of your uterine lining.

Home remedies

Although you can do these things it is still advisable to see your gynecologist to find out the underlying cause so it can be treated.

• Drink two cups of rosehip tea daily to help reduce your heavy menstrual flow by increasing the intake of vitamin C and flavonoids
• Boil fresh parsley leaves in a cup of water, strain, and drink the liquid three times a day during the first three days of your menstrual cycle
• Fenugreek water can help to alleviate menstrual cramps and decrease the bleeding.