Fibroids And Heavy Menstrual Bleeding with Clots and Pain
What to do if you have heavy menstrual bleeding?
Surely almost every woman has encountered this problem throughout her life.
Habitual life is disturbed, in addition to uncomfortable conditions, when the pad or tampon needs to be changed several times a day, anemia from large blood loss can occur.
There is nothing favorable in the fact that the nature of menstruation has changed for the worse.
In addition to small hormonal disruptions that can be resolved naturally, serious diseases of the reproductive system can cause heavy menstrual bleeding with clots, for example, uterine fibroids.
Therefore, if you notice any abnormality occurring for more than one period, consult your doctor to exclude undesirable consequences.
Heavy menstrual bleeding is usually the very first symptom of uterine fibroids. It is with this complaint that patients go to the hospital, where they learn about their diagnosis.
So, why do fibroids cause heavy bleeding and clots?
Uterine Fibroids: Blood Clots And Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Uterine fibroids are a benign tumor that develops from muscle fibers and uterine connective tissue.
Fibroids come in different sizes and shapes, they can be located in different places of the uterus, and each of them develops in its own way, causing various symptoms in each individual case.
Most often, the disease is asymptomatic in the initial stage, but heavy menstrual bleeding is the most characteristic sign of fibroids.
In scientific language this is called menorrhagia.
Menorrhagia is menstrual bleeding that lasts more than 7 days. It can also be bleeding that is very heavy.
Bleeding is becoming more profuse from cycle to cycle, and many women begin to take it for granted, although you should immediately consult a gynecologist.
The danger of menorrhagia is that it can lead to anemia. An increase in menstrual flow suggests that uterine muscles contract worse and worse due to fibroids.
āRelated: Dangerous Fibroid Symptoms
Another alarming symptom of uterine fibroids can also be observed – acyclic (“extraordinary”) uterine bleeding (metrorrhagia).
With metrorrhagia, it is not the tumor that bleeds, but the uterine mucosa due to the proximity of the tumor.
How do you know if you have heavy menstrual bleeding?
If you need to change your tampon or pad after less than 2 hours or you pass clots the size of a quarter or larger, that is heavy bleeding.
Many women do not know that their bleeding is not normal or heavy. If you have this type of bleeding, you should consult a doctor.
Possible causes for heavy bleedings with clots and pain may be:
- Uterine-related problems
- Growths or noncancerous tumors of the uterus called uterine fibroids or myomas
- Cancer of the uterus or cervix
- Certain types of birth controlāfor example, an intrauterine device (IUD)
- Problems related to pregnancy
- Hormone-related problems
- Other illnesses or disorders
In addition, certain medications or medication interactions can cause increased bleeding.
What can not be done if you have heavy menstrual bleeding with clots:
With heavy menstruation, doctors recommend that you adhere to the following recommendations:
- Avoid heavy physical exertion.
- Do not lift weights.
- Refuse the use of strong coffee.
- Do not take a hot bath.
- Do not go to the bathhouse and sauna.
You might suffer from heavy bleeding if you:
- Have a menstrual flow that soaks through one or more pads or tampons every hour for several hours in a row
- Need to change pads or tampons during the night
- Have menstrual periods lasting more than 7 days
- Have a menstrual flow with blood clots the size of a quarter or larger
- Have a heavy menstrual flow that keeps you from living life normally
- Are always tired, low on energy or are short of breath
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: When Should You Call an Ambulance Immediately?
It is very important to distinguish between heavy menstruation and uterine bleeding, in which you should call an ambulance immediately.
A doctor should be called if:
- Severe bleeding started earlier than menstruation.
- Blood turns scarlet.
- Bleeding began after an injury.
- The intensity of secretions continues to grow.
- Bleeding began after menopause.
- The pulse has become weak or fast.
- The skin became pale, severe dizziness and nausea appeared.
- Profuse sweating has begun.
How to stop or reduce bleeding before doctors arrive?
It is necessary to lie down and put your feet on a roller or pillow. This will help not to disturb the circulation of blood in vital organs.
Put an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the lower abdomen. Hold for 10 minutes, you can repeat after a 10-minute break.
Drink a lot. Water or sweet tea will work well.
How to Cure Heavy Menstrual Bleeding?
The method of treatment depends entirely on the cause of the heavy periods.
Birth control pills are often used to treat uterine bleeding caused by hormonal changes or hormonal disorders.
Hormonal contraceptives can be used in women with irregular menstruation to establish regular cycles and prevent excessive growth of the endometrium.
In women with regular menstruation, they can be used to treat excessively heavy menstrual bleeding.
If a woman has fibroids and blood clots, then she can get rid of the disease and all its unpleasant symptoms during just one 30-40 minute nonsurgical procedure – uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).
