Excessive menstrual bleeding, also referred to as menorrhagia or hypermenorrhea, may disrupt normal daily activities for a woman. Symptoms of excessive menstrual bleeding include soaking a pad or tampon hourly for two to three hours and bleeding lasting longer than a week, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Without treatment, women may lose too much blood and become anemic owing to low iron levels in the body. Treatment options vary, depending on the cause of the bleeding.
Medications
Several different types of medication may help treat excessive menstrual bleeding and the underlying cause for the condition. One cause of heavy menstrual bleeding is excessive cramping of the uterus. Doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, can help decrease uterine cramping during episodes of heavy bleeding, in turn decreasing blood loss and blood clots. These medications decrease blood loss by 50 to 80 percent, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Low-dose birth control pills can help regulate menstrual cycles for women who experience excessive bleeding related to long cycles. An intrauterine device that releases a hormone called levonorgestrel can make the endometrium---the lining of the uterus---thinner, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Progesterone supplements can help treat hormonal imbalances for women with conditions that stop ovulation. The progesterone helps regulate the menstrual cycle and decrease heavy bleeding.
Minor Surgical Procedures
Several surgical procedures can help control and reduce heavy menstrual bleeding if medications fail to control the condition. A dilation and curettage is a procedure in which a physician opens the cervix and uses special tools to scrape the lining of the uterus to decrease bleeding.
Polyps---small, benign tissue projections growing on the uterus lining---occur as result of high levels of hormones and can cause heavy bleeding during menstruation. Surgical removal of a polyp during a dilation and curettage can help decrease excessive bleeding.
An endometrial ablation is the removal of the lining of the uterus. Ablation methods include freezing, using a heated fluid in a balloon or using electrosurgery to destroy the endometrium. An endometrial ablation is an option for women who do not wish to become pregnant, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy, or surgical removal of the uterus, is usually the last resort for treatment of excessive bleeding. A woman can no longer become pregnant after the removal of the uterus. The operation may include the removal of the fallopian tubes, ovaries and cervix as well. A woman and her physician will decide the best option for her case. Possible complications of a hysterectomy, while rare, include infection, blood clots in the leg and injury to other organs in the pelvis and lower abdomen, according to Medline Plus.
