Heavy menstrual bleeding is also known as menorrhagia. Menorrhagia and clotting are two very common symptoms of menstruating women. Heavy bleeding can have a variety of causes. The Mayo Clinic lists some of these causes as anovulatory cycles, hormonal imbalance, fibroids, medication and the use of an IUD birth control. Robert B. Albee, M.D. of The Center for Endometriosis Care, notes that clotting often develops when heavy bleeding or pooling of blood occurs. Clotting can thus be normal or abnormal.
Anemia
Anemia can result from a variety of causes. Anemia results in a decreased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen to the cells of the body and remove toxic metabolites, like carbon dioxide from the cells. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) lists excessive and chronic blood loss from heavy menstrual bleeding, among many other scenarios, as a potential cause of anemia. Anemia can have diverse effects on the body that often compromise the function of cardiovascular and respiratory systems. According to the NIH, chest pain, dizziness or light-headedness, fatigue, headaches, issues with concentrating and shortness of breath can occur secondary to anemia. If anemia is not treated by the uses of supplements or, in serious conditions, blood transfusions, complications of anemia can be as serious as a heart attack.
Uterine Cancer
Heavy menstrual bleeding can occur in a woman's cycle whether or not she ovulates. If ovulation does not occur, however, the endometrial lining is under an unopposed estrogen load as compared to progesterone. When this occurs, the unopposed estrogen causes an excessive stimulation of the uterine lining and causes its increased thickness. Up To Date notes that heavy or prolonged uterine bleeding raises concerns about uterine cancer. The concern arises due to endometrial hyperplasia, or overgrowth. The website Cancer Facts notes that uterine cancer, also known as endometrial cancer, is associated with hormone imbalances that favor estrogen as well as estrogen-related risk factors which include a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, late menopause and a history of irregular menses. Non-estrogen related risk factors include obesity, diabetes and hypertension.
Cramping
The uterus naturally contracts in response to declining hormone levels toward the end of the cycle. The Mayo Clinic further states that the uterine contractions help to expel the lining of the uterus and that severe cramping can starve the uterus of oxygen and lead to painful periods. Where heavy menstrual bleeding is a concern, the Mayo Clinic notes that dysmenorrhea or painful menstrual cramps can occur as a complication. The pain of menstrual cramps can be severe enough to warrant prescription pain relievers or, more dramatically, surgery.
