The causes of menorrhagia, or prolonged menstrual bleeding, range from harmless and benign to quite serious. Since prolonged menstrual bleeding may be a symptom of serious illness, women should always call a doctor when experiencing this condition. Once a doctor determines the cause of the prolonged bleeding, he can recommend the appropriate treatment to resolve the issue.
Fibroids or Polyps
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous, benign tumors that often appear in the uterus during childbearing years. Polyps are small growths that typically form on the uterine lining, and generally occur as the result of high hormone levels, according to MayoClinic.com. Both conditions may cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is a condition that occurs when tissue of the endometrium moves from the uterine lining into the outer muscular wall of the uterus. This condition is often painful and triggers heavy or prolonged vaginal bleeding. Sexual intercourse is usually painful for women with this condition. It usually occurs in women who have had children and are older than 30, according to MedlinePlus.
Birth Control
Intrauterine devices, commonly referred to as IUDs, may cause prolonged menstrual bleeding for some women. Women who experience abnormal bleeding from their IUD may need to remove the device and seek other birth control methods or take iron tablets to prevent anemia, warns Family Health International. In addition, improperly using hormonal birth control medications may also cause prolonged menstrual bleeding. Women taking birth control medications should always follow the instructions carefully to prevent this from occurring.
Hormonal Imbalances
Many medical conditions may trigger a hormone imbalance, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, entering menopause, thyroid problems, ovary dysfunction and even certain medications. Sometimes hormone imbalances from these conditions lead to prolonged menstrual bleeding, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. When the hormone imbalance is corrected through medication or other treatments, regular menstruation typically resumes.
Cancer
Uterine, ovarian and cervical cancer may cause excessive menstrual bleeding in certain situations, according to MayoClinic.com. Although this is rare, early detection of these cancers improves the likelihood of recovery, so it is important that any woman with excessive menstrual bleeding err on the side of caution and see a doctor as soon as possible.
Other Medical Conditions
Endometriosis, liver or kidney disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, some blood coagulation disorders and other medical conditions may also cause menorrhagia, according to MayoClinic.com. Certain medications, particularly anti-inflammatory medications and anti-coagulants, may also cause prolonged menstrual bleeding. Always talk to a doctor to rule out these conditions.
