Definition
Menorrhagia can be defined as a complaint of heavy cyclical menstrual blood loss over several consecutive menstrual cycles in a woman of reproductive years, or more objectively, a total menstrual blood loss of more than 80 ml per menstruation
Prevalence
Extremely common 5% of women within the ages of 30 and 49 years old
Atielogy
Fibroids Endometrial polyps Coagulation disorders eg: von Willebrands disease Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Thyroid disease Drug therapy eg: warfarin Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) Endometrial/ cervical carcinoma
Uterus fibroid
Endometrial polyp
Clinical features
History Hallmark of menorrhagia is complaint of regular excessive menstrual loss over several consecutive cycles Discussion of the numbers of the towels and tampons used per day (menstrual pictogram) Impact of the condition on the patients lifestyle and quality of life (severity) Duration of current problem and any other symptoms
Other symptoms : Irregular Intermenstrual or post coital bleeding Change in symptoms Dyspareunia Pelvic or premenstrual pain Excessive bleeding from other sites eg: after tooth extraction
Clinical examination Sign of anemia, obesity, thyroid Abdominal and pelvic examination Swabs and cervical smears
Investigation
1. FBC 2. Coagulation screen 3. Pelvic ultrasound
Pelvic mass palpated Symptoms suggest endometrial polyps Drug therapy failed
Management
When selecting appropriate management for the patient, it is important to consider and discuss: The patients preference of treatment risk/benefits of each option Contraceptive requirements: Family complete? Current contraception? Past medical history: Any contraindication to medical therapies Suitability for an anesthetic
Medical treatment
1. Mefenamic acid and NSAIDS (500mg p.o tds) Advantages: effective anegesia 1st line treatment when dysmenorrhea coexist Disadvantages: contraindicated for duodenal ulcer or severe asthma 2. Tranexamic acid (1g p.o qds) 3. Combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) Advantages: doubles up as a very effective when taken properly Disadvantages: contraindicated for thromboembolism, ages > 35 who smokes, breast cancer, grossly overweight
4. Norethisterone (5-10mg tds on day 6-26) 5. Levonogastrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) 6. GnRH agonist: Gasorelin 3.6mg monthly subcutaneous implant Decapeptyl 3mg monthly s/c or im Buserelin 300g nasal spray tds 7. Danazol
LNG-IUS/mirena
Surgical management
1. Endometrial ablation 2. Hysteroscopic resection polyp / fibroid 3. Hysterectomy
Endometrial ablation
Endometrial ablation
Fibroid resection
Complications
Excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding can lead to other medical conditions, including: Severe pain Infertility Toxic shock syndrome Anemia
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