Similia Homoeo LaboratoryBlog Post

Menorrhagia: demystifying heavy periods:

Menorrhagia is one of the most common gynaecologic complaint seen in most of women and young girls. Almost every women experiences such episode of bleeding at some point of time in their life.

Menorrhagia may start anytime from menarche through reproductive years to menopause.

A few women have almost no issue with their menstrual cycles, however, others suffer every month. A variety of distressing side effects may occur with premenstrual women. These include irritation, mood swings, headaches, bloating, excessive urination, and soreness of the breasts. Periods can be irregular and disturbed, with cramping, heavy flow, anxiety, and discomfort.

Heavy and excessive bleeding during periods is not normal and calls for medical intervention. In medical terminology, excessive bleeding during periods and prolonged periods continuing for more than a week are referred to as Menorrhagia.

WHAT IS MENORRHAGIA? 

Menorrhagia is defined as a cyclic bleeding at normal intervals, the bleeding is either excessive in amount or duration or both.

The term menorrhagia is derived from the greek word

MEN meaning Menses and RRHAGIA meaning burst forth.

Menorrhagia interferes with a womens physical, emotional and social quality of life.

Excessive release or flow of blood during the menstrual cycle or periods is referred to as menorrhagia. It is an abnormally long-lasting and heavy menstrual period at regular intervals. It usually occurs in premenopausal women, affecting their overall health, decreasing the quality of life, weakness, and many interruptions in their lifestyle.

Tackling menorrhagia: to begin with let us differentiate normal periods from abnormal ones:

A normal menstrual blood loss is 50 to 80 ml and usually does not exceed more than 100 ml.

In menorrhagia, the menstrual cycle is unaltered but the duration and quantity of menstrual bleed are increased.

Menorrhagia is essentially a symptom and not a disease in itself.

Normal control of menstrual bleed

Once the menstrual bleeding starts the platelet forms clots in the opened vessels. Prostaglandins causes myometrial contractions and constricts the endometrial vessels. The repair of endothelial regeneration begins on 3rd and 4th day of period, by growth of epithelial cells from the open endometrial glands aided by vasculal endothelial epidermal and fibroblastic growth factor.

In menorrhagia or excessive bleeding with regular menstrual cycles, the Hypothalamopituitary ovarian axis is intact but endometrial changes get altered.

What are Ovulatory and Anovulatory Cycles?

A more logical approach is to divide the abnormal uterine bleeding into those patterns associated with ovulatory and anovulatory cycles.

Ovulatory Cycles

Normal menstrual bleeding with ovulatory cycle ia spontaneous, regular, cyclic, predictable and frequently associated with discomfort that is dysmenorrhoea.

Anovulatory Cycles

Uterine bleeding that is unpredictable with respect to the amount, onset and duration and is usually painless, as in dysfunctional uterine bleeding like menorrhagia.

CAUSES OF MENORRHAGIA

The most common cause lies in Disturbed Hypothalamo-Pitutary-Ovarian axis resulting in condition like polycystic ovaries PCOS, Immature development of organs results in anovulation in the earlier years, unapposed oestrogen causing endometrial hyperplasia. As the girl matures the normal menstrual cycle are established.

General Causes – Blood dyscrasia, coagulation disorders, thrombocytopenic purpura, severe anaemia, leukamia, Von willebrand disease.

Uterine Causes –  Uterine fibroids, fibroidal polyps, adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, endometriosis etc.

Pelvic inflammatory diseases can cause menorrhagia.

Use of Intrauterine devices, it is seen that 5 to 10% of women using intra uterine devices suffer from menorrhagia in 1st few months.

Pregnancy complications include Single, heavy, late period may be due to miscarriage. Another cause of heavy bleeding during pregnancy includes location of placenta , low lying placenta or placenta previa.

Malignancies – Uterine cancer or cervical cancer can cause heavy bleeding.

Medications– Certain medications can cause heavy menstrual bleeding.

Thyroid dysfunctions can also be one of the cause for menorhhagia.

Symptoms of MENORRHAGIA

• Heavy vaginal bleeding resulting in saturation of one ore more sanitary pad, requring double protection, and need to sanitary pad more frequently.
• Bleeding along with passage of clots and usually lasts for more than a week affecting the routine of a women.
• Pelvic pain though not present in all cases of menorrhagia is frequently encountered symptom of menorrhagia. This may be seen in menorrhagia due to infections and conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis and pregnancy related complications.
• If the patient presents with pelvic infections there may be other symptoms like fever, chills, copious vaginal discharge.
• Excessive and prolonged menorrhagia leads to anaemia. Usually the patient manifests in the form of excessive weakness, easy fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath.
• Menorrhagia caused due to hormonal imbalance in diseases like polycystic ovarian disease, patient may present with hirusitism, acne etc.
• Delayed appearance of menstrual bleeding phase with Heavy bleeding is due to anovulatory dysfunction of ovary with prolonged influence of Oestrogen
• Frequent / Early appearance of menstrual bleeding phase i.e. interval less than 21days with:
• Normal bleeding – is always an anovulatory cycle.
• Heavy Bleeding – is due to ovarian dysfunction

Diagnosis if menorrhagia:

• Diagnosis of menorrhagia can be done based on the complete medical history of the patient and conducting a complete physical examination including a pelvic examination.
• Other diagnostic procedures for menorrhagia may include
• Routine blood examination
• Pelvic ultra sound scan is the first line of diagnostic tool for identifying structural abnormalities.
• Hysteroscopy, includes visual examination of canal of cervix and interior of uterus using an instrument inserted in the vagina.
• Pap test to rule out neoplasia.

Taking control off ourselves: let us assess if we have menorrhagia:

1. We should note the total duration of bleeding and how much time it is heavy bleed.
2. Assess the length and duration of cycle.
3. How often or how frequently the patient has to change her sanitary pad.
4. Enquire about the passage of clots. Clots represent heavy flow and are painful as they pass through the cervix.
5. Look for any symptoms suggestive of anemia like easy fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness etc.
6. Enquire whether menorrhagia has an impact on her personal life and is hampering her day to day activities.
7. Enquire about any past medical illness including clotting disorders, thyroid dysfunctions or any other gynaecological history. 

Complications of excessive uterine bleeding

Heavy blood loss causes anemia by a reduction in the number of circulating red blood cells. It is the most common complication of menorrhagia. The skin becomes pale, the body feels weak. 

You may feel behavioral changes like poor concentration, brain fag, depression, sadness, loss of appetite and fatigue.

Intense pain. Mostly dysmenorrhea is seen along with heavy menstrual bleeding, experienced as painful menstrual cramps. Sometimes the cramps are so intense that requires the aid of medical supervision.

Ancient wisdom, modern solutions : homeopathy to the rescue from menorrhagia:

Women of menopausal age experience heavy bleeding known as flooding. The cause can be as simple as a little exertion to pathological conditions like fibroid in uterus and hypothyroidism. Excessive bleeding can also be a result of an inflammatory condition in the uterus. Made of natural substances, Homeopathic medicines can cure Menorrhagia with zero side effects. Homeopathic treatment offers complete recovery from heavy bleeding during periods in women.

As a treatment for menorrhagia, homeopathy medicines have shown proven results. The Homeopathic remedies maintain the emotional, mental, physiological, and immune reactions of the person to guarantee long-lasting and permanent help. The medicines will necessarily have to be prescribed by a doctor.

Homeopathy: a holistic solution for menorrhagia:

Homeopathic medicines are a very safe remedy for heavy bleeding during periods. Homeopathic treatment can completely cure women who experience heavy periods. To ensure that the woman suffering from heavy bleeding during periods gets the right Homeopathic treatment, there are a few key characteristics that are taken into account.

The first thing to notice is the colour of the blood: whether it is bright red, pale, dark or black. It is also important to know about the fluidity of blood — whether the blood is fluid, clotted or both. 

The next characteristic to notice is whether the blood flow is oozing, gushing or has any other form.

Whether there is any pain associated with bleeding is another important question to be kept in mind before recommending the Homeopathic medicine. 

Each woman experiencing heavy periods is also asked whether there are additional symptoms like nausea, vomiting, loose stool or headache. 

Attention should also be paid to finding out any underlying cause. 

The appropriate Homeopathic medicine is recommended after going through all these details. It may sound that a lot of questions are being asked, but remember, selecting the right Homeopathic medicine is important as it will do wonders to cure heavy and excessive bleeding during periods.

Healing hands!! Get rid of menorrhagia with Similia India's wonder cures:

When it comes to homeopathic remedies for any ailments, Similia homeo laboratory is one of the best resourceful abode. 

Similia homeo laboratory's manufacturing unit and quality control lab is one of the best in India. When one's priority is obtaining remedies with maximum efficacy from a trusted source that's where Similia India's remedies stands out as the best option for homeopathic remedies

Similia homeo laboratory uses best quality herbs imported from reputed sources for making its medicines. Strict and stringent protocols are followed during every step of medicine manufacture to ensure the quality and effectiveness.

From Mother nature's medicine cabinet: Homeopathic remedies from Similia India for Menorrhagia:

Any disease can be cured with the power of nature let alone menorrhagia. With the remedies that are power packed with the magic of nature, Similia homeo laboratory provides the best available cure for menorrhagia. Let us look deep into few remedies with indications:

Sabina: Best Homeopathic Remedy for Heavy Bleeding during Periods

Sabina is the top Homeopathic medicine for controlling heavy bleeding during periods. This Homeopathic remedy is very beneficial when the bleeding during periods is both excessive and prolonged. A few women may also have an early appearance of periods before the expected date. The bleeding increases with the slightest motion. Regarding the character of blood for using Homeopathic medicine Sabina, it is partly fluid and partly clotted blood flow. The bleeding is accompanied by pain in the sacrum that radiates to pubes. Sabina is also a Homeopathic remedy of great help for women who have excessive bleeding during menopause.

Ferrum Metallicum: Homeopathic Medicine for Heavy Bleeding of Watery Character during Periods

Homeopathic medicine Ferrum Metallicum is useful in all those cases of heavy bleeding where excessive bleeding of very thin, even watery, form is experienced by women. Ferrum Metallicum is thus the ideal Homeopathic treatment for menstrual bleeding which is excessive and thin. The periods also continue for a long duration in addition to heaviness. Homeopathic medicine Ferrum Metallicum, or Ferrum Met as it is known, is also very beneficial for weak and anemic (lack of blood) women who suffer from heavy bleeding during periods.

China: Top Homeopathic Medicine for Weakness after Heavy Bleeding during Periods

Homeopathic medicine China is the best cure for women who experience weakness, even to a degree that they faint, after prolonged heavy menstrual bleeding. The bleeding is substantial and painful. Clots of dark blood may pass during bleeding. Homeopathic remedy China has twin benefits: it halts the long continuing heavy bleeding and also helps the women recover promptly from the weakness and exhaustion due to blood loss. For women who feel weak as a result of heavy bleeding during periods, Homeopathic medicine China never disappoints.

Borax: Homeopathic Medicine for Gripping Pain during Heavy Menstrual Bleeding:

Borax is a Homeopathic remedy of great help for women who experience intense pain in the womb and lower abdomen during menstrual bleeding. The pain from the abdomen may extend to the lower back. Profuse bleeding during periods and pain also result in nausea in a few women. Borax thus is the best Homeopathic medicine when women experience painful and excessive bleeding during periods along with nausea.

Belladonna: Homeopathic Remedy for Pain in Hips during Heavy Bleeding in Periods

Belladonna is the top Homeopathic cure for heavy bleeding during periods with pain in hips. The blood is mostly bright red in colour and flows abundantly. A few women complain that the blood feels hot too. Belladonna is also a Homeopathic remedy of great help for women who have a severe headache with excessive bleeding during periods.

Calcarea Carb: Homeopathic Medicine for Vertigo During Heavy Bleeding in Periods

Calcarea Carb is a highly beneficial Homeopathic remedy when vertigo accompanies heavy bleeding during periods. Calcarea Carb is recommended when the periods are excessive and the duration is prolonged. In patients of hypothyroidism with heavy periods, Homeopathic medicine Calcarea Carb is of great help. The woman may also have very cold feet with heavy bleeding. Homeopathic medicine Calcarea Carb also proves its effectiveness in controlling excess bleeding due to tumours in uterus like in fibroid or polyp uterus.

 Millefolium and Ipecac for Bright Red, Heavy Bleeding during Periods

Millefolium is a very helpful Homeopathic cure for halting heavy bleeding during periods when the blood is bright red in colour. The periods are excessive as well as prolonged. Homeopathic medicine Ipecac works well when bright red blood gushes out in excess from the womb. Nausea is a constant companion with heavy bleeding in women needing Ipecac.

 Cyclamen, Crocus and Hamamelis for Dark Heavy Bleeding during Periods

Cyclamen, Crocus and Hamamelis are very helpful Homeopathic medicines for stopping heavy bleeding during periods when the blood gushing out is dark in colour or blackish.  Cyclamen is the best Homeopathic remedy when the blood is dark or black in colour and clotted. Crocus is the ideal Homeopathic medicine when the woman experiences heavy black bleeding and the blood forms long strings. Hamamelis is the best Homeopathic treatment when the bleeding is heavy and dark or black in colour in the fluid form.

Managing menorrhagia naturally: tips and tricks:

In addition to working with a doctor, some home remedies and supportive tools can help reduce symptoms and make a heavy period easier to manage.

Some useful measures like general measures to improve the health status of patient.

• Maintain a menstrual calendar noting duration and extent of blood loss.
• Adequate rest during menses.
• Advice for proper diet with a healthy and balanced diet to regulate the menstrual cycle. Choose a diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meat, fish, food rich in protein vitamins, iron, calcium.
• Exercise regularly – Besides improving blood circulation, exercise also helps to maintain weight. As fat cells release excessive oestrogen from the body, exercise helps to maintain an optimum hormone balance.
• Use a menstrual cup
• Try a heating pad
• Wear period panties to bed

Navigating the emotional till!! Menorrhagia and mental health:

Reproductive hormones, like oestrogen, progesterone and gonadotrophins (LH and FSH), fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, and this can have pronounced effects on physiology, mood and wellbeing.

Heavy menstrual bleeding is associated with depression diagnosis in female adolescents. The use of hormonal contraception was not associated with depression diagnosis in multivariable analysis, covarying heavy menstrual bleeding, age, body mass index, anxiety, sexual activity, and substance use. As hormonal contraception is often used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding may be partially driving previous reports of increased depression risk in those taking hormonal contraception.

A better understanding of the mechanisms linking the menstrual cycle to mental health could help to identify women who might benefit from woman-centred psychological therapy (focused around self-acceptance and self-care) or hormonal treatment rather than interventions traditionally used to treat mental health issues, like antidepressant medication.

This is where the benefits of homeopathy stands out. In homeopathy the treatment is performed assessing the physical and mental condition of the patient. The right tackling of the root cause helps to rectify the condition as a whole.

Break the silence and find relief:

Even today in our society voicing out menstrual issues is considered a taboo. More awareness should be created among the people to identify the complications related to menstrual health. Proper medical care facilities and treatment will encourage more women to come out and get rectified of their condition.

Anyone experiencing menstrual bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days or requires them to change their pad or tampon every hour for multiple hours in a row should speak with a doctor. The doctor can help diagnose the cause and provide treatment. Menorrhagia has a wide range of potential causes. It can be the result of structural issues within the uterus or a hormonal imbalance. It can also be caused by several serious underlying health conditions.

We from Similia India hope that this blog has been of help in creating at least a minimal impact and has been of help in finding a trusted solution for your condition. All of us should play our role in empowering women and helping to overcome difficulties like these.

Blog Prepared by Dr Noreen Naushad ,Manufacturing Chemist, Similia India