Also known as Menorrhagia, Hypermenorrhea, Excessive Menstrual Flow, Excessive Menstruation, and Heavy Periods
Menorrhagia or Hematomunia is an abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual period at regular intervals. Menorrhagia can be caused by abnormal blood clotting, disruption of normal hormonal regulation of periods, or disorders of the endometrial lining of the uterus. Depending upon the cause, it may be associated with abnormally painful periods (dysmenorrhea).
Source: WikipediaThe most common causes of heavy menstrual flow are idiopathic excessive menstruation, uterine fibroids, and idiopathic irregular menstrual cycle. Other possible causes, such as vulvodynia, are more rare.
Within all the people who go to their doctor with heavy menstrual flow, 54% report having painful menstruation, 39% report having unpredictable menstruation, and 31% report having pelvic pain.
Patients with heavy menstrual flow often receive pelvis exam, hematologic tests, complete blood count, examination of breast, ultrasonography, standard pregnancy test, biopsy and mammography .
The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with heavy menstrual flow include medroxyprogesterone, ortho cyclen, portia, norethindrone (loestrin fe), modicon, sevoflurane, etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol unidentified, drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol, desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol, nitrous oxide, ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel, ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin and levonorgestrel .
Medroxyprogesterone | $11 (28 days) | |
Ortho Cyclen | $26 (28 days) | |
Portia | $31 (28 days) | |
Norethindrone (Loestrin Fe) | $59 (28 days) | |
Modicon | $38 (28 days) | |
Sevoflurane | ||
Nitrous Oxide | ||
Levonorgestrel | Under $1 (0 days) |
Groups of people at highest risk for heavy menstrual flow include age 30-44 years sex == female. On the other hand, age 75+ years, sex == male, age 60-74 years, age 1-4 years, and age < 1 years almost never get heavy menstrual flow.
< 1 years | 0.0x | |
1-4 years | 0.0x | |
5-14 years | 0.4x | |
15-29 years | 1.3x | |
30-44 years | 2.7x | |
45-59 years | 1.1x | |
60-74 years | 0.0x | |
75+ years | 0.0x |
Male | 0.0x | |
Female | 1.7x |
Black | 1.5x | |
Hispanic | 1.1x | |
White | 0.8x | |
Other | 1.3x |