Hypermenstrual syndrome is a very common problem faced by many women. For one reason or another, the volume of discharge during menstruation increases, sometimes up to the development of serious bleeding. Many patients are interested in additional information about this pathology, so they are worth considering.
Hypermenstrual syndrome: what is it? General information
Many women face a similar problem and, accordingly, are interested in additional information. Hypermenstrual syndrome (ICD-10 code N92.0) is a disorder that is accompanied by an increase in bloody discharge. Moreover, according to statistics, menstruation in this case lasts longer than seven days. However, this all happens during menstruation, there is no bleeding between these periods, and women feel quite normal.
Main causes of pathology
Hypermenstrual syndrome is not an independent disease, in most cases it is only a symptom of another pathology. The causes of the syndrome can be very different and you should definitely familiarize yourself with their list:
- Sometimes heavy periods indicate the presence of inflammatory processes in the uterus and ovaries. In turn, inflammation, as a rule, is the result of the activity of pathogenic microflora, therefore, infectious diseases that are sexually transmitted should also be considered risk factors.
- Hypermenstrual syndrome is often the result of pathologies of the endocrine system.
- Risk factors include trauma and previous pelvic surgery.
- There is also such a thing as iatrogenic hypermenstrual syndrome. In this case, the cause is the improper use of anticoagulants, estrogens, hormonal contraceptives.
- Hypermenstrual syndrome may be the result of organic lesions of the ovaries and uterus. For example, profuse discharge and bleeding during menstruation may indicate the presence of benign tumors of the uterus, endometriosis, hyperplastic processes, such as, for example, the formation of endometrial polyps, the development of glandular hyperplasia. The causes also include hormonally active tumors in the ovaries, as well as the presence of malignant processes in the tissues of the cervix and body of the uterus.
- Causes include infectious and somaticdiseases, severe forms of intoxication.
- It is impossible to exclude the possibility of the patient having hematological diseases, in particular, leukemia, hemorrhagic diathesis, thrombocytopenia.
In any case, it is very important to determine the cause of hypermenstrual syndrome - the correct treatment depends on it.
Risk factors: what can make things worse?
We have already covered the main causes of hypermenstrual syndrome. However, there are factors whose presence/impact can aggravate the situation.
For example, it is no secret to anyone that nervous and emotional stresses directly affect the level of hormones. Constant stress can aggravate the situation, affect the menstrual cycle.
Risk factors also include:
- living in adverse conditions (e.g. polluted environment);
- smoking and other bad habits;
- dramatic climate change;
- malnutrition (for example, strict diets are often accompanied by beriberi).
Which symptoms to look out for?
It is immediately worth noting that the sooner a woman seeks help from a doctor, the easier it is to correct the situation and avoid negative consequences. Hypermenstrual syndrome is characterized by prolonged periods: they last longer than seven, but less than twelve days.
The volume of menstrual flow increases dramatically. Pathology is spoken of if, during the monthly cycle, the patient losesat least 200-250 ml of blood. As a rule, women during an appointment with a gynecologist complain that sanitary pads during menstruation have to be changed almost every hour. Nevertheless, cyclicity is preserved, that is, menstruation is repeated with a certain frequency. Sometimes there is algomenorrhea, when menstruation is accompanied by severe pulling pains in the lower abdomen (sometimes the discomfort is so pronounced that the patient loses consciousness).
What forms can pathology take?
Hypermenstrual syndrome, DUB (dysfunctional uterine bleeding), is a very common disorder. Naturally, such a pathology can take on various forms, and it is worth familiarizing yourself with their features:
- Hyperpolymenorrhea is characterized by prolonged, profuse discharge.
- Menorrhagia is a pathology that is accompanied by the appearance of uterine bleeding, but only during menstruation.
- Metrorrhagia is accompanied by the appearance of spotting and even bleeding outside the period of menstruation.
- Menometrorrhagia is a pathology that is characterized by the appearance of bleeding both during menstruation and between periods.
- Acyclic bleeding is characterized by a lack of periodicity: bleeding occurs spontaneously, it is impossible to predict such a phenomenon.
This is what the classification system established by doctors looks like. Hypermenstrual syndrome can take on a variety of forms,be accompanied by additional symptoms (eg, abdominal pain, weakness, dizziness). In any case, it is dangerous to ignore the problem, it is better to contact a gynecologist as soon as possible.
Possible Complications
Sometimes hypermenstrual syndrome indicates the presence of very serious diseases that, if left untreated, can lead to dangerous disorders in various organ systems.
If episodes of hypermenstruation are rare, then they do not pose a particular he alth risk. However, persistent blood loss can lead to the development of iron deficiency anemia. Often women complain of severe shortness of breath, constant dizziness, severe weakness.
Diagnostic measures
Treatment of hypermenstrual syndrome largely depends on the causes of its occurrence. That is why, in the presence of such a problem, the correct diagnosis is so important. During the examination, the doctor will collect information about the presence of failures in the menstrual cycle, the appearance of certain disorders from other organ systems.
During a gynecological examination, you can determine the presence of inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system. Pelvic ultrasound is mandatory, it helps to assess the condition of the uterus and ovaries. Samples are taken from the vagina and cervix with further bacteriological examination, which makes it possible to detect infectious diseases. informativeis a PCR diagnostic, as well as an analysis of the level of sex hormones and thyroid hormones.
A biochemical blood test helps to determine the presence of iron deficiency anemia. A study is being conducted on the rate of blood clotting. Sometimes diagnostic curettage is prescribed with further histological examination, as well as hysteroscopy.
Basic Principles of Therapy
It should be understood that the treatment of hypermenstrual syndrome directly depends on the causes of the pathology. Naturally, the presence of concomitant problems and complications (for example, anemia) must also be taken into account.
If hypermenstrual syndrome has developed against the background of hormonal disorders (in particular, changes in the level of sex hormones), then patients are prescribed hormonal drugs (oral contraceptives are effective in this case). Intrauterine devices and hormonal contraceptive rings are used for adenomyosis and some other pathologies of the reproductive organs.
If there is uterine fibromyoma, then the doctor, after a thorough diagnosis, may prescribe an operation. In the presence of multiple and growing polyps in the uterus, surgical removal is also required.
Of course, you need to pay attention to the condition of the patient. It is important to normalize nutrition, sleep and rest, learn to cope with stress. Patients are also prescribed vitamin complexes (in particular, folic and ascorbic acid) and iron supplements to prevent iron deficiency anemia.
If we are talking about symptomatic therapy, then inin the most severe cases, doctors recommend taking hemostatic drugs, in particular, drugs that contain tranexamic acid, dicynone.
Is there an effective prevention?
Hypermenstrual syndrome is not an independent disease. Its appearance indicates pathologies from the reproductive and / or endocrine system. There is no specific prevention. Doctors can only recommend that women undergo gynecological examinations twice a year, even if there are no obvious violations. It is extremely important to keep a calendar of menstruation, and if the slightest failure occurs, contact a specialist.
