What is the prevalence of heavy periods?
Menorrhagia - heavy periods (Greek: Meno - uterus; rhegnunai - to burst forth), the medical term for heavy periods, is a common problem. Long heavy periods exacerbate the problem. Furthermore, the menstrual flow with periods may not only be long and heavy but also painful. Long, heavy and painful periods affect many women. It has been estimated that one woman in 20 aged 25- 44 years will attend her general practitioner each year re questing treatment for her heavy periods. No doubt many more suffer in silence as, during a heavy period, most women understandably feel that they could not see a doctor because they would not wish to be examined. After a heavy period they will defer attending the doctor hoping that future periods will be normal. Heavy periods can be debilitating, causing more than the usual inconvenience of menstruation. At times they can lead to social embarrassment. Modern women have the benefits of effective contraception, which has only been available for a generation or two. With a reduction in family size and less breast feeding, a woman can now expect to see a nine-fold increase in the number of menstrual cycles in her lifetime compared to her great-grandmother.
Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-
- Bleeding disorders among young women: a population-based prevalence study. (2006-01)
- A Scottish postal survey suggested that the prevailing clinical preoccupation with heavy periods does not reflect the epidemiology of reported symptoms and problems. (2005-01)
- An epidemiological survey of symptoms of menstrual loss in the community.(2004-01)
- Increased vaginal bleeding: the reasons women give for consulting primary care. (2003-01)
- Work loss associated with increased menstrual loss in the United States. (2002-01)
Please click on the required question.
- 1 Are heavy periods a common problem?
- 2 What is in my menstrual flow?
- 3 What range of menstrual cycle length is considered to be normal?
- 4 How can menstrual blood loss be measured?
- 5 How can I tell if my periods are abnormally heavy?
- 6 What could be the cause of my very heavy menstrual periods?
- 7 I have been sterilised. Could this be the cause of my heavy periods?
- 8 Should I have tests to find the reason for my heavy periods?
- 9 How will my heavy period problems be investigated?
- 10 What is meant by anaemia due to heavy periods?
- 11 What is intermenstrual bleeding?
- 12 What is a hysteroscopy and D and C?
- 13 What is cervical cautery?
- 14 What happens after the D and C?
- 15 What treatments are available for my heavy periods?
- 16 What are the medical treatments available for heavy periods?
- 17 How do the various medical treatments for heavy periods work?
- 18 What would be reasonable initial treatment for a teenager or young woman with heavy periods?
- 19 What is a hysterectomy?
- 20 What are the indications for hysterectomy?
- 21 What are the risks (complications) of hysterectomy?
- 22 What is vault granulation?
- 23 What are the different types of hysterectomy?
- 24 Is it essential to remove the neck of the womb at hysterectomy?
- 25 Should my ovaries be removed or conserved during hysterectomy?
- 26 How long will I be in hospital when I have my hysterectomy?
- 27 I have had a hysterectomy. Do I still need to have smear tests?
- 28 What are the other surgical alternatives to hysterectomy?
- 29 How do endometrial ablation and hysterectomy compare?
- 30 Are there any psychological effects following hysterectomy?
- 31 How do we decide the best treatment for my period problems?
- 32 Could I have some recommended hysterectomy support groups?
- 33 Are there any support groups?
- Intermenstrual Bleeding - Bleeding between periods.
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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
