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| Standard Definition |
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Heavy menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia, may involve extra days of bleeding or an excessive amount over the normal days of a woman's period. It is important to understand that this condition is usually described by the women herself as being a concern since the range of 'normal' is quite large. |
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| Underlying Disruption in Function |
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Menorrhagia may be related to hypothalamic-pituitary problems, ovarian or uterine factors, or an imbalance in prostaglandin levels. Hormonal factors often involved include oestrogen excess, progeterone deficiency and hypothyroidism. As with irrgular menstruation, menorrhagia requires a thorough assessment for proper diagnosis before treatment is begun. |
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| Possible Causes, Triggers & Exacerbating Factors |
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- Hypothalamic-pititary-ovarian axis imbalance (imbalance in the brain-pituitary gland and ovary communication)
- Ovarian dysfunction - typically excessive oestrogen production and deficient progesterone production
- Prostaglandin imbalance (especially if accompanied by pain)
- Hypothyroidism
- Low iron stores
- Clotting abnormalities
- Presence of an IUD
- Uterine infection (pelvic inflammatory disease)
- Fibroids, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis
- Poor liver function, alcohol excess
- Miscarriage
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| Common Signs & Symptoms |
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- Extra days of bleeding over the period
- Excessive amount over the normal days of a period
- 'Flooding'
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| Possible Additional Integrative Medicine Diagnostic Tests |
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(This is additional information that does not replace nor negate conventional diagnosis. Other tests may be useful depending on the individual circumstance.)
- Hormonal testing
- Biochemical assessments
- Vitamin and Mineral assessment
- Digestive function assessment
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