The treatment of menorrhagia depends very much on the cause. While women who simply suffer from heavy periods without any pathologic or dangerous underlying cause may simply need to take iron supplements, others may opt to undergo procedures that can prevent the excessive bleeding in the first place. One such procedure is endometrial ablation, where the lining of the uterus is removed using electricity, heat, freezing or microwave energy, thereby ridding the uterus of the part that causes menstrual bleeding. Other women may choose hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). In women whose menorrhagia is attributable to a specific underlying cause, other treatment(s) may be necessary. Uterine fibroids can be controlled with a wide variety of treatments and procedures, such as hormonal therapy, open or laparoscopic surgery to remove fibroids, and a host of other procedures that kill and shrink fibroids, with agents ranging from plastic particles to liquid nitrogen. Uterine cancer must be treated immediately with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination of the three; if the cancer can be eliminated, the symptoms it causes can be, as well. Infections can be treated with antibiotic regimens, and injuries to the reproductive track may require surgical repair.
While an occasional heavy period is something that most women have experienced at one time or another, it is important to seek the advice of a medical care professional if the problem is recurrent. In addition to the obvious advantages of no longer suffering from excessive menstrual flow, prompt treatment reduces the potential for lasting damage due to underlying causes, and ensures that potentially life-threatening illnesses can be ruled out or treated.
