Uterine Fibroid Menorrhagia is a condition that involves heavy menstrual bleeding due to the presence of uterine fibroids. If you're experiencing excessive menstrual bleeding and suspect uterine fibroids might be the cause, let's explore explore personalized options for managing this condition and improving your overall quality of life.
Overview of Uterine Fibroid Menorrhagia
Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) is a common symptom of uterine fibroids. Women suffering from menorrhagia have longer periods (lasting more than seven days), larger blood clots, and abnormally heavy flow that disrupts their normal day-to-day life.
Continue reading to learn more about uterine fibroid menorrhagia, its impacts on women's health, diagnosis, and treatment approaches, and recommended lifestyle changes for better management of the condition. We also highlight the common symptoms of menorrhagia and the different types of uterine fibroids.
Don’t have time to read the full blog post? Watch the video here for a quick overview in our video gallery or subscribe for updates to our YouTube channel and enjoy our quick and comprehensive video series with expert advice, essential insights, guides, how-to’s, and the answers to common questions.
Common Questions About Uterine Fibroids and Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus.
They are made of muscle and connective tissue and can vary in:
- Size
- Number
- Location within the uterus
Some women have fibroids without symptoms, while others may experience heavy periods, pelvic pressure, pain or fertility concerns.
The impact of fibroids depends on their size, location and how they affect the uterus.
Can uterine fibroids cause heavy menstrual bleeding?
Yes. Uterine fibroids are one of the common causes of heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia).
Fibroids may contribute to heavy periods by affecting:
- The surface area of the uterine lining
- The ability of the uterus to contract effectively
- Blood flow within the uterus
Symptoms may include:
- Menstrual bleeding lasting longer than usual
- Passing large blood clots
- Needing to change sanitary products frequently
- Feeling tired or weak due to iron deficiency caused by blood loss
What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids?
Symptoms vary depending on the size and location of the fibroids.
Common symptoms include:
Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Longer periods
- Heavy flow
- Blood clots
- Symptoms of anaemia
Pelvic symptoms
- Pelvic pressure
- Lower abdominal discomfort
- Bloating
- A feeling of fullness
Bladder or bowel symptoms
Larger fibroids may put pressure on nearby organs, causing:
- Frequent urination
- Constipation
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
Fertility-related concerns
Some fibroids may affect fertility depending on their location and impact on the uterus.
When is heavy menstrual bleeding considered abnormal?
Heavy menstrual bleeding may require medical assessment when it affects daily life or causes health concerns.
Consider seeking medical advice if you:
- Bleed heavily during your period
- Have periods lasting more than seven days
- Need to frequently change sanitary products
- Pass large blood clots
- Feel unusually tired, dizzy or short of breath
- Experience symptoms affecting work, exercise or daily activities
Heavy periods should not simply be accepted as normal, especially when they affect quality of life.
How are uterine fibroids diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually involves a combination of medical history, physical assessment and imaging.
Tests may include:
Ultrasound
A pelvic ultrasound is commonly used to assess:
- Fibroid size
- Location
- Number of fibroids
MRI scan
MRI may provide more detailed information about:
- Fibroid characteristics
- Blood supply
- Treatment planning
Detailed imaging helps doctors understand whether treatment or monitoring is appropriate.
Introduction to Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus. They affect many women of reproductive age worldwide. Fibroids vary in size from microscopic to large masses and may be asymptomatic or symptomatic. In symptomatic fibroids, menorrhagia is a common symptom. Approximately 30% of women with uterine fibroids experience menorrhagia.
If untreated, uterine fibroid menorrhagia can impact your health negatively. The prolonged bleeding can result in anemia, among other health conditions.
Definition and Types of Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are common tumors among women of reproductive age. They develop on the uterine wall and vary significantly from microscopic to huge masses large enough to make someone look pregnant.
Uterine fibroids are classified based on their location. The three main types include:
- Subserosal fibroids: Develop near serosa (outer layer) of the uterus and grow outwards. Larger subserosal fibroids can cause menorrhagia, while smaller ones may be asymptomatic.
- Submucosal fibroids: Develop near the mucosa (internal layer) of the uterus. They protrude inward toward the uterine cavity and may cause infertility, menorrhagia, and anemia even when small in size.
- Intramural fibroids: Develop in the muscular wall of the uterus, causing enlargement of the uterus. They may be asymptomatic when smaller and cause severe symptoms such as menorrhagia as they grow larger.
Subserosal and submucosal fibroids also have a variation called pedunculated fibroids. These often grow on a stalk of the uterus, either outside or inside the uterus. Pedunculated subserosal fibroids' symptoms vary in severity, depending on their size, while pedunculated submucosal fibroids have severe symptoms.
Menorrhagia
Menorrhagia is a menstrual disorder often characterized by abnormally heavy and longer periods. It can be caused by various factors, including non-cancerous growths such as fibroids, polyps, or adenomyosis. Other common causes of menorrhagia include hormonal imbalance, STI infection, cancer (uterine or cervical), pregnancy complications (ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage), or other medical conditions such as liver, kidney, pelvic inflammatory, or Von Willebrand diseases.
Common symptoms of menorrhagia include:
- Longer periods lasting more than seven days
- Heavy flow requiring a change of pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours
- Having to change pad or tampon at night
- Large blood clots (size of a quarter or larger)
- Spotting or bleeding between periods
- Exhaustion and lack of energy
- Intense menstrual cramps
Menorrhagia can affect your quality of life in terms of general health (risk of anemia and mental health), pain, and social and emotional functioning. However, note that symptoms of menorrhagia may also be due to other medical conditions such as cancer or kidney disease; hence it's crucial to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis.
Diagnosing Uterine Fibroid Menorrhagia
Uterine fibroid menorrhagia diagnosis involves clinical assessment and imaging techniques. Common diagnoses include:
- Blood tests
- Pelvic exam
- Ultrasound
After the primary tests, secondary tests may be recommended, such as:
- Hysteroscopy
- Dilation and curettage (D&C)
- Sonohysterogram
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Hysterosonography
- Hysterosalpingography
Treatment Approaches
Various treatment approaches may be taken (including medical management, interventional procedures, and surgery) depending on the diagnosis. Common treatments include:
- Medicines: (gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, GnRH antagonists, progestin-releasing intrauterine device (IUD), tranexamic acid, and low-dose birth control pills.
- Noninvasive procedures: Focused ultrasound surgery.
- Surgery: Radiofrequency ablation, uterine artery embolization, myomectomy, and hysterectomy.
Lifestyle Strategies
Positive lifestyle changes are also essential in the management of uterine fibroid menorrhagia, such as:
- Exercise: Talk to your doctor for a recommendation of uterine fibroid menorrhagia-appropriate exercises such as stretching, running, and jogging.
- Diet: Consume a healthy diet rich in iron and vitamin C, and drink plenty of water. Especially, fruits, vegetables, and herbs are highly recommended.
- Other self-care tips: Watch your blood pressure, learn stress-relieving techniques, get enough rest, and avoid smoking.
When to Consider a Uterine Fibroid Specialist Assessment
Heavy menstrual bleeding can have many causes, and understanding the underlying reason is important for choosing the right treatment approach.
Consider arranging a specialist assessment if you:
- Experience heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
- Have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids.
- Have periods that affect your daily activities or quality of life.
- Experience symptoms of anaemia, such as fatigue or dizziness.
- Have pelvic pressure, discomfort or bloating.
- Have been advised to consider surgery and want to understand minimally invasive alternatives.
- Want to explore uterine fibroid embolisation as a treatment option.
- Are seeking a second opinion about your fibroid management plan.
At the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, assessment focuses on understanding your symptoms, reviewing relevant imaging and discussing personalised treatment options.
Your specialist can help you understand whether monitoring, medication, minimally invasive treatment or another approach may be suitable based on your condition and goals.
The aim is to help women make informed decisions about their health with access to minimally invasive treatment options when appropriate.
Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic Provides World-Class Menorrhagia Care in Singapore
If you're experiencing menorrhagia-related symptoms, seeking medical attention is essential for a proper diagnosis of the underlying issue. Heavy menstrual bleeding may be caused by uterine fibroids or another health condition, hence an accurate diagnosis is always recommended. And with appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes, menorrhagia can be managed, allowing you to lead a quality life.
In case you're looking for a specialized menorrhagia clinic in Singapore, we welcome you to visit us at Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic. Dr. Manish Taneja is vascular and interventional treatment specialist in Singapore, ready to walk you through your menorrhagia treatment journey. Contact us to arrange your appointment.
Other Vascular Treatments
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your "go-to" facility for various vascular conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our vascular specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.