{"id":311747,"date":"2011-03-15T17:55:56","date_gmt":"2011-03-15T17:55:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/03\/15\/worst-menstrual-problems-how-to-treat-them\/"},"modified":"2011-03-15T17:55:56","modified_gmt":"2011-03-15T17:55:56","slug":"worst-menstrual-problems-how-to-treat-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/15\/worst-menstrual-problems-how-to-treat-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Worst Menstrual Problems: How to Treat Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding and mood swings can drag you down. But when do they become a health concern? We asked experts about the worst menstrual problems and how to get relief…<\/p>\n

Every month, like clockwork, you\u2019re irritable, exhausted and curled up in your bed with cramps. But sometimes your period arrives with unfamiliar symptoms.<\/p>\n

Stress and normal hormonal changes can trigger extreme pain or irregular bleeding. But these symptoms can also have a more serious cause.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you always have regular periods and suddenly become irregular, there may be a medical problem,\u201d says Mary Gallenberg, M.D., a gynecologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.<\/p>\n

Some are easily treated with diet changes or over-the-counter remedies, but others may require a doctor\u2019s care or even surgery.<\/p>\n

Here, experts explain how to identify and treat the five most common menstrual problems.<\/p>\n

1. Heavy periods (menorrhagia)
How it feels: If your period lasts more than seven days, produces large blood clots, soaks through a pad or tampon every hour or has you up at night to change protection, you may have menorrhagia.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the most common gynecological compliant,\u201d says Robin Miller, M.D., an internist and Lifescript women\u2019s health expert.<\/p>\n

Besides being frustrating and embarrassing, it can increase your risk of anemia, which causes fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain and fainting.<\/p>\n

Why it happens: The most likely cause is a menstrual cycle without ovulation, Miller says. That prevents the body from making enough of the hormone progesterone; without it, estrogen builds up the uterine lining more, which results in heavier periods.<\/p>\n

Other pelvic problems that can also cause excessive bleeding:<\/p>\n

* Endometriosis \u2013 When the uterine lining grows outside, on the ovaries or bladder, leading to cysts and infertility<\/p>\n

* Polyps or fibroids \u2013 Possibly painful, noncancerous growths that develop in the uterus<\/p>\n

* Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) \u2013 An infection of the reproductive organs (uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix) that could cause infertility<\/p>\n

* Adenomyosis \u2013 A painful condition that occurs when endometrial tissue grows into the uterine wall<\/p>\n

Other potential reasons for heavy bleeding include a hormonal imbalance, underactive or overactive thyroid, liver and kidney failure, or a blood disorder.<\/p>\n

Medical treatments: First, see your doctor to identify an underlying condition. Treating that will usually stop the excessive bleeding.<\/p>\n

If the blood loss has made you anemic, your doctor may also prescribe iron supplements.<\/p>\n

Medications such as birth control pills, oral progesterone, the hormonal IUD (Mirena) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) can lessen menstrual flow.<\/p>\n

If they don\u2019t reduce the bleeding, your doctor may recommend surgery. In a dilatation and curettage (D&C), tissue from the uterine lining is scraped out to reduce menstrual flow. If bleeding remains heavy, the procedure may need to be repeated.<\/p>\n

Endometrial ablation and endometrial resection destroy or remove the uterine lining, which dramatically reduces menstrual flow. These procedures are becoming a more common alternative to a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), Gallenberg says. These can reduce your ability to get pregnant.<\/p>\n

Natural remedies: Getting enough rest and avoiding aspirin, which stops blood from clotting, can ease symptoms. Acupuncture will also lessen heavy bleeding for some women, Miller says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

See the original post:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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