Heavy menstrual flow may be associated with gynecological disorders such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis or adenomyosis, endometrial cancer, and dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
A woman’s total blood loss per menstrual period should be between 20 and 60 milliliters, and if it is above 80 milliliters, it is considered excessive menstrual flow. The causes of excessive menstrual flow are mainly related to the following gynecological diseases:
1. Uterine fibroids: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors of the female reproductive system, and when they are relatively small, they may not have any symptoms. However, if the fibroid is large, especially submucosal fibroid, it will easily lead to increased menstrual flow, prolonged menstrual period and irregular vaginal bleeding.
2. Endometriosis: Endometriosis refers to the appearance of endometrial tissue in a part of the uterus other than the body of the uterus, and the typical symptoms are dysmenorrhea, infertility, and discomfort during sexual intercourse. About 15-20% of patients may have increased menstrual flow, prolonged menstrual period, or irregular menstrual flow.
3. Adenomyosis: When the endometrial glands and mesenchyme invade into the myometrium, it is called adenomyosis. As the endometrial area of patients with adenomyosis increases, the uterus does not contract well, and the endometrium proliferates, so it will lead to a significant increase in the amount of menstruation, and most of them will be accompanied by dysmenorrhea symptoms.
4. Endometrial cancer: endometrial cancer is one of the three major malignant tumors of female reproductive tract, which is also a common cause of increased menstrual flow and prolonged menstrual period.
5. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding: dysfunctional uterine bleeding is also a kind of disease with more frequent bleeding, which will bleed more than menstruation and for a longer period of time, so most of the patients will feel anemic and weak, and their spirit is very bad. If the symptoms of dysfunctional hemorrhage are serious, shock or even death may occur.