Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding

Changes in the hormonal balance that can lead to prolonged bleeding in women is a cause for concern.

Whether it is a young girl in her teens or a woman in her menopausal age, one thing that can upset their routine and their sense of well-being is their menstrual period being prolonged beyond six or seven days. An occasional occurrence is not a cause for concern, but repeated occurrences need attention.

As such, during puberty, the cycles need not be regular; it is also found that some young girls have more frequent menses that last for more than six days associated with heavy bleeding. But this does get corrected as the hormones get balanced in the young system within a calendar year. Likewise, in the age of menopause, there is an aberration of the oestrogen and progesterone balance that could lead to such an occurrence. Though this is common, certain investigations are needed to rule out conditions and if needed, treated appropriately.

Sometimes there is a formation of a fibroid on the walls of the uterus. If this were to occur in the middle uterine layer, the myometrium, the contraction of the uterus during menses can cause increased bleeding on that occasion. For that matter, just an appearance of a fibroid does not warrant treatment; treatment is suggested only if there is menorrhagia or the fibroid pressing around the delicate structures in the pelvis that can cause backache.

Homoeopathic medicine has good remedies like Thuja, Silicea, Calcarea flour which reduce excessive bleeding and maintain harmony; the size of the fibroid is never an issue. Since it is oestrogen dependent, which naturally reduces after menopause, these just shrink away.

There is an appearance of polyps in the inner layer of the uterus called endometrium and the increased shedding of this layer during periods is bound to cause excessive bleeding. Platina, Millefolium are known to correct those situations and on some occasions, the layer needs to collect through dilation and curettage followed by an examination. This is also hormone related and usually associated with cysts in the ovary.

If there is an occurrence of polyps in the cervix either due to increased levels of oestrogen or infection which can lead to menorrhagia, remedies like Kreosote, Ac.nit, Borax are known to get rid of the infection and maintain hormone balance. If there is no change in the appearance and size of the polyps after medication, they are promptly excised and a study done to rule out any other disease.

The organs and tissues in the pelvis, i.e uterus, fallopian tubes and the ovaries could get infected through various means –– sexual intercourse, childbirth, abortion or during gynaecological procedures which can also lead to increased bleeding during menses. Thuja, Caladium, Palladium can help get rid of such an infection.

There are certain undue causes too like malignant changes of cervix and endometrium which can lead to bleeding but that needs to be investigated and treated appropriately.

In some women who have an intrauterine device in place, heavy bleeding may occur. Blood has a propensity to clot but when some factors in the serum are deficient, bleeding may continue. This can be detected with a simple lab test and treated.

Depending on the cause, homoeopathic medicine has good remedies which can relieve pain and help women regain peace of mind.