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What is considered
to be heavy bleeding?
The amount of
blood lost every month tends to remain constant and varies with
age. It is unusual for a woman to lose a small amount of blood
one month and then a large amount of blood the next. Each
individual woman considers her own period to be normal and only
worries when she feels that her periods have changed. Keep in
mind that the amount of blood lost each period varies from
individual to individual; therefore it is impossible to define a
“normal” period in regards to amount and frequency of bleeding.
A heavy period for one woman may be normal for another.
Doctors call
heavy menstrual bleeding Menorrhagia. This is a condition when
periods last longer than seven days and more than 80ml of blood
is lost during a period.
Clots
Clotting can
occur due to heavy menstrual bleeding. Losing large clots can be
painful. Because of their size, they may cause cramping as they
pass through the cervix. All blood contains a clotting factor.
In order for blood to flow freely through the uterus, the uterus
produces an anti-clotting agent. If your body experiences heavy
bleeding, it is possible for your body to have used up the
anti-clotting agent before your period has finished, thus the
remaining blood most likely will clot.
Causes of Heavy
Bleeding
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Unexplained – for half of all cases no cause can be
found
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Contraceptive coil (IUD) – the coil can cause heavier &
longer periods
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Injectable contraception – can cause heavy or prolonged
bleeding
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Pelvic
Disorders
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Treatment with
Progesterone
According to Dr.
John Lee, heavy bleeding can occur when the uterus is exposed to
high levels of estrogen that stimulate the excessive growth of
the uterine lining. To relieve and balance the body, he
suggested women use progesterone. He recommended women use
higher doses of progesterone creme for approximately one month.
He advised: Use
at least 1/2 tsp. twice daily from day 10-26 of your cycle, for
1-2 months.
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