Patient's question:
Doctor, I am the mother of a 3-year-old child. Before having a child, my menstrual flow was not too heavy, but now it is very large. I don't know why. Please reply. Thank you.First follow-up question: An ultrasound examination was also performed, and no abnormalities were found. What could be the reason? Thank you, Doctor, for helping me solve this. It's very frustrating.
Doctor's answer:
Hello:The Seven Major Causes of Heavy Menstrual Flow
Doctors consider normal menstrual bleeding to be between 20 and 60 milliliters, with anything exceeding 80 milliliters classified as menorrhagia. Based on sanitary pad usage, a normal amount is about four to five changes per day, with no more than two packs per cycle (each pack contains 10 pads). If you need three packs of sanitary pads and most of them are soaked through, it may indicate heavy menstrual flow.
The reasons for heavy menstrual flow vary among women of different ages and physiological stages. Taking women aged 25 to 40 as an example, the excessive vaginal bleeding is primarily associated with the following seven factors:
Improper Contraception
Sometimes, abnormal vaginal bleeding is related to the contraception method you use. The most common "troublemaker" is the intrauterine device (IUD).
In China, this is the most widely used form of contraception after childbirth. The most prominent issue it causes is a shortened menstrual cycle, prolonged periods, significantly increased menstrual flow, and postmenstrual spotting. Newer copper-containing active IUDs, while improving contraceptive effectiveness, also increase menstrual bleeding.
Additionally, short-term oral contraceptives can make your menstrual cycle very regular, reduce flow, and alleviate menstrual cramps. However, incorrect usage can disrupt hormonal regulation, leading to excessive menstrual bleeding. For example, not taking them as prescribed, missing doses, or taking them incorrectly can cause reproductive hormone levels in the body to become imbalanced, affecting the development of the endometrium and causing abnormal bleeding.