Emergency Room Strategies for Managing Excessive Menstrual Bleeding
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: When to Seek Emergency Help
Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) can be a distressing and potentially dangerous condition. Here's what you need to know about when to seek emergency medical attention.
In cases of HMB, ongoing care or long-term treatment may be necessary due to various conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), uterine polyps, fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, or blood clotting disorders.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, it's crucial to seek immediate medical help:
- Bleeding that soaks through one or more pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours. This could be a sign of severe blood loss or anemia.
- Passing blood clots that are the size of a quarter or larger. This is a significant indicator of heavy bleeding and may require emergency treatment.
- Symptoms like dizziness, weakness, or shortness of breath. These symptoms may indicate severe blood loss or anemia and should not be ignored.
- Bleeding that differs from your usual pattern, in addition to other symptoms. If your bleeding pattern changes unexpectedly, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional.
- If you could be pregnant, as the bleeding could be a miscarriage. Pregnant women experiencing heavy bleeding should seek immediate medical attention.
In an emergency, doctors may administer fluids, medications like estrogen and antifibrinolytic drugs, and perform procedures like dilation and curettage (D and C). Intrauterine tamponade, where a bladder catheter is inserted into the uterus and inflated with fluid to mechanically control bleeding, may also be used.
If you find yourself in such a situation, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER). Once you're stable, the cause of the bleeding is known, and the immediate emergency has passed, you can leave the hospital.
It's important to note that treatment options for conditions causing HMB include hormone therapy, hormonal IUDs, medications to increase blood clotting, operative hysteroscopy, endometrial ablation or resection, and hysterectomy. Endometrial ablation, endometrial resection, and hysterectomy result in a person being unable to get pregnant.
In summary, emergency management focuses on stopping life-threatening bleeding, maintaining circulation with IV fluids and blood products, mechanical tamponade if needed, and specialized hormone therapy to halt bleeding before longer-term treatments start. Any patient with heavy bleeding plus signs of shock or anemia requires immediate hospital care.
Remember, it's better to be safe than sorry. If you're unsure, always consult a healthcare professional.
Key signs indicating urgent intervention: soaking through ≥1 pad per hour for multiple hours, passing large clots, severe weakness or dizziness during bleeding, bleeding lasting longer than 7 days, or postmenopausal bleeding.
- Some medical-conditions related to heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) include type 1 and type 2 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and obesity.
- Women with HMB may also experience other health-and-wellness issues like mental-health problems, asthma, and dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
- Predictive science in women's health can help identify the root cause of HMB, which can aid in effective treatment.
- Donating blood before a planned hysterectomy or blood transfusions during medical emergencies can help ensure adequate blood supply for patients.
- Maintaining regular check-ups with a healthcare professional can help monitor and manage womens' health conditions, including HMB and its related complications.
- Women who are experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding and also suffer from conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, or fibroids may require long-term treatment and care.
- If you have HMB and are experiencing symptoms like persistent abdominal pain, back pain, or increased menstrual problems, seek medical advice promptly.
- Science and medical advancements have led to more effective treatments for women with HMB, including endometrial ablation and operative hysteroscopy.
- In cases of HMB, it's crucial to be aware of the signs requiring urgent intervention, such as soaking through more than one pad per hour for multiple hours, passing large clots, severe weakness or dizziness during bleeding, bleeding lasting longer than 7 days, or postmenopausal bleeding.
- Additionally, pregnant women experiencing heavy bleeding should consult their healthcare provider immediately to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.
- Women's health organizations emphasize the importance of addressing and managing HMB to avoid potential complications and improve overall health and wellness.
