Treating Menstrual Disorders and Menorrhagia
Menstrual disorders can lead to major health issues if left untreated. Depending on the cause of your menstrual complaints, Dr G may offer you several treatments options. These include:
Non-Surgical Treatment of Menstrual Disorders (Medicines)
- Hormone drugs that regulate ovulation, like medroxyprogesterone, are commonly used to treat amenorrhea and reduce heavy blood loss.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen are used to reduce both period pain and blood loss.
- Tranexamic Acid is used to reduce the heaviness of your menstrual flow. It is taken only during the first few days of your period.
- Iron supplements (either in the form of tablets or injections) are recommended for women who have developed anaemia as a result of a menstrual disorder.
- Mirena IUD, a device placed in the uterine cavity, releases hormones in small amounts to thin the uterine lining. This reduces the heaviness of your period and may help mitigate period pain. The device also functions as a reliable method of contraception.
Non-Surgical Treatment (Alternative procedures)
If your symptoms are caused by uterine fibroids, Dr G may offer you one of these options after taking several factors into consideration – including the number and size of your fibroids, your desire for a future pregnancy, and your suitability for surgery.
- Uterine artery embolization. This procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist who inserts a catheter through a large blood vessel in your leg. Medicine will then be injected into your uterine vessels to block the blood supply to your uterus. This will shrink the fibroids.
- MR guided focused ultrasound. This procedure uses high ultrasound waves to create thermal ablation that destroys fibroid tissue. You will need serial treatment depending on the size and number of your fibroids.
Surgical Treatment of Menstrual Disorders
- Hysteroscopy dilatation and curettage (D&C). During this surgical procedure, a hysteroscope will be introduced into your uterine cavity to take a sample of your tissue. This sample will be sent for a biopsy, allowing Dr G to rule out other conditions like polyps, uterine fibroids, endometrial hyperplasia, and uterine cancer. If the presence of uterine polyps and fibroids are confirmed, they can be resectioned at the same time, depending upon their size and location.
- Hysteroscopy endometrial ablation. During this advanced procedure, Dr G will use specialised medical instruments to erode the uterine lining. This helps reduce your period and may even stop it completely. This is a day procedure meant for women who do not wish to conceive in the future. As pregnancy after the ablation is inadvisable, Dr G will discuss available options for reliable or permanent contraception with you. For more information, visit: http://www.cavaterm.com/en/patients/heavy-menstrual-bleeding
- Myomectomy. Dr G may recommend you a myomectomy if you have heavy periods caused by uterine fibroids. This surgical procedure removes uterine fibroids and can either by performed through laparoscopy (keyhole surgery), hysteroscopy, or open surgery. The method selected depends on the size, number, and location of the fibroids.
- Hysterectomy. This surgical procedure involves the removal of your uterus and cervix. Dr G recommends this option only if other forms of treatment fail, or if you are not an ideal candidate for other treatments. Since a hysterectomy does not involve removing your ovaries, it will not cause you to enter menopause immediately. Dr G almost exclusively carries out hysterectomies using the keyhole approach (laparoscopy). A laparoscopic procedure will allow you to eat and ambulate as early as possible with minimal scarring and pain. A hysterectomy can also be performed vaginally or via open surgery.
In case your symptoms are caused by endometriosis, Dr G can offer you multiple treatment options that include hormone drugs, painkillers, and laparoscopic procedures amongst others. Please contact Dr G for more information on these options.
If not diagnosed and treated early, the symptoms associated with menstrual disorders may worsen over time. For a list of these conditions and their symptoms, visit our page on Menstrual Cycle Disorders. Don’t hesitate to call Dr G if you suspect you have a menstrual disorder. With over a decade of experience treating gynaecological problems, like menstrual disorders, he can diagnose your condition accurately, explain and discuss different treatment options with you, and alleviate or eliminate the symptoms from which you suffer.