Background

Condition Lookup

Sub-Category:

Menstrual disorders

Number of Conditions: 2

Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia)

Specialty: Internal Medicine

Category: Genitourinary and Reproductive Health

Sub-category: Menstrual disorders

Symptoms:
excessive menstrual bleeding lasting more than 7 days; passing large clots; fatigue or weakness due to blood loss; pelvic pain during menstruation

Root Cause:
Hormonal imbalances, uterine fibroids, polyps, endometriosis, or bleeding disorders.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, pelvic examination, blood tests (e.g., hemoglobin levels), ultrasound, hysteroscopy.

Treatment:
Medications, hormonal therapy, surgical interventions if severe.

Medications:
NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ), hormonal contraceptives (e.g., oral pills, IUD), tranexamic acid, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 20–30% of women of reproductive age.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Obesity, family history, bleeding disorders, hormonal imbalances.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Manageable with treatment; underlying cause dictates long-term outcomes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Anemia, fatigue, reduced quality of life.

Amenorrhea

Specialty: Internal Medicine

Category: Genitourinary and Reproductive Health

Sub-category: Menstrual disorders

Symptoms:
absence of menstrual periods for more than three cycles in a row (secondary amenorrhea); delayed onset of menstruation in adolescents (primary amenorrhea)

Root Cause:
Hormonal imbalances, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid dysfunction, extreme stress, or low body weight.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical examination, blood tests (hormone levels), pelvic ultrasound, MRI (for pituitary abnormalities).

Treatment:
Treating the underlying cause (e.g., hormonal therapy, lifestyle changes).

Medications:
Hormonal therapy (e.g., combined oral contraceptives), medications for specific causes (e.g., levothyroxine for hypothyroidism).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 3–4% of women; more common in athletes or individuals with eating disorders.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
PCOS, extreme physical activity, low body fat, chronic illnesses.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with treatment; depends on addressing the underlying cause.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infertility, osteoporosis (from long-term low estrogen levels).