00:00The following segment is brought to you by Venture Credit Union.
00:04Why just dream when you can venture?
00:17Many women are told that heavy periods are something that they have to tolerate.
00:22But bleeding that is prolonged, heavy, and affecting your daily life is not normal.
00:30Tonight on House Call, we're discussing heavy menstrual bleeding.
00:34What causes it, how to recognize it, and when you need to see a doctor.
00:40Heavy menstrual bleeding, formerly known as menorrhagia, is not only defined by the amount of blood loss,
00:47but is also defined by the way it affects your quality of life.
00:52Clinically, it may involve losing up to 80 milliliters of blood in one cycle,
00:58or having periods that last more than seven days.
01:03But in everyday life, women may recognize heavy menstrual bleeding through more practical signs,
01:10such as soaking through pads or tampons every hour,
01:14needing to use double protection,
01:17waking at night to change sanitary products,
01:21passing of large blood clots,
01:23bleeding through your clothing or bedding,
01:26or having periods that interfere with your work, exercise, or social activities.
01:33There are several causes of heavy menstrual bleeding.
01:37Some are structural causes within the uterus or the womb,
01:42such as polyps, small groups within the uterine lining,
01:46adenomyosis, where your inner lining grows into your muscular lining of the womb,
01:52and most commonly, fibroids,
01:55non-cancerous tumors that cause prolonged heavy bleeding,
01:59and in some cases, pre-cancerous changes or cancer, particularly in older women.
02:07Other causes can be non-structural or disease-related,
02:11such as bleeding disorders, where patients have problems with clotting,
02:15hormonal or ovulatory dysfunction, as seen in polycystic ovarian syndrome,
02:21thyroid disease,
02:22and medications like blood thinners.
02:25Over time, heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to iron deficiency anemia,
02:30causing fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath,
02:35and a decrease in your quality of life.
02:37The most important message is this.
02:40Very heavy or painful periods are not something you should simply push through.
02:47Effective treatments are available,
02:49but the first step is getting the right diagnosis.
02:54Talk to your doctor if heavy periods have been affecting your daily life.
02:59Your menstrual health is important in your overall well-being.
03:03It's Dr. Mariana Brown for TV6 Health School.
03:07The preceding was brought to you by Venture Credit Union.
03:10Why just dream when you can venture?
03:12Then play Romoon's thinking new year.
03:13Thanks for listening!
03:14Bye!
03:14Bye!
03:15Bye!
03:21Bye!
03:22You
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