There is probably no person in the world who has never experienced external bleeding in their life - for example, from careless handling of a knife when cutting food or from an unfortunate fall from a bicycle that ends in broken knees. The rules of first aid in such situations are simple and well known to everyone. You need to disinfect the wound and stop the bleeding with a bandage or plaster. And if a large vessel (artery) is hit and blood spurts out, then it is necessary to clamp the vessel above the wound site to avoid large blood loss.
Obviously, any bleeding occurs due to the fact that the integrity of the blood vessels is disrupted. Blood stops circulating in the closed space of the vessels and flows out of them. If the integrity of the uterine vessels is compromised, blood flows out through the vagina. It is this external sign that is the reason to suspect something is “off” and consult a doctor.
Uterine bleeding is a symptom of many diseases. These may be gynecological or oncological diseases, as well as complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
In case of uterine bleeding, it is very important not so much to stop the blood loss - this, by the way, is not always the first priority measure - but to identify the cause of the bleeding and, if possible, eliminate it. If this is not done, then there is a high probability of relapse and other manifestations of the disease, as well as its complications. Manipulations aimed at stopping bleeding are carried out in cases where the process of blood loss occurs at a high rate - in this case there is a direct threat to life. After the bleeding has been eliminated, in addition to treatment, restorative procedures must be prescribed: regimen, nutrition, maintaining water balance in the body, vitamin therapy.
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is bleeding associated with dysfunction of organs, in the absence of any organic pathology (uterine fibroids, internal endometriosis, pathology of the cervix, tumors of the uterus and ovaries).
Ovarian dysfunction is caused by a violation of their hormonal function and occurs quite often. Many women take this disease lightly and do not see it as a direct threat to health. In addition, there is a very common opinion that dysfunction is just a minor malfunction of the body, with which you can live safely, but it is useless to treat it. This approach is fundamentally wrong. Firstly, ovarian dysfunction may be a manifestation of some deep hormonal imbalances that require certain correction. Not to mention that it is unlikely that you will be able to “live well,” because dysfunction is almost always accompanied by physical and moral discomfort and pain. A woman is forced to constantly use analgesics, the body gradually gets used to them, the pain intensifies again... It turns out to be a vicious circle.
The main symptom of dysfunctional bleeding is irregular menstrual cycle. The reason to consult a doctor is when the interval between menstruation is less than 21 days and more than 35 days. It is also not considered normal if:
- menstruation lasts more than 7 days;
- menstrual bleeding is very heavy, a woman is forced to change pads or tampons every hour, including at night;
- Menstruation is accompanied by severe nagging pain in the lower abdomen.
If such symptoms recur over three or more menstrual cycles, then you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Endocrine causes are not always the cause of dysfunction. The functioning of the ovaries can also be affected by factors such as:
- overweight or underweight;
- diabetes;
- frequent stress and depression;
- infectious diseases (flu, pneumonia, sore throat);
- strict diet and fasting;
- genital infection;
- sudden climate change.
Therefore, when going to see a doctor, be prepared that he will ask you questions about your diet, nervous stress, previous diseases and changes in the climatic environment.
Diagnosis of ovarian dysfunction includes a gynecological examination, smear analysis, blood test for hormones, ultrasound of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and pelvic organs. The doctor may also prescribe magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and separate diagnostic curettage of the uterus.
Treatment is selected individually in each case. First of all, it is aimed at normalizing hormonal levels and correcting lifestyle. In any case, the doctor tries to choose the most gentle therapy. In cases where adolescents or premenopausal women suffer from dysfunction, it is often enough to reduce the level of tension, review the diet and allocate time for active rest and good sleep. The body reacts sensitively to changes that are favorable to it and successfully self-regulates without drug treatment.
Drug treatment
How to stop bleeding during menstruation with clots is decided by the doctor strictly individually. It all depends on the cause of its occurrence. Taking medications on your own is strictly prohibited, as this can be harmful to health. If the disorder is not too severe, the patient may be prescribed medications such as:
- "Dicynon";
- "Ascorutin";
- "Calcium gluconate".
The drug "Ditsinon" acts very quickly. Menstruation becomes moderate three hours after taking the medicine. A drug is also prescribed to prevent severe discharge. Intravenous administration of the drug gives results within 20 minutes. Side effects include hypotension, itching, heartburn, rashes, and nausea.
The drug "Ascorutin" helps strengthen blood vessels, due to which the body loses much less blood. It has a cumulative effect, which is why heavy bleeding in women can be stopped only with regular use for at least 3 weeks. That is why tablets are often recommended as a preventive measure for uterine bleeding and after surgery.
The drug "Calcium Gluconate" increases blood clotting and also reduces vascular permeability. Initially, the drug is administered intravenously at a dosage of 5-15 ml. Then the medicine is prescribed in tablet form up to 6 times daily.
Additionally, it is recommended to take the drug "Vikasol". It is a source of vitamin K. This is the main component of protein involved in regulating blood clotting processes. Medicine is prescribed only if it is determined that the cause of heavy menstruation is considered to be a lack of this vitamin in the body.
Very severe bleeding can be stopped with the help of the drug Tranexam. This remedy additionally has an analgesic, anti-allergenic, and anti-inflammatory effect. A side effect may be the formation of blood clots.
Additionally, the doctor prescribes hormonal medications. The doctor selects a treatment regimen separately for each woman, depending on the diagnosis. New generation hormonal contraceptives are successfully used in gynecology to eliminate disorders of the reproductive organs, restoring their function. This is a good prevention of tumor tumors.
There are strong drugs with a high estrogen content, as well as mild drugs intended for nulliparous women. Among the most popular drugs are “Rigevidon”, “Novinet”, “Jess”. Contraceptives do not give quick results, but restore the normal cycle gradually.
It is recommended to use preparations with iron. This will prevent the development of anemia. Additionally, drugs with anti-inflammatory properties are used, which affect the duration of blood flow.
Bleeding due to uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, endometrial and cervical canal polyps
Uterine fibroids, endometriosis and polyps and endometrial hyperplasia are diseases associated with benign growth of uterine tissue. They appear most often during reproductive age.
All this pathology is easily diagnosed using ultrasound. As a rule, no additional examination methods are required. You can read about possible treatment options for uterine fibroids in the corresponding section of the website www. ya-zdorova.ru. In the presence of pathology of the uterine cavity, hysteroscopy with the appropriate amount of surgical intervention is indicated to eliminate the cause of bleeding.
Other means
In order to subsequently prevent heavy bleeding during menstruation, you need to completely reconsider your lifestyle during treatment. It is important to completely eliminate alcohol and reduce the consumption of strong tea and coffee. You need to give up active sports during your period and not lift weights.
Increased bleeding can be provoked by taking a hot bath, visiting a sauna, bathhouse, and performing any other procedures involving thermal effects. That is why it is better to refuse them.
In very difficult situations, hemostatic drugs may be completely powerless. The only treatment method in this case will be mechanical removal of endometrial remnants from the uterine cavity. With very intense blood loss, a transfusion of blood or its components may be required.
Only the attending doctor should choose a treatment method after conducting a number of diagnostic procedures. Self-medication can only worsen a woman’s condition and pose a real threat to her life.
Bleeding in cancer
One of the first manifestations of uterine and cervical cancer is uterine bleeding, although, as a rule, the process may not be at such early stages. It may not cause the woman any painful sensations, be scanty and short-lived. If such bleeding occurs during a regular menstrual cycle, you should immediately consult a doctor.
A timely visit to a gynecologist allows you to detect a tumor at an early stage and significantly increases the chances of a successful cure. The diagnosis can be made based on a gynecological examination, ultrasound and a number of tests.
Possible complications
Heavy bleeding during menstruation can cause dangerous complications for a woman. Anemia begins to develop. Low iron levels negatively affect a woman’s well-being, causing drowsiness, dry skin, weakness, brittle nails and hair.
If the cause of intense bleeding is endometriosis, then in the absence of proper treatment the woman may remain infertile. Malignant neoplasms lead to death. Large blood loss can cause hemorrhagic shock, which leads to death.
Obstetric hemorrhage
This term refers to intense bleeding that occurs immediately after childbirth. Their cause is a violation of the contractility of the uterus (atony or hypotension of the uterus), or a pathology associated with the blood coagulation system. Hypotony is a decrease in the tone of the uterus, which leads to its inability to actively contract. Atony is a complete loss of the ability to contract and respond adequately to medications and other types of stimulation. Obstetric hemorrhage is very dangerous because it leads to a large loss of blood in a short time. Very often the question is literally about saving a woman’s life - and then doctors decide on a hysterectomy, that is, removal of the uterus.
Main reasons
For the body, significant blood loss is considered a very dangerous condition. Heavy bleeding is mainly explained by a pathological process that occurs in the female reproductive system. Basically, such pathologies do not pose a threat to life, but they provoke a deterioration in health, low iron levels, anemia, and problems in sexual life. That is why, in order to prevent the occurrence of pathology, it is necessary to take into account the main provoking causes of severe bleeding. These include:
- abortion;
- infectious diseases;
- C-section;
- prolonged stress or depression;
- avitaminosis;
- frequent diets;
- blood clotting disorder;
- problems with hormonal levels.
Lifting heavy objects or exercising too intensely can also cause heavy bleeding. Inflammatory processes, neoplasms and gynecological pathologies have a great influence.
Bleeding during menopause
Menopause is a natural physiological process. You shouldn’t be overly emotional or wary about him. But at the same time, a woman during menopause needs to listen to her condition so as not to miss truly significant and alarming symptoms. One of them is bleeding.
Uterine bleeding during menopause may indicate disturbances in the functioning of the hormonal system, the occurrence of tumors in the body of the uterus or in the ovaries. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose the disease using ultrasound and tests.
I would like to say a few words about bleeding during sexual intercourse. If this symptom appears, you should definitely consult a doctor. They may indicate cervical disease, be a manifestation of endometriosis, as well as vaginal pathology. In some cases, spotting during sexual intercourse may be associated with dryness of the vaginal mucosa, for example, during the postmenopausal period. In any case, to clarify the diagnosis, you must consult a doctor.
Carrying out the operation
Answering the question of how to stop heavy bleeding during menstruation, it must be said that in some cases surgery may be required. Among the main indications for intervention it should be noted:
- heavy bleeding with recurrent occurrence;
- physiological disorders and damage to genital tissue;
- lack of results after drug therapy;
- pronounced signs of anemia.
In case of severe bleeding, hysteroscopy may be prescribed as a diagnosis. It allows you to identify uterine pathologies and then eliminate them. If heavy menstruation occurs due to fibroids or polyps, then they are removed. Women over 40 can have their uterus completely removed.
How to feel about “grandmothers’ recipes”?
In preparing this article, we conducted a survey and found out that, without exaggeration, a huge number of women are trying to cope with the situation of uterine bleeding on their own - using traditional medicine recipes. Naturally, in this case we are talking about moderate or scanty bleeding. The reasons for this state of affairs most likely lie in the absence of a certain culture of treatment and constant monitoring of one’s health. On the other hand, many books and brochures with various folk recipes can now be bought at any bookstore. It is also not difficult to find such information on the Internet. Recipes based on nettle, yarrow, St. John's wort, and viburnum are presented there as safe, effective, affordable, and, moreover, tested by several generations of women.
Without criticizing traditional medicine and recognizing its merits, we would like to focus your attention, first of all, on the inadmissibility of self-medication in case of uterine bleeding. As noted above, the causes of bleeding can be different. Bleeding is only a consequence, a symptom of the disease. You need to treat what caused it: tumor, dysfunction, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, etc. Therefore, it is extremely important to consult a doctor in a timely manner and correctly diagnose the causes of bleeding. And only then, in the treatment regimen, in some cases folk remedies can be used.
Folk remedies
Many women are interested in what to do if there is heavy bleeding and whether this problem can be eliminated using folk remedies. Such methods can only be used after a comprehensive diagnosis and permission from the treating doctor. Self-medication is very dangerous, as it can lead to aggravation of the problem and complications.
If the causes of heavy discharge are stress and overwork, as well as a lack of nutrients, you need to brew 2 tbsp with boiling water. l. nettles, leave to stand for 10 minutes. Filter and drink in 2 doses on an empty stomach. Instead of nettle, you can use shepherd's purse grass. An infusion from it is prepared in a similar way.
Mix chopped raspberry and mint leaves in equal proportions. Brew as tea and drink 3 days before the onset of menstruation and until its end every day. A decoction of corn silk will help stop bleeding. You need to drink it throughout the day.
An alcohol solution prepared with water pepper significantly reduces the intensity and duration of discharge. You can buy it at the pharmacy. Drink as prescribed by the doctor for heavy bleeding during menstruation, as well as after surgery. The course of therapy is selected strictly individually.
If the bleeding is very severe, then bird knotweed can be used. Take 12 g of the plant, add 1 tbsp. boiling water When the product is well infused, you need to drink it 1 tbsp. l. three times a day. This infusion has pronounced analgesic and hemostatic properties. It is good for heavy uterine or menstrual bleeding.
Take 1 tbsp. l. lilacs and pour 500 ml of water. Then simmer for 15 minutes covered. Then cool the product a little and filter. Drink daily in the morning 20 minutes before eating. The dosage of the healing decoction is 100 g.
The herbal mixture gives good results. To do this, you will need 5 parts of cinquefoil, 3 parts of centaury and 1 part each of horsetail and knotweed. Mix everything thoroughly, 1 tbsp. l. collection pour 1 tbsp. boiling water and let it brew for at least 1 hour. Filter and drink the product in small sips throughout the day. The course of therapy lasts 10 days. This healing remedy not only normalizes the volume of discharge, but also helps eliminate severe pain.
Viburnum bark can be used for therapy. This will require 4 tsp. vegetable raw materials. First you need to grind it well. Then pour 1 tbsp. water and boil for 30 minutes. While the liquid is hot, it must be filtered and boiled water added to the original volume. Drink 1 tbsp. l. three times a day before eating. This remedy is used for uterine bleeding and hemorrhoidal hemorrhages. It helps not only to normalize the amount of discharge, but also to reduce the severity of pain.
For heavy and painful periods, barberry can be used. Take 1 tbsp. l. leaves of this plant, pour into a glass container, add ½ tbsp. 70% alcohol. Place the container in a dark place for 7 days, filter. Drink 30 drops twice a day. It is worth considering that this remedy has a choleretic effect.
Based on oak bark, you can prepare a decoction using water or wine. It is recommended to use it for insertion into the vagina. On the first day, use 1 tbsp. l. solution, from 2 to 5 days, 2 tbsp. l. Then apply 1 tbsp again. l. liquids.
These remedies are considered quite effective, but it is necessary to take into account the existing contraindications.
