What is Menorrhagia and how to manage it?

Does Shark Week, Mother Nature’s Gift, Crimson Tide or a visit from Aunt Flow sound familiar? For years now, women all around the world have been putting their own quirky spin on the infamous ‘time of the month’ by giving it hilarious nicknames! While these period euphemisms sure do sound fun, the technical term (used most frequently in the medical community) for a heavy flow period is Menorrhagia.

Did you know? Menorrhagia comes from two words: ‘Meno’, a Latin word meaning month and ‘rrhag,’ which stems from the Greek word ‘rhēgnunai,’ meaning discharge or to burst. The combined meaning of these two words roughly translates to monthly discharge, which is what we have now come to know as menstruation.

What is Menorrhagia?

Simply put, Menorrhagia is a disorder that causes heavy flow periods to last for more than 7 days. If you have this condition, chances are you could be soaking through multiple pads every few hours, passing blood clots as big as INR 10 coins or even experiencing weakness, fatigue, and much more.

If this sounds like something you are experiencing and would like to know more about the causes and the various symptoms of Menorrhagia, do give our Menstrual Bleeding - Understanding Heavy Period Flow article a read, we’ll wait!

What Causes Menorrhagia?

Ever wondered what causes heavy bleeding during periods? Menorrhagia is typically caused due to the following reasons:

• uterine pathology
• including fibroids
• polyps
• adenomyosis
• uterine cancer
• bleeding disorders
• medication side effects
• liver or kidney disease

Tips to Manage Menorrhagia

Now that we are all caught up, something that all of us can definitely agree upon is just how stressful Menorrhagia management is. But don’t you worry, we’ve got your back! Here are some simple, easy and effective tips to help you manage your period better. Read on!

Tip #1: Always Stay Armed

Dealing with a heavy flow period is very similar to preparing for battle. It involves blood, requires a clear plan of action and is definitely the right kind of tool. We would recommend carrying an emergency or travel period kit with you at all times. You can always customize your kit, but here are some basic essentials to get you started:

• Menstrual products of your choosing
• Pantyliners
• A pair of clothes and extra panties
• Disposable bags
• Anti-bacterial wipes

P.S. Don’t forget to pack extra supplies for backup and share them with your fellow warriors, too!

Tip #2: Stay Informed

Due to the taboo that exists around menstruation, women have always been afraid of asking the right questions when it comes to having a heavy flow period. So when in doubt, pay a quick visit to your doctor. Apart from being a credible source and addressing all your concerns related to Menorrhagia, they may also suggest suitable treatment options to help you manage your condition better. Remember: The more informed you are, the more prepared you will be!

Tip #3: Track your cycle

Everyone loves surprises...as long as it is not related to their period! Whether it is an old-school calendar or a tech-savvy digital tracker, make sure to keep track of your menstrual cycle. Knowing which days to expect your period on will not only help you manage your period and mood better but also give you the foresight to plan your time accordingly. Win-Win!

If you don’t know where to start, here’s a Menstrual chart and scoring system for tracking your heavy flow period!

If you don’t know where to start, here’s a Menstrual chart and scoring system for tracking your heavy flow period!

Instructions: Use the scoring system to write down the number of pads used per day based on the saturation (light, moderate and completely saturated) and the clot size based on the size (small or large). If your period lasts longer than 10 days, please use a second chart to continue the tracking process. Quick Tip: You could also take this chart along the next time you plan to visit your doctor!

Tip #4: Get plenty of rest and take care of your body

A well-rested body and mind can do wonders! Heavy flow periods can be extremely strenuous for your body, so make sure you have the right lifestyle habits in place to help ease the pain and stress of a heavy flow period.

We suggest getting plenty of sleep, eating balanced nutritious meals and exercising regularly. It’s not only draining for your body but also for your mind. Make sure you practice meditation, yoga and other self-care practices for improved mental health.

On average, a woman will lose up to 80 ml of blood during one cycle, so it is very important to find the appropriate menorrhagia pads for a heavy flow. RIO, the best heavy flow pads, offer a unique solution to this problem. With its 3x more absorption, fast liquid distribution and anti-bacterial SAP technology, these heavy-duty pads will leave you feeling tension free! If that’s not all, RIO’s travel-friendly Stay Armed Pouch helps you be prepared even on the most hectic of days!

When to see a doctor

The best treatment for menorrhagia can only be sought from a health professional. Yoga for menorrhagia could be one of the ways of heavy menstrual bleeding management. If your period lasts longer than seven days or if you soak through a pad in an hour, your period might not be a normal period. Run to your ob-gyn as fast as you can!

So, there you have it! Our take on how you can manage a heavy period with ease. Pass the beacon of knowledge forward and share this information with your loved ones. Let us know in the comments below your go-to tips for managing a heavy flow period!