How to Manage PCOS Related Heavy Bleeding
One in every five Indian women is affected by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS. Among other symptoms, a common challenge for ladies with PCOS is menorrhagia, aka abnormally heavy periods. While a normal period is associated with blood loss of 40-40 ml, women with heavy bleeding lose over 80ml per period. That’s over 16 teaspoons of blood in the course of 7 or more days.
How can you tell if you have heavy periods?
If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, you may be having heavier periods than other ladies.
- Do you change your sanitary pads every couple of hours?
- Do you notice large coin-sized blood clots in your discharge?
- Do you find your clothes and bedspreads stained often?
- Do you use a combination of sanitary products for maximum protection – such as using pads with menstrual cups or tampons?
Additionally, women with heavy bleeding feel exhausted and dizzy during periods. They may look pale and anemic on account of loss of blood iron. Severe cramps can prevent them from participating in day-to-day activities and affect their academic and professional performance. The constant anxiety of staining can push them into leading a sedentary life during periods.
Thus, excessive menstrual bleeding can cause severe medical, mental, and social distress, but there are ways of managing it to regain control over your life.
How can you manage abnormal uterine bleeding?
Depending on the underlying cause of heavy periods, there are a variety of treatments and management techniques. If you have PCOS related abnormal periods, your doctor may discuss some of the following methods with you:
- Aiming for a healthy lifestyle:
Leading an active life with a balanced diet is one of the first steps in PCOS management. Particularly, if you are overweight, studies show that by losing 5-10% of your body weight, you can improve your menstrual regularity.
Further, your diet will be aimed at helping you maintain a healthy weight and hormonal balance. A good diet can improve other conditions such as acne, irregular periods, and fertility. Since women with PCOS are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, a good diet with lots of vegetables, unrefined carbohydrates, and protein is needed to balance insulin production.
- Improve your mental health:
PCOS can be associated with severe anxiety, mental fatigue, and reduced cognition. Women with heavy periods can lose up to 3 hours of sleep per night due to a constant fear of staining. A great way to alleviate bedtime anxiety is to use heavy-duty sanitary pads that are specially designed for heavy flow. Look for features such as extra length, absorbent cores, extra-wide wings, and leak protection barriers. Some pads are specially formulated to stay hygienic over several hours of absorption.
Further, Complementary Alternative Medical practitioners recommend mindfulness and yoga to help calm your heightened senses and relax your muscles.
- Medical intervention:
Medicines can be taken orally or placed with the help of intra-uterine devices. Oral medication usually comes in the form of hormonal pills. You may be recommended contraceptive pills, insulin-sensitizers, testosterone lowering hormones, and anti-depressants. Ask your doctor about the risks involved and what medications are suitable if you want to conceive.
- Surgical intervention:
As a last resort, doctors may recommend surgical methods of reducing your abnormal bleeding. After gauging the problematic areas in your uterus with a hysteroscopy, doctors may perform endometrial ablation. They will essentially remove some of the tissue linings in your uterus.
It is only advised for women who do not want to get pregnant. For women closer to menopause, doctors may recommend a hysterectomy; it is a procedure where the uterus is entirely removed. It is a major, irreversible operation, and you should discuss its pros and cons thoroughly with your doctor.
In conclusion:
PCOS is a fairly common hormonal problem that can be managed with lifestyle and dietary changes. Associated problems such as abnormal bleeding can be managed with appropriate sanitary products. Also, it can give your mind a huge confidence boost if you talk to your friends and support groups about the challenges that you overcome. With a healthy body and a healthy mind, you can reclaim your life from PCOS.