Causes of Excessive Bleeding

Approximately 30% of all hysterectomies performed in the United States are to treat heavy menstrual bleeding. Conservative therapy, which is now the trend, also helps to control costs and allow women to keep their uterus intact. For many women, heavy menstrual bleeding is very subjective. By definition menorrhagia is menstruation at regular cyclical intervals but with increased flow and length of the menstrual cycle. It is one of the most common complaints in gynecology. By clinical definition, menorrhagia means total blood loss greater than 80 ml per cycle or menstruation that lasts longer than 7 days. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 18 million women in the 30-55-year-old age group complain that their menstrual bleeding is excessive. Of this group, only 10% experienced blood loss which is great enough to cause anemia or is clinically defined as menorrhagia. A