Condition
Menorrhagia
Menorrhagia is abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding that can interfere with quality of life and lead to iron deficiency.
Justin Cooke, BHSc Clinical Herbalist · November 14, 2017 4 Herbs // 7 Differentials
Overview
Aetiology
Causes Can Include:
- Functional menorrhagia
- Uterine fibroids
- uterine polyps
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Contraception (IUD)
- Non-gynecological Causes
- Blood/Hematological
- Endocrine (Liver, Thyroid, or Adrenal dysfunction)
- Miscarriage
- Relative estrogen excess / Liver congestion
- Prostaglandin imbalance
- Poor uterine tone
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Debility or constitutional weakness
Assessment
Diagnostic Considerations
- Iron studies
- Full blood count
- Coagulation factors (rule out von Willebrand disease; ITP; and factor II, V, VII, or IX deficiency)
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (pregnancy test)
- Thyroid function tests and prolactin level
- Liver function and/or renal function tests
- Hormone assays
- Pap smear
Assessment
Differential Diagnosis
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometrial polyps
- Adenomyosis
- Endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma
- Coagulation disorders
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Pregnancy-related bleeding
The Herbs
Materia Medica (4)
Herbs traditionally or clinically used for menorrhagia.
