Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia)

Heavy periods or Menorrhagia is defined as excessive blood loss at the time of a period, which interferes with the quality of a woman’s life. It can be associated with pain either at the time of a period or at other times during the cycle. It can also be associated with anaemia causing excessive tiredness.

Causes of menorrhagia include:

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (No cause found on investigation)
Fibroids
Adenomyosis
Endometriosis
Thickening of the lining of the uterus (endometrial hyperplasia)
Abnormal function of the thyroid gland
Abnormal blood clotting

Further investigations may include:

Blood test to check for anaemia, thyroid and blood clotting abnormalities
Ultrasound scan to check for abnormal thickening of the uterus lining, fibroids and ovarian cysts
Endometrial sampling (taking a sample from the lining of the uterus)
Pipelle sample
Hysteroscopy with dilatation and curettage (D&C)

Treatment options include:

Non hormonal treatment with Cyklokapron
The oral contraceptive pill
The Mirena Intrauterine Device (IUCD)
Endometrial resection or ablation
Laparoscopy with removal of fibroids (if present) via Myomectomy procedure
Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus with conservation of the ovaries)

Frequently asked questions about Heavy Periods

- What are the advantages and disadvantages of having an Endometrial Resection to manage my heavy periods as opposed to having a Hysterectomy?

Advantages:

Day-stay procedure
Less discomfort
Faster recovery
Less time away from work
No abdominal incisions

Disadvantages:

Is an operation for menstrual reduction
Cannot guarantee periods will stop
Ongoing contraception is required after surgery – unless a Mirena is also placed.
Only suitable for those women with regular heavy periods
Not suitable for women with an associated pain syndrome
Quoted long-term failure rate is 10-15%

- Do I need to have medical insurance?

No, medical insurance is not essential. However, it is important to obtain costings for the consultation and any proposed surgery prior to embarking on any course of action.

- Will medical insurance companies cover the procedures we offer?

In most cases the surgical procedures we perform are covered by medical insurance. It is important to obtain prior approval from your insurance company before surgery. Linda my Secretary will give you a breakdown of the costs related to your surgery.

- If I am seen in Private can I be operated on by you in a Public Hospital?

Unfortunately I do not work in the Public Hospital system. In this instance I would refer you to the appropriate hospital depending on where you live in Auckland.

- I am concerned I will not be able to absorb all the information I am given during my consultation. How can I learn more about my condition and proposed management?

Studies have shown that at most we retain somewhere between 30-40% of what we are told at a medical consultation. For this reason we have developed this website so that information relevant to your condition is available to you at any time. You are encouraged to bring a support person to your consultation, as having two people will enhance retention of the information given. You will also be given written information at the conclusion of your consultation.

- What happens if I have any worries or concerns after surgery?

Written post-operative information will be given to you before going home, and these hand-outs can also be found on our website (view recovery guide). My telephone number is included in this information and I would encourage you to phone me if you have any concerns.

- Is minimal access surgery such as Laparoscopic surgery better than more conventional open surgery?

Minimal access surgery has the advantage of more precise surgery; less discomfort post operatively, shorter stay in hospital and early return to work.