Causes of Menorrhagia
List of causes of Menorrhagia
Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions
(see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Menorrhagia)
that could possibly cause Menorrhagia includes:
More causes:
see full list of causes for Menorrhagia
Causes of Menorrhagia (Diseases Database):
The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Menorrhagia
that are listed by the Diseases Database:
Source: Diseases Database
Menorrhagia Causes: Book Excerpts
Menorrhagia as a symptom:
Conditions listing Menorrhagia
as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Menorrhagia.
Our database lists the following as having
Menorrhagia as a symptom of that condition:
Related information on causes of Menorrhagia:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
Further relevant information on causes of Menorrhagia may be found in:
Causes of Menorrhagia: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the causes of Menorrhagia.
Dysmenorrhea:
Differential Diagnosis
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Primary dysmenorrhea
–Symptoms develop before age 25
–Pain occurs with onset of bleeding, then gradually diminishes
- Secondary dysmenorrhea
–Endometriosis (uterosacral ligament nodules, severe dysmenorrhea)
–Adenomyosis (enlarged uterus, menorrhagia, age 40–50, parous)
–Acute PID (acute adnexal and cervical motion tenderness, fever, discharge, and/or new-onset dysmenorrhea)
–Chronic PID (due to scarring)
–Uterine leiomyoma/fibroids (enlarged, mobile uterus, menorrhagia)
–Ovarian cysts (new dysmenorrhea, unilateral fullness)
-
Mental health issues
–Somatization
–Substance abuse
–Depression
–Sexual abuse
-
Extrapelvic disorders
–Irritable bowel syndrome
–Appendicitis
–Urinary tract infection
–Inflammatory bowel disease
–Diverticulitis
–Cholecystitis
-
Fibromyalgia
-
Malformations of the müllerian ducts
-
Interstitial cystitis
-
Intestinal or uteropelvic junction obstruction
-
Malignancy (e.g., uterine, ovarian)
-
Ectopic pregnancy
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Dysmenorrhea:
Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
Adenomyosis.
In adenomyosis, endometrial tissue invades the myometrium, resulting in severe dysmenorrhea with pain radiating to the back or rectum, menorrhagia, and a symmetrically enlarged, globular uterus that's usually softer on palpation than a uterine myoma.
Cervical stenosis.
Cervical stenosis is a structural disorder that causes dysmenorrhea and scant or absent menstrual flow.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis typically produces steady, aching pain that begins before menses and peaks at the height of menstrual flow; however, the pain may also occur between menstrual periods. The pain may arise at the endometrial deposit site or may radiate to the perineum or rectum. Associated signs and symptoms include premenstrual spotting, dyspareunia, infertility, nausea and vomiting, painful defecation, and rectal bleeding and hematuria during menses. A tender, fixed adnexal mass is usually palpable on bimanual examination.
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Chronic infection produces dysmenorrhea accompanied by a fever; malaise; foul-smelling, purulent vaginal discharge; menorrhagia; dyspareunia; severe abdominal pain; nausea and vomiting; and diarrhea. A pelvic examination may reveal cervical motion tenderness and bilateral adnexal tenderness.
PMS
The cramping pain of PMS usually begins with menstrual flow and persists for several hours or days, diminishing with decreasing flow. Common associated effects precede menses by several days to 2 weeks: abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, palpitations, diaphoresis, flushing, depression, and irritability. Other findings include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a headache. Because PMS usually follows an ovulatory cycle, it rarely occurs during the first 12 months of menses, which may be anovulatory.
Primary (idiopathic) dysmenorrhea
Increased prostaglandin secretion intensifies uterine contractions, apparently causing mild to severe spasmodic cramping pain in the lower abdomen, which radiates to the sacrum and inner thighs. The cramping abdominal pain peaks a few hours before menses. Patients may also experience nausea and vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, and a headache.
Uterine leiomyomas
If these tumors twist or degenerate after circulatory occlusion or infection or if the uterus contracts in an attempt to expel them, the tumors may cause constant or intermittent lower abdominal pain that worsens with menses. Associated signs and symptoms include backache, constipation, menorrhagia, and urinary frequency or retention. Palpation may reveal the tumor mass and an enlarged uterus. The tumors are almost always nontender.
Other causes
Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
IUDs may cause severe cramping and heavy menstrual flow.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Metrorrhagia:
Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
Cervicitis
Cervicitis is a nonspecific infection that may cause spontaneous bleeding, spotting, or posttraumatic bleeding. Assessment reveals red, granular, irregular lesions on the external cervix. Purulent vaginal discharge (with or without odor), lower abdominal pain, and a fever may occur.
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Abnormal uterine bleeding not caused by pregnancy or major gynecologic disorders usually occurs as metrorrhagia, although menorrhagia is possible. Bleeding may be profuse or scant, intermittent or constant.
Endometrial polyps
In most patients, endometrial polyps cause abnormal bleeding, usually intermenstrual or postmenopausal; however, some patients do remain asymptomatic.
Endometriosis
Metrorrhagia (usually premenstrual) may be the only indication of endometriosis or it may accompany cyclical pelvic discomfort, infertility, and dyspareunia. A tender, fixed adnexal mass may be palpable on bimanual examination.
Endometritis
Endometritis causes metrorrhagia, purulent vaginal discharge, and enlargement of the uterus. It also produces a fever, lower abdominal pain, and abdominal muscle spasm.
Gynecologic cancer
Metrorrhagia is commonly an early sign of cervical or uterine cancer. Later, the patient may experience weight loss, pelvic pain, fatigue and, possibly, an abdominal mass.
Uterine leiomyomas
Besides metrorrhagia, uterine leiomyomas may cause increasing abdominal girth and heaviness in the abdomen, constipation, and urinary frequency or urgency. The patient may report pain if the uterus attempts to expel the tumor through contractions and if the tumors twist or necrose after circulatory occlusion or infection, but the patient with leiomyomas is usually asymptomatic.
Vaginal adenosis
Vaginal adenosis commonly produces metrorrhagia. Palpation reveals roughening or nodules in affected vaginal areas.
Other causes
Drugs
Anticoagulants and oral, injectable, or implanted contraceptives may cause metrorrhagia.
Herb Alert
Herbal remedies, such as ginseng, can cause postmenopausal bleeding.
Surgery and procedures
Cervical conization and cauterization may cause metrorrhagia.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Menorrhagia:
Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
Blood dyscrasias
Menorrhagia is one of several possible signs of a bleeding disorder. Other possible associated findings include epistaxis, bleeding gums, purpura, hematemesis, hematuria, and melena.
Hypothyroidism
Menorrhagia is a common early sign and is accompanied by such nonspecific findings as fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, and weight gain despite anorexia. As hypothyroidism progresses, intellectual and motor activity decrease; the skin becomes dry, pale, cool, and doughy; the hair becomes dry and sparse; and the nails become thick and brittle. Myalgia, hoarseness, a decreased libido, and infertility commonly occur. Eventually, the patient develops a characteristic dull, expressionless face and edema of the face, hands, and feet.
Also, deep tendon reflexes are delayed, and bradycardia and abdominal distention may occur.
Uterine fibroids
Menorrhagia is the most common sign, but other forms of abnormal uterine bleeding as well as dysmenorrhea or leukorrhea can also occur. Possible related findings include abdominal pain, a feeling of abdominal heaviness, a backache, constipation, urinary urgency or frequency, and an enlarged uterus, which is usually nontender.
Other causes
Drugs
The use of a hormonal contraceptive may cause a sudden onset of profuse, prolonged menorrhagia. Anticoagulants have also been associated with excessive menstrual flow. Injectable or implanted contraceptives may cause menorrhagia in some women.
Herb Alert
Herbal remedies, such as ginseng, can cause postmenopausal bleeding.
Intrauterine devices
Menorrhagia can result from the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Dysmenorrhea:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Although primary dysmenorrhea has no known single cause, possible contributing factors include hormonal imbalances and psychogenic factors. The pain of dysmenorrhea probably results from increased prostaglandin secretion, which intensifies normal uterine contractions. (See Causes of pelvic pain, page 938.) Dysmenorrhea may also be secondary to such gynecologic disorders as endometriosis, cervical stenosis, uterine leiomyomas, uterine malposition, pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic tumors, or adenomyosis.
Because dysmenorrhea almost always follows an ovulatory cycle, both the primary and secondary forms are rare during the anovulatory cycles of menses. After age 20, dysmenorrhea is generally secondary.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Dysmenorrhea:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Adenomyosis
In this disorder, endometrial tissue invades the myometrium, resulting in severe dysmenorrhea with pain radiating to the back or rectum, menorrhagia, and a symmetrically enlarged, globular uterus that’s usually softer on palpation than a uterine myoma.
Cervical stenosis
This structural disorder causes dysmenorrhea and scant or absent menstrual flow.
Endometriosis
In this disorder, steady, aching pain typically begins before menses and peaks at the height of menstrual flow, but it may also occur between menstrual periods. The pain may arise at the endometrial deposit site or may radiate to the perineum or rectum. Associated signs and symptoms include premenstrual spotting, dyspareunia, infertility, nausea and vomiting, painful defecation, and rectal bleeding and hematuria during menses. A tender, fixed adnexal mass is usually palpable on bimanual examination.
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Chronic infection produces dysmenorrhea accompanied by fever; malaise; a foul-smelling, purulent vaginal discharge; menorrhagia; dyspareunia; severe abdominal pain; nausea and vomiting; and diarrhea. A pelvic examination may reveal cervical motion tenderness and bilateral adnexal tenderness.
PMS
The cramping pain of PMS usually begins with menstrual flow and persists for several hours or days, diminishing as flow decreases. Abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, palpitations, diaphoresis, flushing, depression, and irritability commonly precede menses by several days to 2 weeks. Other findings include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. Because PMS usually follows an ovulatory cycle, it rarely occurs during the first 12 months of menses, which may be anovulatory.
Primary (idiopathic) dysmenorrhea
Increased prostaglandin secretion intensifies uterine contractions, apparently causing mild to severe spasmodic cramping pain in the lower abdomen, which radiates to the sacrum and inner thighs. The cramping abdominal pain peaks a few hours before menses. Patients may also experience nausea and vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, and headache.
Uterine leiomyomas
If these tumors twist or degenerate after circulatory occlusion or infection or if the uterus contracts in an attempt to expel them, they may cause constant or intermittent lower abdominal pain that worsens with menses. Associated signs and symptoms include backache, constipation, menorrhagia, and urinary frequency or retention. Palpation may reveal the tumor mass and an enlarged uterus. The tumors are almost always nontender.
Other causes
Intrauterine devices
These devices may cause severe cramping and heavy menstrual flow.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Metrorrhagia:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Cervicitis
This nonspecific infection may cause spontaneous bleeding, spotting, or posttraumatic bleeding. Assessment reveals red, granular, irregular lesions on the external cervix. Purulent vaginal discharge (with or without odor), lower abdominal pain, and fever may occur.
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Abnormal uterine bleeding not caused by pregnancy or major gynecologic disorders usually occurs as metrorrhagia, although menorrhagia is possible. Bleeding may be profuse or scant, intermittent or constant.
Endometrial polyps
In most patients, this disorder causes abnormal bleeding, usually intermenstrual or postmenopausal; however, some patients do remain asymptomatic.
Endometriosis
Metrorrhagia (usually premenstrual) may be the only indication of this disorder, or it may accompany cyclical pelvic discomfort, infertility, and dyspareunia. A tender, fixed adnexal mass may be palpable on bimanual examination.
Endometritis
This disorder causes metrorrhagia, purulent vaginal discharge, and enlargement of the uterus. It also produces fever, lower abdominal pain, and abdominal muscle spasm.
Gynecologic cancer
Metrorrhagia is commonly an early sign of cervical or uterine cancer. Later, the patient may experience weight loss, pelvic pain, fatigue and, possibly, an abdominal mass.
Syphilis
Primary- or secondary-stage syphilis may cause metrorrhagia and postcoital bleeding. In primary syphilis, one or more usually painless chancres erupt on the genitalia and possibly other areas. In secondary syphilis, generalized lymphadenopathy may appear, along with a rash on the arms, trunk, palms, soles, face, and scalp.
Uterine leiomyomas
Besides metrorrhagia, these tumors may cause increasing abdominal girth and heaviness in the abdomen, constipation, and urinary frequency or urgency. The patient may report pain if the uterus attempts to expel the tumor through contractions and if the tumors twist or necrose after circulatory occlusion or infection, but many women with leiomyomas are asymptomatic.
Vaginal adenosis
This disorder commonly produces metrorrhagia. Palpation reveals roughening or nodules in affected vaginal areas.
Other causes
Drugs
Anticoagulants and oral, injectable, or implanted contraceptives may cause metrorrhagia.
Herb Alert
Herbal remedies, such as ginseng, can cause postmenopausal bleeding.
Surgery and procedures
Cervical conization and cauterization may cause metrorrhagia.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Menorrhagia:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Blood dyscrasias
Menorrhagia is one of several possible signs of a bleeding disorder. Other possible associated findings include epistaxis, bleeding gums, purpura, hematemesis, hematuria, and melena.
Endometriosis
Menorrhagia may be a sign of this disorder, in which endometrial tissue is found outside the lining of the uterine cavity. However, the classic symptom is dysmenorrhea. Other findings depend on the location of the ectopic tissue outside the uterus but may include dyspareunia, suprapubic pain, dysuria, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, cyclic pelvic pain, and infertility. Often a tender, fixed adnexal mass is palpable on bimanual examination.
Hypothyroidism
Menorrhagia is a common early sign and is accompanied by such nonspecific findings as fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, and weight gain despite anorexia. As hypothyroidism progresses, intellectual and motor activity decrease; the skin becomes dry, pale, cool, and doughy; the hair becomes dry and sparse; and the nails become thick and brittle. Myalgia, hoarseness, decreased libido, and infertility commonly occur. Eventually, the patient develops a characteristic dull, expressionless face and edema of the face, hands, and feet.
Also, deep tendon reflexes are delayed, and bradycardia and abdominal distention may occur.
Uterine fibroids
Menorrhagia is the most common sign, but other forms of abnormal uterine bleeding as well as dysmenorrhea or leukorrhea, can also occur. Possible related findings include abdominal pain, a feeling of abdominal heaviness, backache, constipation, urinary urgency or frequency, and an enlarged uterus, which is usually nontender.
Other causes
Drugs
Use of a hormonal contraceptive may cause sudden onset of profuse, prolonged menorrhagia. Anticoagulants have also been associated with excessive menstrual flow. Injectable or implanted contraceptives may cause menorrhagia in some women.
Herb Alert
Herbal remedies, such as ginseng, can cause postmenopausal bleeding.
Intrauterine devices
Menorrhagia can result from the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Dysmenorrhea:
Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Adenomyosis.In adenomyosis, endometrial tissue invades the myometrium, resulting in severe dysmenorrhea with pain radiating to the back or rectum, menorrhagia, and a symmetrically enlarged, globular uterus that's usually softer on palpation than a uterine myoma.
Cervical stenosis.Cervical stenosis causes dysmenorrhea and scant or absent menstrual flow.
Endometriosis.Endometriosis typically produces steady, aching pain that begins before menses and peaks at the height of menstrual flow; however, the pain may also occur between menstrual periods. The pain may arise at the endometrial deposit site or may radiate to the perineum or rectum. Associated signs and symptoms include premenstrual spotting, dyspareunia, infertility, nausea and vomiting, painful defecation, and rectal bleeding and hematuria during menses. A tender, fixed adnexal mass is usually palpable on bimanual examination.
Pelvic inflammatory disease.Chronic uterine infection produces dysmenorrhea accompanied by a fever; malaise; foul-smelling, purulent vaginal discharge; menorrhagia; dyspareunia; severe abdominal pain; nausea and vomiting; and diarrhea. A pelvic examination may reveal cervical motion tenderness and bilateral adnexal tenderness.
PMS.The cramping pain of PMS usually begins with menstrual flow and persists for several hours or days, diminishing with decreasing flow. Common associated effects precede menses by several days to 2 weeks: abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, palpitations, diaphoresis, flushing, depression, and irritability. Other findings include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a headache. Because PMS usually follows an ovulatory cycle, it rarely occurs during the first 12 months of menses, which may be anovulatory.
Primary (idiopathic) dysmenorrhea.Increased prostaglandin secretion intensifies uterine contractions, apparently causing mild to severe spasmodic cramping pain in the lower abdomen, which radiates to the sacrum and inner thighs. The cramping abdominal pain peaks a few hours before menses. Patients may also experience nausea and vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, and a headache.
Uterine leiomyomas.If these tumors twist or degenerate after circulatory occlusion or infection or if the uterus contracts in an attempt to expel them, the tumors may cause constant or intermittent lower abdominal pain that worsens with menses. Associated signs and symptoms include backache, constipation, menorrhagia, and urinary frequency or retention. Palpation may reveal the tumor mass and an enlarged uterus. The tumors are almost always nontender.
Other causes
Intrauterine devices (IUDs).IUDs may cause severe cramping and heavy menstrual flow.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Metrorrhagia:
Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Cervicitis.Cervicitis may cause spontaneous bleeding, spotting, or posttraumatic bleeding. Assessment reveals red, granular, irregular lesions on the external cervix. Purulent vaginal discharge (with or without odor), lower abdominal pain, and fever may occur.
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Abnormal uterine bleeding not caused by pregnancy or major gynecologic disorders usually occurs as metrorrhagia, although menorrhagia is possible. Bleeding may be profuse or scant, intermittent or constant.
Endometrial polyps.In most patients, endometrial polyps cause abnormal bleeding, usually intermenstrual or postmenopausal; however, some patients do remain asymptomatic.
Endometriosis.Metrorrhagia (usually premenstrual) may be the only indication of endometriosis or it may accompany cyclical pelvic discomfort, infertility, and dyspareunia. A tender, fixed adnexal mass may be palpable on bimanual examination.
Endometritis.Endometritis causes metrorrhagia, purulent vaginal discharge, and enlargement of the uterus. It also produces fever, lower abdominal pain, and abdominal muscle spasm.
Gynecologic cancer.Metrorrhagia is commonly an early sign of cervical or uterine cancer. Later, the patient may experience weight loss, pelvic pain, fatigue and, possibly, an abdominal mass.
Uterine leiomyomas.Besides metrorrhagia, uterine leiomyomas may cause increasing abdominal girth and heaviness in the abdomen, constipation, and urinary frequency or urgency. The patient may report pain if the uterus attempts to expel the tumor through contractions and if the tumors twist or necrose after circulatory occlusion or infection, but the patient with leiomyomas is usually asymptomatic.
Vaginal adenosis.Vaginal adenosis commonly produces metrorrhagia. Palpation reveals roughening or nodules in affected vaginal areas.
Other causes
Drugs.Anticoagulants and oral, injectable, or implanted contraceptives may cause metrorrhagia.
Surgery and procedures.Cervical conization and cauterization may cause metrorrhagia.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Menorrhagia:
Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Blood dyscrasias.Menorrhagia is one of several possible signs of a bleeding disorder. Other possible associated findings include epistaxis, bleeding gums, purpura, hematemesis, hematuria, and melena.
Hypothyroidism.Menorrhagia is a common early sign of hypothyroidism and is accompanied by such nonspecific findings as fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, and weight gain despite anorexia. As hypothyroidism progresses, intellectual and motor activity decrease; the skin becomes dry, pale, cool, and doughy; the hair becomes dry and sparse; and the nails become thick and brittle. Myalgia, hoarseness, a decreased libido, and infertility commonly occur. Eventually, the patient develops a characteristic dull, expressionless face and edema of the face, hands, and feet.
Also, deep tendon reflexes are delayed, and bradycardia and abdominal distention may occur.
Uterine fibroids.Menorrhagia is the most common sign of uterine fibroids, but other forms of abnormal uterine bleeding as well as dysmenorrhea or leukorrhea can also occur. Possible related findings include abdominal pain, a feeling of abdominal heaviness, a backache, constipation, urinary urgency or frequency, and an enlarged uterus, which is usually nontender.
Other causes
Drugs.The use of a hormonal contraceptive may cause a sudden onset of profuse, prolonged menorrhagia. Anticoagulants have also been associated with excessive menstrual flow. Injectable or implanted contraceptives may cause menorrhagia in some women.
Intrauterine devices.Menorrhagia can result from the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
As many as 20 to 50 percent of all women develop fibroids. These benign muscle tumors usually grow in the uterus, and can cause pain, and in some...
As many as 20 to 50 percent of all women develop fibroids. These benign muscle tumors usually grow in the uterus, and can cause pain, and in some...
Every year, thousands of woman suffering from abnormal uterine bleeding are told that their only option is hysterectomy. Some choose to undergo this...
Every year, thousands of woman suffering from abnormal uterine bleeding are told that their only option is hysterectomy. Some choose to undergo this...
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