Causes of Menorrhagia

A change in hormone levels is a common cause of abnormal menstrual bleeding.

Other causes of heavy, prolonged, or irregular menstrual bleeding include:

• Bleeding disorders such as Von Willebrand disease
• Cancer of the lining of the uterus
• Changes in birth control pills or hormone medications
• Changes in exercise routine
• Diet changes
• Endometrial hyperplasia (thickening/build-up of the lining of the uterus)
• Infection in the uterus (pelvic inflammatory disease)
• Medical conditions such as thyroid and pituitary disorders, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, and systemic lupus erythematosus
• Noncancerous growths in the womb, including uterine fibroids, uterine polyps, and adenomyosis
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Pregnancy complicationss such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
• Recent injury or surgery to the uterus
• Recent weight loss or gain
• Stress
• Use of an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control
• Use of certain drugs such as steroids or blood thinners (for example, warfarin or Coumadin)