Menstrual blood

Thus, our attention should shift from the concern of potential adverse effects to the health benefits imparted by hormonal contraceptives. The use of oral contraceptives for at least 12 months reduces the risk of developing endometrial cancer by 50%. Furthermore, the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in users of oral contraceptives is reduced by 40% compared with that on nonusers. This kind of protection is already seen after as little as 3-6 months of use. Oral contraceptives also decrease the incidence of ovarian cysts and fibrocystic breast disease. They reduce menstrual blood loss and thus the incidence of iron-deficiency anemia. A decreased incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancies has been reported as well as an ameliorating effect on the clinical course of endometriosis. 

Taking the contraceptive hormones provides health benefits not related to contraception, such as regulating the menstrual cycle and decreased blood loss, and incidence of iron deficiency anemia, and dysmenorrhea Health benefits related to the inhibition of ovulation include a decrease in ovarian cysts and ectopic pregnancies. hi addition, there is a decrease in fibrocyctic breast disease, acute pelvic inflammatory disease endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, maintenance of bone density, and symptoms related to endometriosis in women taking contraceptive hormones. Newer combination contraceptives such as norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol... 

Women who take oral contraceptives typically experience more regular menstrual cycles. In general, oral contraceptive use is associated with less cramping and dysmenorrhea.1,8 Also, women who take oral contraceptives experience fewer days of menstruation each month and as a result experience less blood loss with each menstrual period.1,13 Some studies suggest that oral contraceptive use decreases overall monthly menstrual flow by 60% or more, which may be particularly beneficial in women who are anemic.1... 

Side effects of contraceptives tend to occur in the first few months of therapy. Thus, schedule a follow-up visit 3 to 6 months after initiating a new contraceptive. Yearly checkups usually are sufficient for patients who are doing well on a particular product.1 At each follow-up visit, assess blood pressure, headache frequency, and menstrual bleeding patterns, as well as compliance with the prescribed regimen. 

The traditional definition of menorrhagia is a menstrual blood loss of greater than 80 mL per cycle. This definition has been questioned for several reasons, including difficulty with quantifying menstrual blood loss in clinical practice. Many women with heavy menses but blood loss of less than 80 mL will merit consideration for treatment because of problems with containment of flow, unpredictable heavy flow days, and other associated symptoms.8,9... 

Complaints of heavy/prolonged menstrual flow and fatigue and light-headedness in the case of severe blood loss. These symptoms may or may not occur with dysmenorrhea. 

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are first-line treatments for menorrhagia associated with ovulatory cycles.33 They have the advantage of being taken only during menses, and their use is associated with a significant reduction in menstrual blood loss. A 20% to 50% reduction in blood loss has been observed in 75% of treated women.29 In some patients, as much as an 80% reduction has been observed. This reduction is directly proportional to the amount of pretreatment blood loss.29... 

The use of OCs is beneficial in women with menorrhagia who do not desire pregnancy. A 43% to 53% reduction in menstrual blood loss has been observed in 68% of patients treated with OCs containing greater than or equal to 35 meg estradiol for the treatment of menorrhagia.29 As with the use of NSAIDs, the reduction in blood loss is proportional to pretreatment blood loss. 

Progesterone therapy either during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle or for 21 days starting on day 5 after the onset of menses results in a 32% to 50% reduction in menstrual blood loss.29 Its use has not been shown to be superior to other medical treatments, including NSAIDs.29 In addition, it is not associated with any contraceptive benefit.33... 

Time to relief/effect A decline in menstrual blood loss should be realized within 1-2 cycles of therapy being initiated. 

Menorrhagia Menstrual blood loss of greater than 80 mL per cycle a more practical definition is heavy menstrual flow associated with problems of containment of flow, unpredictably heavy flow days, or other associated symptoms. 

In China and Tibet, the plant is held in great esteem. It was believed that the color of the plant was caused by transformed human blood. The root is used to treat rheumatism, jaundice, hemorrhages, and all sorts of exhausting discharges. In Korea, the root is used to treat rheumatism, jaundice and menstrual disorders. In the Philippines, a decoction of roots is drunk as a remedy for urinary disorders. One might have observed the obvious relationship between the red color of the sap and the blood-related medicinal uses of the plant it illustrates the doctrine of signatures of Paracelsus. 

Noncontraceptive benefits of OCs include decreased menstrual cramps and ovulatory pain decreased menstrual blood loss improved menstrual regularity increased hemoglobin concentration improvement in acne reduced risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer and reduced risk of ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, and benign breast disease. 

ParaGard (copper) can be left in place for 10 years. A disadvantage of ParaGard is increased menstrual blood flow and dysmenorrhea. The average monthly blood loss increased by 35% in clinical trials. 

Mirena releases levonorgestrel over 5 years. It causes a reduction in menstrual blood loss. 

Researches have developed methods to test for HIV and estimate the amounts of infectious virus present in various body fluids and secretions. HIV can be isolated relatively easily from blood, semen, and vaginal/cervical secretions (including menstrual fluid). When blood and semen are examined closely, the great majority of HIV is associated with infected cells (mostly macrophages) present in these fluids. In blood, if the cells are removed, low levels of HIV are present in the cell-free serum. It has also been isolated from breast milk. With much greater difficulty, the virus has on occasion been isolated from saliva, tears, urine, perspiration, and feces. 

Indications Various kinds of bleeding, including hemoptysis, spontaneous external bleeding, blood ejection, bloody stool, bloody urine, flooding and spotting, and traumatic bleeding cardiac or abdominal pains, menstrual... 

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