Life is supposed to be enjoyed, not endured. For some women menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) takes the joy out of life. It is very difficult to be spontaneous when you have to worry about embarrassing accidents, fatigue, and activities that may make bleeding heavier.

A recent survey by The National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) reported that excessive menstrual bleeding affects 10 million American women a year. The survey also reported that the majority of U.S. women with this condition do not seek treatment. The survey consisted of 653 women, ages 35 to 49, that experienced menorrhagia.The results found that 58 percent of the respondents had not discussed their condition with a health-care provider, even though menorrhagia greatly affected their lives and is easily treated.

Usually the normal period lasts 5 to 7 days and the blood loss is only one to two ounces per cycle. If you suffer from menorrhagia you can bleed 10 to 25 times that amount per month.

If you do bleed this heavy then you have experienced one or more of the following disruptive symptoms :

• Heavy bleeding that interferes with your daily activities or lifestyle and causes you anxiety, worrying about embarrassing accidents

• Heavy bleeding that includes large blood clots

• Periods that last longer than 7 days.

• Bleeding that soaks through one or more tampons or sanitary napkins every hour for several consecutive hours.

• Fatigue or shortness of breath. (Both are symptoms of anemia)

In addition to these symptoms :

• Do you have heavy periods even though you use birth control pills?

• Have you missed work because of your period?

• Do you tend to stay home when you have your period because it is too much trouble to go out?

• Do you carry a large amount of feminine products or even a change of clothes with you when you do go out?

If this is sounding a bit too familiar; your next step is to confer with your doctor.

There are several causes of heavy menstrual bleeding, and the correct diagnosis must be made in order to receive the appropriate treatment.

Your doctor should take a complete medical history and perform a thorough physical exam. Depending on the results of the history and physical exam your doctor may order additional testing such as blood work, pelvic ultrasound, sonohysterogram, hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy or dilatation and curettage (D&C).

The good news is that there are safe and effective treatments.

For many women endometrial ablation provides an effective alternative to hysterectomy or hormonal therapy.

• Endometrial Ablation is a surgical technique that uses a laser, heat, or freezing, to remove the lining of the uterus.

• Uterine balloon therapy involves the use of a balloon that is inserted into the vagina, through the cervix, and placed into the uterus. The balloon is inflated with a sterile fluid until it fits the size and shape of the uterus. Then the fluid in the balloon is heated and the temperature is maintained for eight minutes while the uterine lining is thereby removed.

• Any form of endometrial ablation is not the right treatment for you if you plan on having children. This treatment destroys the endometrium, which is necessary to carry a pregnancy to full term.

• Endometrial ablation is not a contraceptive. You will have to use contraception correctly and consistently until menopause to prevent pregnancy.

• Pregnancy after ablation will be risky for you and your baby.