Prevention of Menses During Thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia is a blood disorder that is characterized by a low blood platelet count. Platelets are blood cells that are essential for clot formation. They stop blood loss by forming clumps and creating plugs in any holes that have formed in blood vessels. Menstruation can worsen thrombocytopenia, which is why your physician may recommend that you reduce or even completely stop your menstrual periods.

Preventing Menses During Thrombocytopenia

• If you have thromboctopenia, your physician may recommend halting your periods with the extended use of oral contraceptives. Watch for symptoms of thromboctopenia, which include excessive bleeding, petechiae (pinpoint-sized red dots of blood that appear beneath the surface of the skin) and bleeding gums and nosebleeds, as these can worsen during menstruation. Eliminate menses to lessen these symptoms.

  You can use oral contraceptives to decrease bleeding during menstruation, reduce the number of periods you have or stop them altogether. Menstrual manipulation is the term used to describe the altering of how oral contraceptives are taken in order to reduce, delay or stop periods, and many physicians recommend doing so for medical reasons. According to Mayo Clinic, a standard pack of oral contraceptives contains 28 pills. Twenty-one of those pills are active, while the other seven are placebo pills. It is during the week when the placebo pills are taken that you can expect to have your period, since the supply of hormones that suppresses infertility is halted. Skip the placebo pills and take the active pills only to eliminate menstruation.

  Menstrual manipulation doesn't come without side effects and risks. Common side effects of oral contraceptives, whether they are taken traditionally or for the prevention of menses, include spotting or breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, nausea, bloating, cramps, headaches and mood changes. Also, taking any type of oral contraceptive puts you at an increased risk of blood clots. The warning signs of blood clots include shortness of breath; coughing up blood; sudden and severe headaches; vision blurring and loss; chest pain; and severe abdominal and leg pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your physician immediately.