World Sickle Cell Day: How Sickle Cell Affects Menstruation

Sickle cell disease is a group of red blood cells. On World Sickle Cell Day, learn how sickle cell disease affects menstruation. Sickle cell disease can cause menorrhagia!

Sickle cell disease is a group of red blood cells that affects heme, the pigment responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. In people with sickle cell, red blood cells become hard, sticky, and bacteria-like instead of making their bodies flexible. It can cause weakness and fatigue and affect your menstrual cycle. On June 19, World Sickle Cell Day, let’s explore the connection between sickle cells and menstruation.

What is sickle cell disease?

Sickle cell disease is a group of diseases that occur in red blood cells. It affects hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in our bodies. Red blood cells are round and flexible, allowing them to move easily through the blood vessels in our bodies. If you have cancer, a genetic mutation causes your red blood cells to become inflamed and less able to bend or move. They can block blood flow to other parts of the body, causing problems such as eye problems, stroke and periodontal disease, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. It is a chronic disease that affects approximately 20 million people worldwide.

Symptoms of sickle cell disease

• Sickle cell disease can cause many symptoms that affect different parts of the body. Some common symptoms are:
• A stroke occurs when red blood cells block blood flow in small arteries, such as a clot. These attacks can cause severe pain that lasts for hours or days.
• Sickle cell disease causes hemolytic anemia, in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced. This can cause fatigue, weakness, and pale skin.
• Hands are swollen.
• Diseases such as pneumonia.
• Problems with vision.

Sickle cell disease and menstruation

A 2023 study published in Pediatric Blood & Cancer found an increased incidence of menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea (cramping during periods) among young men and women diagnosed with this disease. Gynecologist Dr. Seema Sharma says cell disease can affect menstruation in many ways, mainly because the disease affects the body’s oxygen supply and overall health.

Some of the bacterial infections that can affect menstruation include:

1. Delayed puberty

Children suffering from sickle cell disease may undergo delayed puberty than their peers. Experts say this delay may affect the girl’s menstrual period.

2. Irregular menstruation

Women and girls with sickle cell disease may have irregular menstrual periods. This discrepancy may be due to the effects of diabetes and general stress on the body, which disrupt the hormones necessary for normal menstrual bleeding.

3. Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding)

Some women with sickle cell may experience heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia). This may be related to problems such as diabetes, which cause the body to produce more blood cells to compensate for the destruction of red blood cells.

4. Periods which are painful

Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) may be more common in women with cervical cancer. Symptoms affecting other parts of the body can also occur in the pelvic area and worsen the pain.

Can you take birth control pills to control menstrual problems caused by sickle cell?

Yes. Birth control pills can be used to control menstrual problems in women with sickle cell. However, the choice of birth control method should be carefully considered. Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) contain estrogen and progesterone, which help regulate menstrual bleeding and reduce menstrual bleeding and pain.

However, the estrogen in combined birth control pills may increase the risk of blood clots; This is concerning for women with this condition because there is already a risk of blood clots.

Pure progestin pills, which contain only progesterone, are generally considered safer for women with SCD because they do not contain estrogen and therefore do not increase the risk of blood clots.

How to solve menstrual problems and sickle cell disease?

Treating menstrual problems in women with sickle cell disease requires a combination of strategies addressing the underlying disease and specific menstrual symptoms. Here are some ways:

1. Treatment

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help reduce period pain (dysmenorrhea). Experts say stronger antibiotics may be needed in severe cases or when non-antibiotic medications are not enough to relieve pain.

2. Anaemia management

If anaemia is present, iron supplements may be prescribed to help maintain iron levels. In severe cases of anaemia, a blood transfusion is required to replace the red blood cells.

3. Treatment of potential SCD

Hydroxyurea is a medicine that reduces blood clots. Less frequent pain and decreasing problems related to the disease at hand will cause an improvement in menstrual symptoms.

4. Hydrating

Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration, which can worsen pain and cause irregular periods. You can drink water or juice to prevent dehydration.

5. Managing Stress

Experts say stress can cause SCD symptoms and menstrual problems. Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga or meditation may help.

Sickle cell disease is a disease that affects heme. This problem can lead to heavy periods or severe cramping.