Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Specialists

When is menstrual bleeding considered abnormal?

Menstrual bleeding that lasts beyond the average 3-7 days of a normal menstrual cycle or bleeding between periods is considered abnormal bleeding. Additionally, you may experience abnormal bleeding as any of the following conditions:

• Very heavy bleeding during your period
• Spotting between periods
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Bleeding after menopause
• Long menstrual cycles, or a long time between periods
• irregular pattern of bleeding

While abnormal bleeding can occur at any age, it’s often more of a common when hormones fluctuate the most during the teenage years and during perimenopause – the time leading up to menopause. 

Abnormalities of the uterus are another commoon cause of abnormal bleeding, such as fibroids, adenomyosis and polyps. These problems are more likely to develop as women pprogress through their reproductive years. For some patients, there is a concern about cancer in the uterus and testing of the uterine lining or endometrium is advised.

If bleeding is very heavy, a condition known as menorrhagia, it may prevent you from participating in daily activities and lead to fatigue or anemia.

What causes abnormal bleeding?

In some cases, it’s hard to determine the cause of abnormal bleeding. Your provider at Swor Women’s Care conducts a complete exam and discusses your medical history with you to understand the underlying factors of your abnormal bleeding. 

Some of the most common causes of abnormal menstrual bleeding include:

• Hormone imbalances
• Uterine fibroids
• Endometrial polyps
• Adenomyosis (a form of endometriosis)
• A side effect of brith control or hormone treatment or an intrauterine device (IUD)
• Ovary dysfunction
• Inherited bleeding disorders
• Certain medications
• Certain medical conditions

Fortunately, there are a variety of effective treatments for abnormal bleeding and the expert gynecologists and staff at Swor Women's Care can advise and help.

What treatments are effective for abnormal bleeding?

Your treatment for abnormal bleeding depends on the underlying causes. The team at Swor Women’s Care takes a personalized approach to your specific condition so they can recommend the most effective ways to manage it and help you in the long term. 

In some cases, hormonal medications, such as birth control pills or other contraceptives, can lighten your menstrual flow if heavy bleeding is a problem or regulate bleeding if the pattern is abnormal. There are other medical treatments, like progestins and tranexamic acid, that can be prescribed for certain issues. 

Some women are best treated with surgical options, like D&C hysteroscopy, polypectomy, myomectomy, or endometrial ablation. Fibroids can be treated by Sonata or Acessa and some women choose hysterectomy as the solution.

Swor Women’s Care can help you take an active role in resolving your abnormal bleeding so you can get back to living your life instead of worrying about your period. Contact the office for an appointment today.