Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

You might go for a long time with abnormal bleeding without knowing that your bleeding isn’t normal. Abnormal bleeding could involve bleeding between periods or excessively during your period.

For high quality, individualized treatment for your abnormal bleeding, call our practice or book an appointment online today.

If you experience abnormal bleeding, you may experience uterine bleeding between your menstrual periods or excessively during your menstrual periods. A typical menstrual flow lasts for about five days. If you experience bleeding for longer than seven days per month, or if your periods are very irregular, you also have abnormal uterine bleeding. 

Abnormal bleeding may or may not come with other symptoms, including:

  • Dysmenorrhea (pelvic pain with menstruation)
  • Bloating
  • Breast tenderness

Please contact the practice for an appointment for any kind of abnormal uterine bleeding. It’s especially urgent if you soak through your pads every hour or if you feel dizzy or faint due to the loss of blood. 

There are many health conditions that can cause abnormal bleeding, so you should get a thorough evaluation that might include diagnostic testing at the practice. A few of the most common causes are:

  • Endometriosis
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Uterine polyps
  • Early pregnancy
  • Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
  • Hormonal birth control and other medications
  • Menopause complications

PCOS, one of the most common causes, is a condition that occurs when you have excess androgen levels, or male hormones. Many women with PCOS develop cysts in their ovaries because of the hormonal imbalance. It can cause you to grow extra hair on your face or body, and you may struggle to get pregnant. 

 

To diagnose your abnormal uterine bleeding, we will investigate the characteristics of your abnormal uterine bleeding. We will also ask questions about the possibility of a pregnancy and whether or not you have any other symptoms outside of the bleeding. 

Next, we will provide a comprehensive pelvic examination. They might also perform a Pap smear to test the cells of your cervix for abnormal characteristics. You may also need:

  • A pregnancy test
  • A thyroid test
  • Blood tests
  • A pelvic ultrasound

If you’re over 35, have a family history of certain complications, or are at risk for cancer, your provider might recommend an endometrial biopsy. During this test, they take a cell sample from the lining of your uterus and send it for examination under a microscope. They can test the endometrium for hormone imbalance, endometrial cancer, and other complications leading to abnormal bleeding.

After Dr Hall diagnoses you, he will create a treatment plan, according to the cause of your bleeding.

Treating abnormal bleeding often involves hormonal treatments like hormonal birth control or progestin shots.

For structural abnormalities like polyps and fibroids, you might need minimally invasive surgery to remove them. Your provider may recommend procedures like dilatation and curettage or endometrial ablation to remove the uterine lining and treat your abnormal bleeding. More extreme options, like hysterectomy, are often a last-resort treatment for abnormal bleeding.

If you bleed between periods or excessively during your periods, book your evaluation for abnormal bleeding by phone or online at our practice today.

× How can we help you?