Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Symptoms and Treatment
Excessive menstrual bleeding is known as abnormal uterine bleeding. It can be a distressing problem and is one of the most common reasons women visit their gynecologist. While most females will experience a heavy period at one time or another, only a small number of women experience bleeding that is heavy enough to be diagnosed with abnormal uterine bleeding.
Symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding include:
- Regular cycles but with bleeding that is heavy enough to soak through one or more sanitary pad or tampon every half-hour for several hours
- The need to change your pad during the night
- Menstrual flow that contains large blood clots
- Periods that last longer than seven days or irregular periods
- Constant pain in your lower abdomen during your periods
- Anemia, which is due to substantial blood loss
Possible causes of abnormal or heavy menstrual bleeding include:
- Hormone imbalance
- Uterine fibroids
- Uterine polyps
- Ovulatory dysfunction
- IUD use
- Adenomyosis
- Bleeding disorders (such as von Willebrand disease)
- Conditions related to pregnancy
- Certain medications
- Other medical conditions
Your doctor can usually determine the cause of heavy menstrual bleeding or excessive blood clotting by running a few tests. She may draw blood to look for any blood or clotting disorders. She may also take a sample of tissue from the uterine lining, known as an endometrial biopsy, to check for abnormal cells, a potential indicator of cancer.
Treatment for heavy periods may include medication or surgery. Common surgical procedures for abnormal uterine bleeding include:
- Dilation and curettage (D&C)
- Operative hysteroscopy
- Endometrial ablation
- Hysterectomy
If you experience heavy menstrual bleeding and are looking for a solution, visit the gynecologists at Green OB/GYN Associates in Coral Springs, Florida. Call us today at (954) 341-2916.
Green OB/GYN Associates – Heavy Menstrual Cycle – Menorrhagia
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MonaLisa Touch
Green OB/GYN Associates is proud to offer the MonaLisa Touch® procedure in Coral Springs, Florida. This innovative treatment is an FDA-approved laser therapy used to treat changes in vaginal health often caused by hormonal fluctuations brought on by menopause and certain health conditions.
