Abnormal Period Bleeding
A woman’s monthly menstrual cycle becomes a pattern through which her body leads her every 28 to 31 days. There may be times however when a part of the routine randomly changes and may seem somehow different. This is a time to listen to the body and wait to see whether it returns to normal or happens again. Some variations are natural developments as the cycle does alter with age, others though may be something that needs to be addressed with a health care provider.
Abnormal bleeding or menorrhagia as it is widely known, is not exclusive to excessive bleeding. Skipping periods or missing them altogether also fall into this category. Stress, rapid weight loss, eating disorders and excessive exercise can cause menses to stop. If you think that something is abnormal due to bleeding or the lack of it, keep track of your cycle on a regular monthly basis. Here is a list of common questions you should ask yourself:
- Are you changing your tampon or pads every one to two hours for several days?
- Are you flowing for more than seven days?
- Has it been longer than 40 days since your last period started?
- Has it only been seven days since your last period ended?
Keeping a record of these basic facts can assist your health care provider in helping you.
The probable causes for abnormal bleeding are numerous and one should never assume anything before seeking medical attention. Here are just a few causes of menorrhagia.
- A hormone imbalance.
- Bleeding disorders.
- Cervical polyps.
- Endometrial polyps.
- Fibroid tumors.
- Pelvic Inflammatory disease.
- Inter uterine contraceptive.
- Endometrial cancer.
- Cervical cancer.
A complete blood panel work up will prompt your doctor to the next step. If it is hormonal then birth control or hormones should straighten things out. If it a bleeding disorder then prescribed medications should help.
A pelvic ultrasound can let your doctor get a better inside view. Cervical polyps can be treated on an outpatient basis with removal and antibiotics. Endometrial polyps (which is the uterine lining) are usually treated with a D&C and followed up with a biopsy of the removed tissue. Fibroid tumors are quite common and usually respond well to hormones.
Unless symptoms are severe your doctor will probably want to wait and monitor. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) can be sexually transmitted but can also occur following a gynecological procedure. Antibiotics will help. An Intrauterine device (IUD) is a birth control method. It should be removed and replaced with alternate form of protection.
No one ever likes the probability of cancer. It is scary, but by recognizing the symptoms of abnormal bleeding and sometimes debilitating periods your doctor can either rule it out or catch it early. A modern technology blessing for many survivors. As with most cancers there is usually surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation.
Much has now been researched in regards to women’s health. Hormone replacement does not work for everyone, nor is it always the safest route. With each new medical discovery, gone are the days of the “take everything out” attitude. Unless its cancerous and/or harmful, today’s doctors much prefer to try other more modern approaches.
So there are just a few of the reasons that abnormal bleeding can occur and the normal medical solutions. By keeping track of the length of periods, the time between them, the variation of flow and all other symptoms involved, a woman has a responsible hand in the well being of her own body. Being able to explain clearly to a health care professional all symptoms experienced, she can help make smart choices that make sense for her as an individual.
