Once you start your menstrual cycle, you can become desensitized to uterine bleeding. And this is not surprising when you consider that the average menses will recur monthly. But not paying attention to your cycle can make it easy for you to miss the signs of abnormalities, as abnormal bleeding tends to be gauged against what would you would consider normal for your average cycle. Any changes, however subtle you may think they are, could be indicative of an underlying medical problem that would mandate seeing an obstetrician as soon as possible. To make sure that you are not missing anything, this article outlines a few things that every menstruating woman should know about abnormal bleeding and its treatment.
What is considered abnormal uterine bleeding?
Some women assume that the only abnormal bleeding that they should watch out for is getting their period when outside of their usual cycle, for example, during ovulation, when pregnant, and so on. Certainly, bleeding during these instances should have you see an OBGYN considering that bleeding while pregnant can signal a miscarriage. But this should not be your only cause for concern. As a rule of thumb, menstrual cycles that last longer than they normally do or are much heavier than usual should be considered abnormal uterine bleeding. Take note, not getting your menses for more than one cycle without being pregnant should also be treated as abnormal bleeding.
What are the causes of abnormal uterine bleeding?
Women can develop abnormal uterine bleeding due to a variety of causes so the treatments will vary. To begin with, if your uterine bleeding is caused by your choice of birth control, whether you take hormonal pills or utilize an intrauterine device, the OBGYN will get you off these methods and you may not require any additional treatment. Alternatively, if the abnormal uterine bleeding is caused due to a hormonal imbalance, you would need treatment to regulate your hormones. The OBYN may also carry out further tests to determine if the hormonal imbalance is a symptom, for example, if you have undiagnosed hyperthyroidism or cervical infection. Another reason why you may develop abnormal bleeding is due to atypical growths in the uterus, for instance, fibroids.
What does the treatment of abnormal bleeding entail?
Depending on the severity and causes of the abnormal uterine bleeding, the treatment could either restore your menses or put an end to current and future bleeding. For instance, a myomectomy is a surgical procedure that will excise the fibroids, which should not only restore your period but it should be lighter too. Conversely, a hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove your uterus if the abnormal bleeding stems from endometriosis, and this puts an end to your menstrual cycle.
Share7 January 2022
Menopause took me by surprise. I thought only women in their 50s and 60s went through it, but I was in my late 30s when I entered this stage in my life. After talking to my OB/GYN, I discovered that my mother's early menopause played a major role in why I started so early. It was challenging to unexpectedly find myself dealing with the emotional and physical aspects of menopause. I soon discovered that I was not alone. There are many other women who started menopause at an early age and they were just as nervous as I was. I started this blog to give voice to those women and to provide emotional support.
