What is abnormal uterine bleeding?
Abnormal uterine bleeding is bleeding that deviates from the regular cycle. A regular menstrual cycle is between 24 and 38 days, with about eight days of bleeding.
Abnormal uterine bleeding may include:
- Spotting or bleeding in between your period or after sex
- A cycle shorter than 24 days or longer than 38 days
- Very heavy bleeding during your period
- Bleeding after menopause
You can experience abnormal uterine bleeding at any time in your life, but it occurs more often during adolescence and perimenopause, which is the transitional period leading up to menopause.
What causes abnormal uterine bleeding?
In addition to hormonal changes, other causes of abnormal uterine bleeding include:
- Fibroids or polyps
- Endometriosis, when your endometrial tissue grows outside your uterus
- Problems with birth control
- Miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
- Issues with ovulation
- Certain types of cancer
Will I need individual tests?
If you’re experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding, the all-female team at MyDoc Women’s Health Specialists may recommend individual tests to help determine the cause, which may include:
- Pregnancy test or testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Endometrial biopsy
- Ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan
- Sonohysterography, a specialized ultrasound that uses fluid for better imaging
The team at MyDoc Women’s Health Specialists may also recommend a hysteroscopy, which is a particular procedure that uses a lighted telescope that your women’s health specialist inserts through your vagina to your uterus to view your uterine tissue more closely.
How is abnormal uterine bleeding treated?
Treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding may depend on the cause. The team may recommend medications, such as birth control or tranexamic acid, which is a medication that helps reduce menstrual blood flow.
If fibroids are causing your abnormal bleeding, the team may recommend gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, which helps shrink the fibroid to reduce bleeding and symptoms.
If medications can’t help improve your abnormal bleeding, the team at MyDoc Women’s Health Specialists may recommend surgery. However, an operation is usually a last resort after other more conservative treatments have failed to improve your symptoms. Types of services that help reduce menstrual bleeding include:
- Endometrial ablation
- Uterine embolization
- Hysterectomy
For treatment and management of your abnormal uterine bleeding, call the office, or schedule an appointment online.
