Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

When you’re familiar with your menstrual cycle, you know what patterns are normal for you. If you have any of the following, it may be considered abnormal:

• Bleeding and spotting after sexual intercourse
• Bleeding between periods
• Heavy bleeding during your cycle
• Cycles that occur farther than 38 days apart or closer together than 24 days
• Periods that last longer than eight days
• Bleeding after you’ve gone through menopause

When you first get your period, usually between the ages of 9 and 14, the cycles tend to be irregular and unpredictable. You may also experience extreme irregularities in the years leading up to menopause. Regardless of your stage of life, if you’re concerned about irregular bleeding, you should seek a consultation with Suburban Women’s Specialists.

Abnormal bleeding can have a number of causes. These include:

• Fibroids and polyps
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Miscarriage
• Certain birth control methods, such as IUDs and birth control pills
• Problems with ovulation
• Certain types of cancer

The doctors at Suburban Women’s Specialists consider your age, health history, and other factors when narrowing down the cause of your uterine bleeding.

Several tests can help inform Dr. Anthony and Dr. Chua as to the cause of your uterine bleeding. These include:

• Ultrasound to get a better picture of your reproductive organs
• Hysteroscopy to get a visual image of the inside of your uterus
• Sonohysterography in which fluid is placed in the uterus to improve ultrasound images
• Pelvic MRI
• Endometrial biopsy

Which tests the doctors will order depends on any other symptoms associated with the abnormal bleeding as well as your medical history and the results of a physical exam and bloodwork.

Dr. Anthony and Dr. Chua may prescribe medications, including hormonal birth control methods, gonadotropin-releasing hormones, and antibiotics to address abnormal uterine bleeding. In some cases, you may need surgery to address the cause of the bleeding. Endometrial ablation, for example, destroys the lining of your uterus to reduce or eliminate bleeding. This procedure, often done with NovaSure®, is typically only performed once you’re done having children.

If you have fibroids that are responsible for your abnormal uterine bleeding, you may have a myomectomy to remove the fibroids or a uterine artery embolization to block the blood vessels providing blood to fibroids. A hysterectomy, or complete removal of the uterus, is another option in some cases.

If you have abnormal uterine bleeding, call Suburban Women’s Specialists or book an appointment online.