Understanding OBGYN Healthcare

Posted on: 14 July 2021

Many women suffer from abnormal uterine bleeding. However, they may know little about available treatments for the bleeding or even how to determine whether the bleeding they are experiencing is considered normal.

Here is a bit of information about uterine bleeding that is not considered normal.

When Is Heavy Bleeding Considered Abnormal?

During menstruation, some women do experience heavy bleeding that a gynecologist would consider normal. However, there are signs that may present to indicate a bleeding abnormality. Here are a few of them:

Long-lasting bleeding

If the bleeding continues for more than a week, then it may be considered abnormal. If bleeding is occurring outside of your normal menstrual cycle or after menopause, it should also be evaluated.

Unusually heavy flow

If you need to use multiple pads or tampons each hour during menstruation, the flow is excessively heavy. If your flow is so great that blood stains are appearing on your clothing with your usual protection in place, the bleeding is excessive. If the clots that are passed exceed the size of a quarter while menstruating, there may be a bleeding problem. If your bleeding requires you to get up to change your tampon or pad repeatedly throughout the night, the flow is unusually heavy.

What Conditions Cause Abnormal Bleeding?

Here are a few conditions that are associated with heavy uterine bleeding:

• Polyps
• Fibroids
• Uterine cancer
• Uterine infections
• Material left in the uterus after a miscarriage

What Are Some of the Treatments That Are Used to Control Heavy Bleeding?

After physicians assess a patient's condition, they can provide a viable treatment option. Here are some of the treatments that are commonly used to control abnormally heavy bleeding.

Hormone therapy is one treatment often used in the form of oral birth control pills or applied through an IUD to help manage the bleeding. If the bleeding is caused by an infection, your physician may prescribe antibiotics. In some instances, surgeries, such as myomectomies or hysterectomies may be necessary. A myomectomy is used to remove fibroid tissue while leaving the uterus intact. A hysterectomy, however, is the removal of the uterus. Additional procedures may include a D & C after a failed pregnancy or an endometrial ablation, which is the destruction of the uterine lining.

If you believe that you have been experiencing abnormal bleeding, then schedule a consultation with a physician in your area for treatment of abnormal bleeding.