Can You Have PCOS Without Knowing It?
PCOS can quietly disrupt your health without obvious warning signs. It’s wise to partner with a women’s health specialist to take a closer look at what your body may be telling you.
When Should You Worry About Abnormal Bleeding?
Occasional spotting between periods or experiencing a lighter or heavier flow once in a while usually isn’t anything to worry about. If you’re accustomed to having very predictable periods, it’s understandable to feel concerned when there’s a change to what you’re used to.
The experienced team of board-certified OB/GYNs at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology provide patient-centered, personalized care to women throughout all phases of life. Abnormal uterine bleeding is one of the most common reasons women visit their gynecologist, and we can help.
Up to 30% of women experience some form of abnormal uterine bleeding during their reproductive years, and it’s important to know when to schedule a visit with a gynecologist to look into it. Here, we’ve put together some helpful information to help you decide if you should take action.
What’s considered abnormal bleeding?
Every woman’s period is different, so it’s important to consider what’s normal for you. When your period deviates significantly from what you’re used to, it’s worth taking notice. Be aware of these signs of abnormal uterine bleeding:
- Bleeding between periods (more than light spotting)
- Longer period than is typical for you
- Significantly heavier than usual flow
- Bleeding after menopause
If you experience abnormal bleeding for three or more consecutive cycles, it’s a good idea to consult with a health care provider.
Excessively heavy bleeding isn’t normal
When it comes to heavy periods, even if they’re typical for you, that doesn’t mean it’s normal or that you should just tough it out. Consult with our team if you experience periods that are excessively heavy. We can evaluate you for potential problems, such as polyps and fibroids.
Consider consulting our team if your flow is so heavy that you:
- Soak through sanitary products every one to two hours for several hours
- Wake up during the night to change sanitary products
- Can’t engage in your normal activities
- Need to wear multiple sanitary products at a time
- Pass multiple large clots (quarter-size or larger)
Periods that last more than seven days also require a thorough evaluation.
What causes abnormal bleeding?
There’s a wide range of possible causes of abnormal bleeding. We perform a comprehensive evaluation, including a thorough medical and menstrual history and a physical examination to determine the issue. Our team may also order imaging and laboratory tests to assess your hormones.
The most common causes of abnormal bleeding are:
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometrial polyps
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Thyroid disorders
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Certain contraceptives
It’s worth noting that heavy periods can cause iron deficiency, and iron deficiency can cause heavy periods, creating a vicious cycle. We work to determine the underlying cause of your abnormal bleeding, but in some cases, no apparent cause is found.
Treatment for abnormal bleeding
The treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding depends on the underlying cause, the severity of the bleeding, and other factors. If your abnormal bleeding is related to hormonal imbalance, our team may recommend hormonal IUD or hormone therapy to regulate your hormones.
For structural causes of abnormal bleeding, such as fibroids or polyps, treatment may involve surgical intervention. Procedures like hysteroscopy or dilation and curettage can remove polyps or fibroids. In more severe cases, particularly when other treatments haven’t been effective, we may recommend endometrial ablation.
Additionally, if an underlying condition like a bleeding disorder or thyroid disease is contributing to the abnormal bleeding, treating that condition directly is crucial. Our team works with you to create a personalized treatment plan.
Take charge of your health
Abnormal bleeding is your body’s way of signaling that something might be wrong. Don’t ignore these signs. If you’re experiencing any unusual bleeding, take charge of your health.
Contact us to set up an appointment today. Our experienced Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology team is dedicated to eliminating the worry about your health and providing the compassionate, expert care you need to get back to feeling your best.
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