Treatment of Bleeding Abnormalities

From the start of their period to the menopause, women experience a monthly menstrual flow about every 28 days. Normally, the flow is not excessive, and there is no bleeding in between periods.
Abnormal bleeding consists of:

• Bleeding, even spotting, between periods
• Excessive flow during periods
• Bleeding after the menopause
• Periods that do not come on time

To a certain extent, these criteria are subjective: What some women experience as "heavy flow," other women would consider normal.
Certain guidelines apply:

• Any repetitive bleeding or spotting between periods is not normal
• Any bleeding or spotting after the menopause is not normal
• Cycles that are longer than 35 days are not normal
• Bleeding is "heavy" with your period if:
• Your pads or tampons soak quickly
• You ever use two or more pads at a time
• You miss work or school as a result of your period
• You rearrange your activities because of heavy bleeding
• You often soil clothes, sheets, or furniture during your period

Many women simply accept heavy or persistent bleeding as normal, and unfortunately, many doctors promote this idea. Bleeding that restricts your activity, causes embarrassing accidents, or arrives unscheduled is not normal, and in most cases is easily and effectively treated.

Bleeding in women can be divided generally into two categories: Hormonally related bleeding and anatomically related bleeding. Hormonal bleeding occurs due to disruptions or imbalances in your normal menstrual cycle. These disruptions are quite common, especially as the menopause approaches. Your hormonal cycle is also quite susceptible to influence by diet, stress, weight, and other factors. Hormonal factors also play a role in women who experience "breakthrough bleeding" while on birth control pills.

Anatomic bleeding refers to bleeding as a result of abnormal structures in woman's reproductive organs. Fibroids are the most common anatomic causes of abnormal bleeding. These are solid tumors that grow in the womb, or uterus. They can grow to impressive size, and can cause pain, bleeding, and fertility problems.

Another common cause of bleeding is polyps in the womb, called endometrial polyps. These are fleshy overgrowths of the inner lining of the uterus. They can cause heavy periods, bleeding between periods, and persistent cramps.

Fibroids and polyps are usually benign-but not always. Certainly a woman who suspects she has fibroids or polyps needs to be closely followed by a physician.

In most cases, women with symptoms related to fibroids or polyps will elect to have them removed with their doctor's recommendation. In many cases, removal consists of minimally invasive procedures which do not require a hospital stay, and permit you to return to work with minimal interruption.

At The Woman's Health Pavilion, we provide solutions for women with abnormal bleeding. Whether you are bothered by your symptoms, or simply wish to know if your bleeding pattern is normal, we invite you to call for a consultation.