What Doctors Know About Abnormal Bleeding

 

Abnormal vaginal bleeding is a common and debilitating condition because of its chronic, prolonged bleeding. On average, women bleed about 40 ml of blood during her menstrual period, which will typically last around 5-7 days. Women who have more substantial, extended periods or heavy spotting between periods need to be evaluated by their doctor because it can indicate more serious underlying conditions. Most often, vaginal bleeding occurs when the uterus sheds its endometrium lining due to the absence of the implantation of the egg. Even different variations of the cycle can vary from month to month but still be considered regular. But the critical difference between a healthy and abnormal cycle is the consistency in length and frequency of bleeding.

 

 

The Causes of Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

 

Abnormal bleeding can have many causes, some of which not possible to determine the exact cause. However, gynecologists can evaluate some of the most common reasons for abnormal vaginal bleeding, including:

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• Hormonal changes

• Uterine fibroids

• Polyps

• Infections

• Endometrial Hyperplasia

• Endometrial Cancer

• Bleeding Disorders

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Heavy, excessive bleeding affects 1 out of every five women, often starting between the ages of 30-40. If you have been experiencing these symptoms above, then contact your physician.

 

 

Questions To Ask Our Practitioner About Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

 

Below are a list of questions commonly asked regarding Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding.

 

• How long does a normal period last? 

Typical menstruation only lasts 5-7 days

 

• How do I know if my period is unusually heavy?

If you soak through one or more pads per day

 

• Am I menstruating too often?

If you experience periods of bleeding more than once every three weeks.

 

• I’m often tired, is this a sign of AVB?

Extreme fatigue, weakness, and decreased energy are common symptoms of this condition.

 

• What other complications should I watch for?

Difficulties working, exercising, sexual relations, and other activities

 

These are common indicators of abnormal vaginal bleeding, but if you need to identify your symptoms better, then the abnormal bleeding checklist can help you identify your experiences. Print out this checklist to check for your signs and talk to your physician about your options.

 

 

Benefits Of Seeing Our Practitioners For Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

 

When you begin looking for the root cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding by seeing one of our team of experts, a number of tests will be done. These tests will also provide additional information about your overall health. The diagnostic process will include tests for:

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• Liver Function Tests

• Complete Blood Count

• Pregnancy Test

• Thyroid Function Tests

• Hormone Tests (To assure normal levels of progesterone, androgen, and prolactin)

 

In addition our practitioner will also look for signs of infection, cancerous or precancerous cells, and an ultrasound for pelvic or uterine problems. While you may not undergo all these tests, they can all be included in a screening for abnormal vaginal bleeding.

 

 

How Total Woman Healthcare Can Help With Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

 

Here at the Women’s Health Group we’re dedicated to providing you with a personal experience, treating every patient as an individual and not a condition. Our providers will meet with you and put together a complete history of your bleeding patterns, and identify the potential causes. We will perform a series of examinations to determine the causes, which include treatment options such as:

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• Pelvic Ultrasounds

• Hysteroscopy

• Lab tests

• Biopsy

 

Our physicians at Total Woman Healthcare will go over all of your treatment options and determine the best options for you. Depending on the cause of your abnormal bleeding, we may suggest medication therapy, or the use of an IUD, or intrauterine device, to help control the bleeding. We may also recommend in-office procedures, such as endometrial ablation, a dilation, and curettage, or a hysterectomy.