Up to 33% of women experience abnormal bleeding at some point. Here at Dr. Dee L. Hubbard, MD, the private gynecology practice of caring, board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Dee Hubbard (Dr. Dee to our patients), we understand abnormal bleeding and its frustrations.
One of our main goals is helping patients understand what’s normal, what’s not, and when they need treatment. Because abnormal bleeding is so common, we’re covering it here in our June blog. Keep reading to better understand when you should worry about abnormal bleeding.
Defining abnormal bleeding
To determine whether you need help with abnormal bleeding, you first need to know exactly what it is. The definition of abnormal bleeding includes:
Heavy bleeding
Heavy bleeding means that you need to change your tampon or pad at least once every hour.
Long periods
Bleeding lasting longer than seven days is abnormal. It may be light, heavy, or vary with the day.
Short or long menstrual cycles
Typical menstrual bleeding happens every 21-35 days. If your periods happen before 21 days or after 35 days, it’s considered abnormal bleeding.
Unpredictable menstrual cycles
While some variation isn’t unusual, significant cycle differences are abnormal bleeding. Generally, this means any cycle length that’s very different from month to month (a variance of 7-9 days or longer).
No bleeding
It surprises many women to find out that no bleeding is abnormal bleeding. If you have no bleeding for 3-6 months or longer, it’s abnormal. Of course, this can vary based on your contraception, as some methods may allow you to skip monthly bleeding completely.
Bleeding after menopause
After you finish menopause (12 consecutive months with no periods), you shouldn’t have anymore periods (or bleeding) again.
When to worry about abnormal bleeding
You shouldn’t worry — but we do recommend reaching out, so Dr. Dee and our team can help. Abnormal bleeding is sometimes a sign of a problem in your reproductive organs. Common causes include:
- Endometriosis: uterine lining (endometrium) growing outside the uterus
- Fibroids: noncancerous uterine growths
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): extra male hormones and many small ovarian cysts
- Adenomyosis: endometrium growing into the muscle wall of the uterus
- Pregnancy: miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
- Endometrial cancer
- Some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Hormonal birth control methods
- Nonhormonal birth control methods, like the copper intrauterine device (IUD)
It’s especially important to get help for your abnormal bleeding if your bleeding interferes with your life or causes discomfort.
Abnormal bleeding treatments
You’re in the best hands with Dr. Dee. She has extensive experience treating both common and complicated gynecologic conditions and has four decades of history of successfully treating abnormal bleeding.
Dr. Dee considers your medical history, symptoms, and test results from lab tests and Pap smear to find the cause of your bleeding. She may recommend an ultrasound or other tests to accurately diagnose your condition.
We always tell our patients that there are treatments available, no matter what caused your abnormal bleeding. Dr. Dee customizes a treatment plan just for you.
Your treatment may include hormone therapy, oral medication, or other approaches. If you need surgery, for instance, fibroid removal, Dr. Dee sends you to an OB/GYN surgeon she trusts with her patients. Dr. Dee does all the pre- and postoperative care.
You can always feel confident that you’ll get the best treatment approach thanks to this personalized method.
Along with treating your abnormal bleeding, Dr. Dee treats the related problems. For example, some women with abnormal bleeding (especially prolonged heavy bleeding) experience problems like iron deficiency anemia. So, Dr. Dee may prescribe iron supplements or other methods of boosting your iron level alongside your treatment.
The best thing you can do for abnormal bleeding is to stop worrying, and start finding the solution. We’re here to help, so call our office at 443-251-2996 or connect with us online today.