What is considered a normal duration for a menstrual period. How long should menstruation last before it becomes a concern. What are the potential causes of prolonged menstrual bleeding. When should you consult a healthcare professional about extended periods.

Understanding Menorrhagia: When Periods Become Problematic

Menorrhagia is a medical term used to describe menstrual periods that are unusually heavy or prolonged. This condition goes beyond the typical inconvenience of a long period and can significantly impact a woman’s daily life. According to the Mayo Clinic, menorrhagia is characterized by blood loss so severe that it interferes with normal activities.

How can you tell if your period qualifies as menorrhagia? Some key indicators include:

• Needing to change sanitary products every hour or more frequently
• Passing large blood clots (larger than a quarter)
• Bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days
• Feeling fatigued or short of breath due to anemia

If you experience these symptoms, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment.

Defining Normal: The Typical Duration of Menstrual Periods

Menstrual cycles can vary greatly from woman to woman, making it challenging to define a universal “normal.” However, there are some general guidelines to consider:

• Cycle length: Typically 21 to 35 days from the start of one period to the start of the next
• Period duration: Usually 2 to 7 days, with the average being about 5 days
• Flow pattern: Often heavier at the beginning and tapering off towards the end

Dr. Thielen, a medical expert in the field, emphasizes that consistency is key. If your periods have always lasted 8 or 9 days, that may be normal for you. However, if your flow suddenly extends from 5 days to 8 or 9, it warrants investigation.

Is it possible for a period to never stop?

While it may seem like some women experience non-stop bleeding, this is rarely the case. The perception of constant menstruation often occurs when there’s a short cycle combined with a longer period. For example, a woman with a 24-day cycle who bleeds for 8 days will only have 16 days without bleeding, creating the illusion of perpetual menstruation.

Hormonal Imbalances: A Common Culprit in Prolonged Bleeding

Irregular and prolonged periods are often attributed to hormonal fluctuations. These changes are particularly common during two key life stages:

1. Puberty: Young girls entering their reproductive years may experience erratic periods as their bodies adjust to new hormone levels.
2. Perimenopause: Women approaching menopause often encounter irregular bleeding patterns as their estrogen levels begin to decline.

Estrogen plays a crucial role in building up the uterine lining (endometrium). When estrogen levels are imbalanced, it can lead to dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), resulting in prolonged or heavy periods.

Can birth control affect menstrual bleeding?

Yes, various forms of birth control can influence the frequency, duration, and intensity of menstrual periods. For instance:

• Copper IUDs may increase bleeding
• Birth control pills typically shorten periods, but in some cases, they may have the opposite effect

It’s important to note that any changes to your birth control regimen should be discussed with a healthcare provider to ensure safety and efficacy.

Medical Conditions Associated with Extended Menstrual Bleeding

While hormonal imbalances are a common cause of prolonged bleeding, several underlying medical conditions can also contribute to this issue. Some of these include:

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop within the uterine walls. They can vary in size from tiny specks to large masses and may cause heavy bleeding and periods lasting longer than a week. Fibroids are also known as leiomyomas and are relatively common, especially among women in their 30s and 40s.

Uterine Polyps

Unlike fibroids, uterine polyps are small, non-cancerous growths that form on the inner lining of the uterus. They are typically round or oval in shape and can contribute to irregular or prolonged bleeding. Polyps are more common in women who are approaching menopause or postmenopausal, but they can occur at any age.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. This can lead to excessive bleeding during periods and often causes significant pain. Endometriosis can affect various organs in the pelvic area and may lead to fertility issues if left untreated.

Endometrial Hyperplasia

This condition occurs when the lining of the uterus becomes abnormally thick. Endometrial hyperplasia is often caused by an excess of estrogen without adequate progesterone to balance it out. In some cases, this condition can lead to endometrial cancer if not properly managed.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal disorder characterized by irregular periods, excess androgen (male hormone) production, and the development of small cysts on the ovaries. Women with PCOS may experience infrequent, prolonged, or heavy periods due to hormonal imbalances.

Thyroid Disorders

Both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can affect menstrual patterns. An imbalance in thyroid hormones can lead to periods that are longer, heavier, lighter, or more irregular than usual.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs, typically caused by sexually transmitted bacteria. In addition to prolonged bleeding, PID can cause pelvic pain, fever, and unusual vaginal discharge.

Diagnostic Approaches for Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding

If you’re experiencing unusually long or heavy periods, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation. The diagnostic process may include:

• Detailed medical history and symptom review
• Physical examination
• Blood tests to check for pregnancy, hormone levels, and thyroid function
• Pap smear to screen for cervical abnormalities
• Endometrial biopsy to examine the uterine lining
• Ultrasound to visualize the uterus and ovaries
• Hysteroscopy for a direct view of the uterine cavity

These tests help healthcare providers determine the underlying cause of prolonged bleeding and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Treatment Options for Extended Menstrual Periods

The treatment for prolonged menstrual bleeding depends on the underlying cause and the severity of symptoms. Some common approaches include:

Hormonal Treatments

For cases related to hormonal imbalances, options may include:

• Birth control pills to regulate menstrual cycles
• Progesterone therapy to balance estrogen levels
• Hormonal IUDs to reduce bleeding and provide contraception

Non-Hormonal Medications

Some medications can help manage heavy bleeding without affecting hormone levels:

• Tranexamic acid to promote blood clotting
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce blood flow and alleviate pain

Surgical Interventions

In cases where medical treatments are ineffective or inappropriate, surgical options may be considered:

• Endometrial ablation to remove the uterine lining
• Myomectomy to remove uterine fibroids
• Hysterectomy as a last resort for severe cases

Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies

While medical treatments are often necessary for managing prolonged menstrual bleeding, certain lifestyle modifications can also help:

• Maintaining a healthy weight to balance hormone levels
• Regular exercise to improve overall health and reduce stress
• Eating a balanced diet rich in iron to prevent anemia
• Practicing stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga

It’s important to note that these lifestyle changes should complement, not replace, professional medical advice and treatment.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

While prolonged menstrual bleeding often isn’t immediately life-threatening, there are situations that require urgent medical care. Seek emergency help if you experience:

• Severe, acute abdominal pain
• Dizziness or fainting
• Soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for several consecutive hours
• Passing very large clots (larger than a golf ball)
• Signs of shock, such as cold, clammy skin or rapid breathing

These symptoms could indicate a more serious condition, such as a ruptured ovarian cyst or an ectopic pregnancy, which require immediate medical intervention.

How can you track your menstrual cycle effectively?

Keeping a detailed record of your menstrual cycles can be invaluable in identifying patterns and potential problems. Consider using a period tracking app or a physical calendar to note:

• The start and end dates of each period
• The heaviness of flow on each day
• Any unusual symptoms or pain
• Dates of ovulation (if known)

This information can help you and your healthcare provider make informed decisions about your reproductive health.

The Impact of Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding on Quality of Life

Extended periods can have a significant impact on a woman’s daily life, affecting various aspects such as:

• Physical comfort and hygiene
• Emotional well-being and mood
• Social activities and relationships
• Work or school performance
• Sexual health and intimacy

It’s crucial to address these issues with your healthcare provider to find solutions that improve your overall quality of life.

Can prolonged menstrual bleeding lead to complications?

Yes, if left untreated, extended periods can potentially cause:

• Iron-deficiency anemia due to excessive blood loss
• Fertility issues in some cases
• Increased risk of endometrial cancer (in cases of long-term estrogen excess)
• Chronic fatigue and decreased productivity

These potential complications underscore the importance of seeking medical attention for persistent menstrual irregularities.

Empowering Women Through Education and Awareness

Understanding what’s normal for your body and being aware of potential red flags is crucial for maintaining reproductive health. Here are some key takeaways:

• Every woman’s menstrual cycle is unique, but significant changes should be evaluated
• Prolonged bleeding can have various causes, from hormonal imbalances to underlying medical conditions
• Regular check-ups with a gynecologist or healthcare provider are essential for early detection and treatment of issues
• Don’t hesitate to seek medical advice if you’re concerned about your menstrual patterns
• Tracking your cycles can provide valuable insights and aid in discussions with healthcare professionals

By staying informed and proactive about their menstrual health, women can take control of their well-being and seek appropriate care when needed.

Long Periods: Is Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding Cause for Concern?

Doctors use the term “menorrhagia” to describe a period that is dangerously heavy or long-lasting. According to the Mayo Clinic, menorrhagia means more than just having a period that drags on longer than you’d like; it means you are losing so much blood through your menses that you can’t maintain your usual activities.

What Is the Normal Duration for a Menstrual Period?

Women vary greatly in the range of their cycles. This includes how long they go between periods (typically anywhere from 21 to 35 days).

It also includes how long a period lasts. Generally, a period should last six days or less and start heavier and get lighter. “But every woman is different,” Dr. Thielen says.

What’s more important is whether the length of your period has changed, she stresses. “If you regularly bleed for eight or nine days, that’s not concerning. But if you previously had a five-day flow and now you’re going eight or nine, that should be evaluated,” she says. Even women in perimenopause, whose periods may be all over the place, are wise to get examined.

Depending on the circumstances, long menstruation might be a mild condition that can be easily controlled, or one that indicates a more serious underlying health issue.

RELATED: 5 Simple Yoga Moves for Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Relief

Is It Normal for a Period to Not Stop?

For some women it may seem as if the bleeding literally doesn’t stop, continuing through the entire month. But this isn’t usually the case.

Since the time between cycles is counted from the first day of your period, a woman who has a 24-day cycle with eight days of bleeding will experience only 16 days period-free. It may seem like you’re always having your period even though you’re within a standard timetable.

RELATED: Why You Shouldn’t Miss Your Ob-Gyn Wellness Visit Due to the Pandemic

What Causes Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding?

While irregular menstrual periods can be bothersome, many are caused by hormonal changes, which are common and rarely mean something serious. Younger girls just entering puberty and older women approaching menopause are most likely to experience these hormonally based prolonged or irregular periods.

Usually, a changing level of estrogen is to blame. Estrogen helps build up the uterine lining, called the endometrium, which if it is fertilized will support a pregnancy. If no pregnancy happens that month, the lining is shed as a menstrual period. Doctors use the term dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) when a hormone imbalance is the cause of the bleeding.

In some cases, birth control can impact the frequency, duration, and flow levels of menstrual periods. The copper IUD may cause extra bleeding, Thielen says. And while birth control pills usually shorten your periods, it’s possible some can have the opposite effect. Changing the type of birth control you use may help with this issue. But if you are on birth control pills you should not stop taking them or alter your birth control strategy without speaking to your physician.

What Underlying Conditions May Cause Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding?

A visit with your gynecologist or other healthcare professional is the first step in determining the cause of your prolonged menstrual bleeding. Your doctor will make a diagnosis after performing a series of tests.

Depending on your age and other symptoms, your doctor may test your blood for pregnancy, hormone levels, and thyroid function. Other diagnostic tests may include Pap smears, endometrial biopsies, ultrasounds, and other procedures.

Medical conditions that could be the cause of abnormal menstrual bleeding include:

• Uterine fibroids These noncancerous growths emerge inside the uterine walls. They can range in size from one tiny speck to several bulky masses. Also called leiomyoma, uterine fibroids can lead to heavy bleeding and periods that last longer than a week.
• Uterine polyps These small, noncancerous growths appear on (not inside) the wall of the uterus. Polyps are usually round or oval shaped.
• Endometriosis This disorder has tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus grows outside your uterus. In addition to excessive bleeding, endometriosis can cause significant pain.
• Endometrial hyperplasia This is a condition in which the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, becomes too thick. An excess level of the hormone estrogen is often to blame.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) PCOS is a hormonal disorder that often entails excess levels of the male hormone androgen.
• Thyroid disease Unhealthy levels of your thyroid hormone can cause periods to be long, heavy, light, or irregular.
• Intrauterine device (IUD) Especially in the first year, a copper IUD can cause heavier menstrual bleeding.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) PID is an infection in the female reproductive organs that is often transmitted during sex.
• Bleeding disorders When the blood does not clot properly, it can cause heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Endometrial cancer Though rare, this cancer of the uterine lining is the most serious cause of prolonged menstrual bleeding.

What Treatments Are Available for Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding?

Many causes of prolonged bleeding can be treated with birth control pills of estrogen and progesterone. This not only provides contraception, it can regulate hormone production and so treat bleeding caused by hormones. “Birth control pills generally decrease the overall amount of flow and so should lessen the length of your period,” Thielen says.

In some cases, such as for endometrial hyperplasia, the hormone progestin may be prescribed alone.

Other medicines may also be used. Lysteda (tranexamic acid) is a prescription drug that treats heavy menstrual bleeding. It comes in a tablet and is taken each month at the start of the menstrual period.

Prolonged bleeding caused by uterine fibroids can be treated with medication or with minimally invasive procedures such as endometrial ablation or laparoscopic surgery (known as a myomectomy). In severe cases an abdominal myomectomy or a hysterectomy may be recommended.

Are There Any Complications From Having a Long Menstrual Period?

Often, the biggest problem from having a long menstrual period is the way it impacts your quality of life. If this is the case, don’t be shy about exploring ways to change your cycle with your doctor.

“It’s okay to treat something simply because it’s a bother. Women don’t have to live that way,” Thielen says

And since blood is rich in iron, women who bleed a lot are at risk of anemia, she says.

How Can Birth Control or Menopause Affect the Duration of Your Period?

Birth control pills generally help with prolonged menstrual bleeding, but on occasion may cause it. IUDs, especially copper IUDs, sometimes cause prolonged bleeding, especially in the first year after insertion.

Women in perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause, frequently find their periods changing. Still, even if you’re perimenopausal, you want your doctor to check things out. “Long or irregular bleeding may just be from perimenopause. But it is also often our first clue of endometrial cancer or cervical cancer,” she says.

When Should You See a Healthcare Professional for a Long Menstrual Period?

If you have a long period for only one month, there’s probably no need to worry. But “if you notice a change for two or three cycles, that’s the time to seek out your doctor,” Thielen says.

Any significant bleeding (as opposed to spotting) between periods without an explanation such as a recently placed IUD should be evaluated. And a woman past menopause should have no bleeding at all and so should see her doctor immediately if she does.

Which Healthcare Professionals Can Help?

Several different types of medical professionals can help with prolonged periods. These include:

• Primary care physician
• Gynecologist
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant

Menstruation – abnormal bleeding – Better Health Channel

Abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding is also called ‘abnormal uterine bleeding’. We sometimes use this general term to describe bleeding that does not follow a normal pattern, such as spotting between periods. It used to be referred to as menorrhagia, but this term is no longer used medically.

On average, a typical woman passes around 40 ml of blood during her menstrual period, which lasts around four to seven days. For some women, however, bleeding may be excessively heavy or go on for longer than normal. 

A woman may have ‘chronic’ heavy or prolonged bleeding (for more than six months) or it may be ‘acute’ (sudden and severe). In most cases, the causes of abnormal menstrual bleeding are unknown. See your doctor about any abnormal menstrual bleeding.

Symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding

Symptoms include:

• bleeding for more than eight days
• heavy blood loss during the menstrual period – for example, soaking through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several hours in a row 
• needing to change your pad or tampon during the night
• have to change or restrict your daily activities due to your heavy bleeding
• bleeding or spotting between periods (intermenstrual bleeding)
• cramping and pain in the lower abdomen
• fatigue
• any vaginal bleeding after menopause.

If you think you may be experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding, you may find it useful to keep a pictorial blood loss assessment chart – this can help you give your doctor an idea of how heavy your period is.

Causes of abnormal uterine bleeding

While in many cases it is not possible to determine the exact cause, there are a number of reasons a woman may experience abnormal uterine bleeding. Some of the known causes of abnormal uterine bleeding include:

• spontaneous miscarriage in pregnancy
• ectopic pregnancy – lodgement of the fertilised egg in the slender fallopian tube instead of the uterine lining
• hormonal disorders – conditions such as hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroxine), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and hyperprolactinemia can disrupt the menstrual cycle
• ovulatory dysfunction – this is when the ovary does not release an egg each month. Most commonly, this occurs at either end of a woman’s reproductive years, either during puberty or at menopause
• endometriosis – the cells lining the uterus (endometrial cells) can travel to, attach and grow elsewhere in the body, most commonly within the peritoneal cavity (including on the outside of the uterus or on the ovarian surface)
• infection – including chlamydia or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• medication – may include anticoagulants, which hinder the clotting ability of the blood; phenothiazides, which are antipsychotic tranquilisers; and tricyclic antidepressants, which affect serotonin uptake
• intrauterine device (IUD) – is a contraceptive device that acts as a foreign body inside the uterus and prompts heavier periods
• hormonal contraceptives – may include the combined oral contraceptive pill, injections of a long-acting synthetic progesterone, a rod containing slow-release progesterone (implanted in the upper arm), or intrauterine system devices (progesterone-releasing contraceptive devices inserted into the uterus). The progesterone-only treatments commonly cause spotting
• hormone replacement therapy – used as a treatment for menopausal symptoms
• fibroids – benign tumours that develop inside the uterus
• polyps – small, stalk-like projections that grow out of the uterus lining (endometrium). Polyps may be associated with fibroids
• bleeding disorders – may include leukaemia and Von Willebrand disease
• cancer – most uterine cancers develop in the lining of the uterus, though some cancers grow in the muscle layers of the uterus. They are most common after menopause.

Diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding

The diagnosis and identification of potential causes of abnormal uterine bleeding involves a number of tests including:

• general examination
• medical history
• menstrual history
• physical examination
• cervical screening test
• blood tests
• vaginal ultrasound
• endometrial biopsy.

Treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding

Treatment will depend on the cause, but may include:

• medication – such as prostaglandin inhibitors, hormone replacement therapy or antibiotics
• dilatation and curettage (D&C) – involving dilation and gentle scraping of the cervix and the lining of the uterus
• change of contraception – it may be necessary to explore methods of contraception other than the IUD or hormones
• surgery – to remove tumours, polyps or fibroids or to treat ectopic pregnancy
• treatment of underlying disorders – such as hypothyroidism or a bleeding disorder
• hysterectomy – the removal of the entire uterus is a drastic last resort, generally only considered for treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding when a serious disease, such as cancer, is also present.

Where to get help

Why Is My Period Lasting So Long? – Cleveland Clinic

There’s really no such thing as a “normal” period. Sure there are general guidelines, but every woman is unique and different. Some women have unpredictable cycles, while others experience regular, clockwork menstruation. It’s important to note that there is likely nothing is wrong with you if your period is a little longer or shorter than others. It’s also perfectly fine if your period varies a bit from month to month.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

But what’s the deal if you suddenly feel like your period is lasting forever? Yep, it’s annoying. But is it cause for concern? Gynecologist Erin Higgins, MD, offers advice on what might be causing your period to overstay its welcome and how to manage it.

What’s normal?

You probably learned in high school that a woman’s period occurs every 21 to 35 days (with most women’s cycles occurring every 28 days).

The average period is two to seven days in length, so bleeding for eight days or more is considered long. In general, periods on the longer end of normal (five to seven days) aren’t something to worry about. So although aggravating, it’s unlikely due to an underlying problem.

Periods lasting for eight days or more should be investigated, says Dr. Higgins. Heavy periods (requiring multiple pad or tampon changes a day) or infrequent periods (occurring less than every 5 weeks) should also be evaluated. A change in cycle characteristics (such as a noticeable difference in frequency, heaviness or spotting between periods) is also a reason to seek medical care.

The source of the issue

Long periods can be the result of a variety of factors such as health conditions, your age and your lifestyle.  

Underlying health conditions that can cause long periods include uterine fibroids, endometrial (uterine) polyps, adenomyosis, or more rarely, a precancerous or cancerous lesion of the uterus. A long period can also result from hormonal imbalances (like hypothyroidism) or a bleeding disorder.

Many women struggle with long and heavy periods for years without knowing there are ways to manage and improve their symptoms. I encourage all patients to seek out medical care if they have questions about their menstrual cycle or other gynecologic issues.

The first step to managing long periods due to a specific condition is to treat it. This can include things like removing an endometrial polyp or correcting hypothyroidism. Hormonal contraceptives (things like the pill, the patch or a hormonal IUD) are commonly used to help regulate abnormal cycles resulting from a wide variety of causes. Most of these methods take three to six months before you’ll notice some improvement.

The effects of birth control and menopause

Various
forms of birth control can affect the frequency and duration of your period.
The birth control pill tends to produce a regular period that occurs every
month and lasts for three to five days. A hormonal IUD usually results in a
lighter period (less bleeding) or no
period at all. Most women experience spotting for the first few
months after getting the IUD.

A copper IUD (such as Paragard®) may have no effect on bleeding patterns or may cause heavier and longer periods for some women. Progestin-only methods like the injection, medroxyprogesterone acetate (such as Depo-Provera®), and the implant, etonogestrel (such as Nexplanon®) are associated with irregular spotting as well, but most women report lighter and shorter periods.

Periods can become longer and more irregular as women approach menopause. It’s important to discuss cycle characteristics with your doctor, especially women over the age of 45, as the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (a precancerous change) and endometrial cancer increases with age.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) (for Teens)

What Is Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is the name doctors use to describe when something isn’t quite right with a girl’s periods. Doctors also sometimes call AUB “dysfunctional uterine bleeding” (DUB). Like lots of medical names, it can sound worse than it is. Most of the time, AUB isn’t something to worry about.

Abnormal uterine bleeding means that periods may be heavier or last longer than normal or not come at all. Bleeding between periods is also a sign of AUB. AUB isn’t usually a major problem, but it can lead some girls to develop anemia (fewer red blood cells than normal).

If a girl has AUB, it might mean her periods last longer or have more bleeding than normal. Or, it might mean the opposite — that her bleeding is light and her periods aren’t coming as often as they should.

Because AUB isn’t usually a problem, doctors often don’t do anything about it. But sometimes they take action if a medical condition is causing AUB. Doctors also might treat AUB if it is causing another problem. For example, doctors may worry that a girl could get

anemiaif she is bleeding more than she should.

What Causes Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?

Most of the time, AUB happens because of changes in the body’s hormone levels.

For teen girls, one of the most common causes of hormone changes is when the body doesn’t release an egg from one of the ovaries. This is called

anovulation.

The release of an egg is part of the menstrual cycle. If a girl’s body doesn’t release an egg, the hormone changes can lead to less frequent or heavy periods.

Anovulation is most likely to happen after a girl first starts getting her period. That’s because the signals from the brain to the ovaries aren’t fully developed yet. It can last for several years until a girl’s periods become regular.

Other things can lead a girl to develop AUB. Some illnesses (like thyroid disease or polycystic ovary syndrome) can mess with the body’s hormones. Problems like compulsive exercise, not eating healthy foods, or too much stress can cause hormone changes. Some severe cases of AUB are caused by bleeding disorders such as von Willebrand disease.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?

Every woman has a heavy period from time to time. How do you know if it’s abnormal uterine bleeding? Only a doctor can tell for sure, but there are some signs that bleeding might not be normal.

One thing that can alert you to problems is the 1-10-20 test:

• You use more than 1 sanitary pad or tampon per hour.
• Your period lasts more than 10 days.
• There have been fewer than 20 days between your periods.

If you notice any of these things, call your doctor. Bleeding in between periods or after sex also can be a sign of AUB.

If your period stops for more than 3 months, ask your doctor about that too. If you’re not bleeding, the lining of the uterus can keep building up. Eventually it will need to flow out.

How Is Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Diagnosed?

A doctor will want to rule out other health problems before deciding a girl has AUB. For example, doctors might find out that a girl with heavy periods has a bleeding disorder like von Willebrand disease.

To diagnose AUB, doctors will ask questions about periods and bleeding. Expect your doctor to ask the date your last period started.

A doctor also might ask questions that don’t seem connected to bleeding — like about recent weight changes or if you have ever had sex. Doctors ask these questions because conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome and some STDs can cause abnormal bleeding. If they’re not treated, they may lead to more serious health issues, like infertility (not being able to have a baby).

Girls who have had sex and miss a period need to see a doctor. Missed periods could be a sign of pregnancy as well as a sign of AUB. If you have heavy bleeding or bleeding between periods, it could be an infection or other problem. For example, an ectopic pregnancy (when a pregnancy implants someplace other than the uterus) can cause bleeding, and can be life-threatening.

A doctor might do a physical exam and maybe a pelvic exam. Sometimes doctors order blood tests or ultrasound exams. Blood tests also can show if a girl has anemia.

How Is Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Treated?

Doctors treat AUB based on what’s causing it.

If a girl has very heavy bleeding, her doctor might test for anemia and prescribe iron pills or other treatments. For very light or irregular bleeding that goes on for a long time, medical professionals often prescribe birth control pills. Birth control pills contain hormones that can help balance a girl’s menstrual cycle.

Most girls just need time for their bodies to adjust to their hormones. Eventually, their menstrual cycles get regular naturally. If you’re ever worried that your period might not be normal, talk to your doctor.

Bleeding between periods | healthdirect

Vaginal bleeding between your periods is not unusual, but should be checked by your doctor if it happens more than once or twice. You should also go to your doctor if you bleed after sex.

If you are bleeding very heavily or you feel faint or that you might pass out, call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance. If calling triple zero (000) does not work on your mobile phone, try calling 112.

What can cause bleeding between periods?

There are several things that could cause bleeding between periods, such as changes to your hormones levels, use of hormonal contraception or contraceptive devices, an infection, or an injury.

Other causes of bleeding between periods may include:

Changes to your hormone levels

Young women often spot, or bleed very slightly, when they ovulate (release an egg from the ovary). It happens about 10 to 14 days after their period and is usually caused by a temporary drop in levels of the hormone oestrogen. This is quite normal.

As well as reduced oestrogen levels, you may also experience other hormonal imbalances, which are completely harmless. This could be as a result of stress, or a recent change of diet.

Girls who have just started their periods and women going through menopause are more likely to have irregular periods, which can be confused with bleeding between periods.

Your doctor may take a blood test to investigate your hormone levels and will advise you on possible treatments.

Use of hormonal contraception

Bleeding between periods often happens when you start to take hormonal contraceptives. This is because your hormone levels drop. It is also called breakthrough bleeding, and usually happens about 2 weeks after your last period.

Breakthrough bleeding should stop after 1 or 2 months. Your periods will usually become more regular within 6 months. Bleeding between periods can also happen if you forget to take one of your oral contraceptive pills.

However, if bleeding occurs at other points during your menstrual cycle, you should consult your doctor in order to rule out the possibility of other conditions.

Other hormonal contraceptives such as hormone containing intra-uterine devices (IUDs) contraceptive injections or rods can also cause breakthrough bleeding or irregular periods. Sometimes this may be because the device isn’t inserted properly, especially if it’s also painful. Check with your doctor as they may be able to give you medicine to control the bleeding and rule out other causes, like an infection.

Endometriosis

Sometimes bleeding between periods is caused by endometriosis, a problem with the lining of the womb. It can also cause heavy bleeding, irregular bleeding, painful periods and longer periods than normal.

Endometriosis is common and it can make it difficult to get pregnant. If you think you may have endometriosis, talk to your doctor as there are many different treatments available.

Fertility treatments

Vaginal bleeding may occur during certain fertility procedures — for example, during the egg collection stage of IVF treatment. Usually it is mild to moderate bleeding with some cramping. However, if you experience heavy bleeding, you should contact your fertility clinic or doctor for advice.

Not sure what to do next?

If you are still concerned about bleeding between periods, check your symptoms with healthdirect’s online Symptom Checker to get advice on when to seek medical attention.

The Symptom checker guides you to the next appropriate healthcare steps, whether it’s self-care, talking to a health professional, going to a hospital or calling triple zero (000).

Why Is My Period So Heavy?

What Is Menorrhagia?

Menorrhagia is the medical term for unusually heavy or long menstrual periods. Many women have heavy flow days and cramps when they have their period. But menorrhagia is not common.

With menorrhagia, your flow is so heavy that you’ll need to change your tampon or pad every hour for at least an entire day. You also have cramps so severe that they stop you from doing your usual activities.

Heavy periods are sometimes caused by subtle health problems, and they can lead to other health issues. If you soak through a pad or tampon every hour or so on a regular basis, talk with your doctor. They may be able to help.

Menorrhagia Symptoms

Some women have heavy periods all the time, from their very first menstrual flow. For others, they start after years or decades of typical periods.

It’s always a good idea to talk with your doctor about your heavy periods, especially if the problem is new for you. It could lead to anemia (low levels of red blood cells), which can make you feel weak, tired, or out of breath.

Women who have menorrhagia may have to:

• Change pads or tampons at least once an hour for a day or more
• Change pads in the middle of the night
• Wear two pads at a time to manage heavy flow

They may also:

• Skip things they like doing because of painful cramps
• Pass blood clots that are the size of quarters
• Have periods that last longer than 7 days
• Feel tired or short of breath
• Bleed between periods
• Bleed after menopause

Menorrhagia Causes and Risk Factors

Common causes of heavy periods include:

• Hormone problems. Every month, a lining builds up inside your uterus (womb), which you shed during your period. If your hormone levels aren’t balanced, your body can make the lining too thick, which leads to heavy bleeding when you shed the thicker lining. If you don’t ovulate (release an egg from an ovary), this can throw off the hormone balance in your body, too, leading to a thicker lining and a heavier period.
• Growths in the uterus (womb). Polyps are growths within the lining of your uterus. Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that grow within your uterus. Both can make your periods much heavier or make them last longer than they should.
• Certain IUDs. Many women use a small intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control. If your IUD doesn’t have hormones, it may make your periods heavier.
• Problems related to pregnancy. In rare cases, after sperm and egg meet, the growing ball of cells implants itself outside the uterus instead of inside. This is called an ectopic pregnancy. It can’t be a viable pregnancy, and it may cause serious health problems, such as heavy bleeding, which you may mistake for a heavy period. A miscarriage, which is when a baby dies in the womb, can also be the cause of heavy bleeding.
• Some female cancers. Rarely, cancer of the uterus, cervix, or ovaries may cause excess bleeding in some women, which may appear to be a heavy period.
• Bleeding disorders. They’re not common, but bleeding disorders — which run in families — make it hard for someone to stop bleeding when they’ve been cut. They can also make a woman’s period heavier and make it last longer.
• Certain medications.Blood thinners or drugs that fight inflammation may cause heavy periods.
• Other health problems including:

Menorrhagia Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your health history and ask you to describe your symptoms. They’ll do a physical exam and may need to order tests, like an ultrasound, Pap test, or blood tests. They may also take a sample of the tissue that’s lining your uterus.

Menorrhagia Treatment

Your doctor may be able to treat your heavy periods with these methods:

• Birth control. Taking birth control pills can alter the balance of hormones in your body, which can put an end to heavy periods. Getting an IUD that gives off hormones is another choice that can help lighten your periods.
• Certain drugs. Your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce the flow of your heavy periods. You may need to take the medication only when you have your period.
• Surgery. If your doctor finds polyps or fibroids, you can have them shrunk or removed. This may stop the heavy bleeding.
• Removing the lining of your uterus. There are a few ways that doctors can do this. The simplest procedure, called dilation and curettage (D&C), removes only the outermost layer of the lining of your uterus. It often stops heavy periods, but some women need to get this done more than once.
• Other procedures such as endometrial ablation and endometrial resection permanently remove or destroy the lining of the uterus. Women have much lighter periods or no periods afterward. Doctors advise women not to get pregnant after endometrial ablation or resection. You’ll still need to use birth control, because these treatments aren’t a form of contraception.
• Hysterectomy. In severe cases, you may need this surgery, which will remove your uterus. You won’t have your period anymore, but you also won’t be able to get pregnant.

Menorrhagia Complications

The bleeding of menorrhagia can lead to other problems including:

If you have complications, talk to your doctor about what might help control your menorrhagia and related symptoms.

Prolonged and heavy bleeding during menopause is common

ANN ARBOR—Women going through menopause most likely think of it as the time for an end to predictable monthly periods. Researchers at the University of Michigan say it’s normal, however, for the majority of them to experience an increase in the amount and duration of bleeding episodes, which may occur at various times throughout the menopausal transition.

The researchers from the U-M School of Public Health and U-M Health System offer the first long-term study of bleeding patterns in women of multiple race/ethnicities who were going through menopause. They say the results could impact patient care and alleviate undue concern about what to expect during this life stage that can last anywhere from 2-to-10 years.

Sioban Harlow

“For most women in their 30s, menstrual periods are highly predictable. With the onset of the menopausal transition in their 40s, women’s menstrual periods can change dramatically. These dramatic changes can be disconcerting and often provoke questions about whether something is wrong,” said Sioban Harlow, U-M professor of epidemiology.

“Women need more descriptive information about the bleeding changes they can expect. We need clear guidance to help women understand what changes in bleeding patterns do and do not require medical attention.”

The study, “Menstruation and the Menopausal Transition,” is reported in the current issue of BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Specifically, the research found that it is not uncommon for women to have prolonged bleeding of 10 or more days, spotting for six or more days and/or heavy bleeding for three or more days during the transition. In fact, of the more than 1,300 women ages 42-52 in the study, 91 percent recorded 1-3 occurrences in a three-year period of bleeding that lasted 10 or more days, nearly 88 percent reported six or more days of spotting, and close to 78 percent recorded three or more days of heavy flow. More than a quarter of the women had as many as three episodes of the 10+ days of bleeding in a six-month period.

The data from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation involved participants recording their experiences over a period from 1996 to 2006. The women were identified as African-American, Japanese, Chinese and white, and were from southeast Michigan, Los Angeles and northern California. Previous studies have been short and mostly limited to white women.

A few differences were noted between race/ethnicities, but most women from all groups reported instances of bleeding following one or more of the three patterns. Other health factors impacted the experience as well, including reported uterine fibroids, use of hormones and body mass index.

The authors say more research is needed before determining if the information about what is normal in the menopausal transition should impact diagnostic or therapeutic interventions.

“We think this paper will be helpful to professionals, both clinical and investigational, as it describes in much more quantitative terms the range of bleeding patterns women may normally experience through the menopausal transition,” said Dr. John Randolph Jr., U-M professor of obstetrics and gynecology.

For most women in their 30s, menstrual periods are highly predictable. With the onset of the menopausal transition in their 40s, women’s menstrual periods can change dramatically. These dramatic changes can be disconcerting and often provoke questions about whether something is wrong.
Sioban Harlow

“This finding calls for further clinical research to determine the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for evaluating alterations in bleeding during the midlife. It forms the basis from which appropriate clinical trials can be designed, and may be reassuring to some clinicians at the initial presentation of any of these patterns that watchful waiting is an acceptable option.”

Other authors: Pangaja Paramsothy, Lynda Lisabeth and Michael Elliott, University of Michigan; Dr. Gail Greendale, University of California, Los Angeles; Ellen Gold, University of California, Davis; and Sybil Crawford, University of Massachusetts Medical School.

The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation has grant support from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Nursing Research and NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health. The first author’s work on the study was supported by the NIH ReSTAGE collaboration and the U-M Rackham Graduate School.

Related Links:

90,000 Treatment of uterine bleeding – symptoms, hormonal and drug treatment

Treatment of uterine bleeding, regardless of the causes and age of the patient, pursues the following goals:

• Stopping bleeding and, if necessary, restoring lost blood volume
• Elimination of the cause of bleeding
• Rehabilitation

Stopping uterine bleeding in women of reproductive and climacteric age is achieved by curettage of the uterus or conservative treatment.In adolescence, hormonal hemostasis is performed, achieved by the use of gestagens, estrogens, or their combination. Curettage of the uterus in girls under 18 years old can be performed only if there are vital indications.

To stop and treat uterine bleeding, medications are additionally used, the action of which is directed to the blood coagulation system (dicinone, aminocaproic acid, tranexamic acid), as well as to the contractility of the myometrium.

In cases where the cause is benign or malignant tumors of the genital organs, the patient is recommended to undergo surgical treatment. During surgery, the uterus is removed, and in case of a malignant neoplasm and its appendages (fallopian tubes, ovaries), radiation and chemotherapy are possible. In all other cases, hormonal treatment of uterine bleeding is carried out to reduce the risk of their recurrence. The main goal of this treatment is to restore the normal menstrual cycle.Patients are prescribed hormone therapy, which should be carried out within 6-9 months.

During its implementation, women should regularly visit a gynecologist (the frequency of examination is at least once every 1-3 months). For endometrial hyperplasia in premenopausal women, endometrial ablation can be performed. During this procedure, the inner layer of the uterus is destroyed by thermal or laser exposure. In the future, the endometrium is no longer restored.The operation is easily tolerated by patients and provides good long-term treatment results, while the uterus stops bleeding almost immediately. Uterine artery embolization may be performed.

Medical treatment of uterine bleeding includes hormone therapy and treatment of complications, such as iron deficiency anemia (iron supplements, vitamins are needed). Drug treatment of uterine bleeding can be prescribed either in tablet form or in injectable form.It is also important to deal with pain during treatment: if the patient has a stomach ache, the woman needs to take an analgesic.

Uterine bleeding – diagnosis, treatment, prevention

Uterine bleeding – diagnosis, treatment, prevention

Bloody discharge from the uterus is a physiological phenomenon characteristic of menstruation, childbirth, postpartum recovery of the uterus. The release of blood from the uterus is accompanied by a number of gynecological procedures – abortion, cauterization of erosion, removal of the intrauterine device, hysteroscopy.If uterine bleeding does not fit within the normal range and is not associated with medical manipulations, contact the Odrex Medical House to find out the cause and subsequent treatment of the pathology

Symptomatic treatment of uterine bleeding solves only a momentary task – to alleviate the condition of a woman. Full treatment is possible provided that the pathology is accurately diagnosed. The difficulty in identifying the causes of discharge lies in the fact that they can be of a gynecological and non-gynecological nature.

By trusting Odrex obstetricians and gynecologists, you get:

• Comprehensive medical examination by gynecologists and related doctors;
• Competent interpretation of survey results;
• Exact determination of the cause of the disease;
• Complete treatment aimed at eliminating the identified causes;
• Comprehensive medical support for relapse prevention.

Uterine bleeding – symptoms

The main symptom of uterine bleeding of any origin is bleeding.The term “bleeding” does not mean that the discharge should be profuse, it can be smearing. Pathological bleeding differs from physiological in one or more of the following:

• Abundant blood loss – normally a woman loses 50-80 ml of blood in one menstrual cycle. An increase in blood loss can be indirectly judged by an increase in the consumption of personal hygiene products;
• The duration of the discharge is more than 7 days – the physiological norm is 3-7 days;
• Menstrual cycle less than 21 days or more than 35 days – prolonged absence of menstruation has a nature similar to frequent bleeding, therefore, it also requires treatment;
• Discharge between periods;
• Bleeding after having sex;
• Discharge from girls who have not started menstruation yet;
• Bleeding in postmenopausal women when menstruation is over.

Blood loss can result in anemia, general weakness, dizziness, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness.

Diagnosis of the nature of uterine bleeding in Odrex

The causes of uterine bleeding are so varied that the diagnosis process can take a long time. The diagnostician begins by examining the most likely factors, and then gradually cuts off unconfirmed pathologies. When examining, the doctor takes into account:

• Age of the woman;
• Presence / absence of pregnancy – bleeding may result from spontaneous abortion or ectopic pregnancy;
• Changes in the structure of a woman’s reproductive organs – uterine bleeding often develops against the background of endometriosis, vaginal cancer, cancer of the cavity or cervix, submucous myoma, hyperplasia of the endometrium, polyps of the cervical canal or uterine cavity;
• The presence of injuries to the vagina and uterus;
• The level of female sex hormones – if you suspect dysfunctional uterine bleeding, functional ovarian cyst, polycystic and other diseases associated with dysfunction of the ovaries;
• The presence of concomitant pathologies – with suspicion of uterine bleeding, which are the result of a number of infections, systemic diseases, for example, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypothyroidism, Malignant neoplasms, etc.
• Doctor’s recommendations – for example, iatrogenic uterine bleeding can develop on the background of hormonal contraception and hormonal therapy.

For the initial diagnosis of the disease, a gynecological examination and ultrasound of the pelvic organs are used.

To clarify the cause of the pathology, the gynecologist may additionally prescribe:

• Complete blood count.
• Cagulogram.
• Biochemical blood test.
• Bacterial culture and vaginal swab.
• PAP test.
• MRI of the pelvic organs.
• Hysteroscopy with histological examination of the uterine cavity.

Depending on the test results, the gynecologist selects further treatment tactics.

Uterine bleeding – treatment in Odrex

In case of significant blood loss, the main task of doctors is to stop uterine bleeding, replenish blood loss, and then look for the cause of the pathology. With insignificant blood loss, diagnostic measures are first carried out, and then conservative treatment is prescribed. To normalize the condition, the doctor recommends hemostatic and vaso-strengthening agents, drugs that reduce the uterus, multivitamins, iron preparations.With dysfunctional bleeding, a woman’s hormonal balance is normalized by combined oral contraceptives. The course of treatment lasts 3-6 months under the supervision of a physician.

With a threat to a woman’s life and organic causes of bleeding (polyp of the cavity or cervix, endometrial hyperplasia), surgical methods of stopping uterine bleeding are shown, with the removal of the contents of the uterus. A universal method for the simultaneous diagnosis of pathology and gynecological surgery is hysteroscopy.For this, an optical device, a hysteroscope, is inserted into the uterine cavity through the vagina.

The hysteroscope monitor displays visual information about the state of the uterine cavity. Thanks to the 10x magnification of the image, the doctor removes only pathological areas of tissue, and the uterine lining is subject to minimal trauma. The woman is in the hospital for 1-2 days, the recovery period is 5-7 days.

The hysteroscopic resection method is mainly used to obtain a histological examination of the uterine mucosa and to remove benign neoplasms.If the lesion covers large areas of uterine tissue, Odrex doctors use the ablation method – burning the endometrium. This method has a long-lasting healing effect and is ideal for postmenopausal women. However, it is not used in women planning a child, since the destruction of the endometrium is often irreversible. The patient is under the supervision of doctors in the hospital for 1-2 days, the recovery period after the procedure is 2-3 weeks.

If malignant neoplasms are detected after receiving a histological examination, a hysterectomy is performed – removal of the uterus.We perform hysterectomy with a low-traumatic laroscopic method or with an incision of the anterior wall for large tumors.
The method of laparoscopy reduces the patient’s rehabilitation time by 2-3 times compared to the classic open surgery, when an incision is made on the abdominal wall, opening the uterus. With laparoscopy, a woman will spend 3 days in the hospital, the recovery time after surgery is 2 weeks. With an open operation, the periods of stay in a hospital and rehabilitation are 5-7 days and 4-5 weeks, respectively.

Question – Answer

Can uterine bleeding be stopped at home?

If you have uterine bleeding for the first time, contact your gynecologist immediately, and in case of serious blood loss, call an ambulance. Before the ambulance arrives, it is shown:

• Bed Rest – Place your feet on a cushion or pillow. This position of the body contributes to the blood supply to vital organs;
• Cold on the lower abdomen – use an ice pack or bottle of cold water.Wrap the ice in a cloth to prevent frostbite. Apply a cold object for 10-15 minutes, then take a break for 5 minutes. The duration of the procedure is 1-2 hours.

Douching, heating procedures, hot baths are strictly prohibited.

How dangerous are uterine bleeding during menopause?

The period of extinction of the activity of the female genital organs is characterized by disruptions in the menstrual cycle. If your menstrual symptoms are not within your normal range, we recommend that you consult with your gynecologist.After the onset of menopause, there should be no bleeding from the uterus. Blood loss in the postmenopausal period may indicate the presence of a malignant process and requires an immediate visit to a gynecologist.

Is it possible to play sports with uterine bleeding?

Uterine bleeding is not an absolute contraindication for physical activity, however, we recommend refraining from playing sports during this period. Sports activities are an effective measure for the prevention of bleeding.With physical exertion, the tone of the blood vessels increases. Stimulating the production of the anti-stress hormone adrenaline also reduces the risk of bleeding.

How dangerous are spotting uterine bleeding?

Uterine bleeding is dangerous to women’s health and life. Self-medication and untimely access to a doctor can lead to an aggravation of the pathological process. Therefore, make an appointment with the gynecologist of the Odrex Medical House and be healthy!

Treatment of uterine bleeding in Kazan

Get advice

Leave a request and our specialist will call you back within 15 minutes

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AMB) – all cyclic and acyclic bleeding from the uterus, regardless of their genesis, outside the parameters of normal menstruation in women of childbearing age.

It should be understood that if there is a discharge of blood from the vagina at the wrong time during the month (not during the period of menstruation), or in improper quantities, you should immediately consult a gynecologist at the Clinic of SL.

Varieties of AMK

Typically, abnormal uterine bleeding (AMB) refers to bleeding originating from the cervix or fundus of the uterus, and since they are clinically difficult to distinguish, both options must be taken into account in uterine bleeding. Pathological bleeding can also occur during childhood and after menopause.

Depending on the nature of the disorders, various AMK symptoms are distinguished:

• hypermenorrhea (menorrhagia) – excessive (more than 80 ml) or prolonged menstruation (more than 7 days) with a regular interval of 21–35 days;
• metrorrhagia – irregular, intermenstrual bleeding;
• menometrorrhagia – irregular, prolonged uterine bleeding;
• polymenorrhea – frequent periods with an interval of less than 21 days.

Reasons for the appearance of AMK

Among the causes of abnormal uterine bleeding are:

• organic (inflammatory diseases, polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, endometriosis, tumors, disorders of the blood coagulation system, diseases of other organs and systems, etc.),
• dysfunctional (functional disorders in the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary system),
• iatrogenic (taking medications).

When assessing individual cases of AMK, the doctor pays special attention to the age and general condition of the patient’s genital area. Dysfunctional bleeding is more common at the beginning of the reproductive period, while organic disorders, including tumors of the genital organs, are observed at a later age.

Treatment of AMK

The principles of treatment of uterine bleeding depend on the causes that cause them, as well as the degree of blood loss, the patient’s condition and have two main goals: stopping bleeding and preventing its recurrence.It is possible to accurately determine the cause of bleeding only after colposcopy and laboratory tests.

First of all, methods of stopping bleeding are used:

• surgical hemostasis (curettage of the uterine cavity),
• hormonal hemostasis,
• taking hemostatic drugs.

After the bleeding has stopped, either therapy of the identified organic pathology or therapy aimed at the formation of a regular menstrual cycle is carried out.

If a woman is in the reproductive period, then the main goal is to restore the menstrual cycle and prevent relapse. COCs are prescribed according to the usual contraceptive scheme, according to a prolonged scheme (42 or 63 days) or gestagens in the 2nd phase of the cycle. What drug will be prescribed is determined by the specialist. Hormone therapy is carried out under the supervision of a physician.

In the premenopausal age, in the presence of hyperplasia without atypia, preference is given to gestagens, which provide protection for the endometrium.They are prescribed in a cyclic mode. However, it should be borne in mind that hormonal therapy does not always exclude a relapse of the disease. With complex hyperplasia, the methods are more radical, up to hysterectomy.

If the hyperplastic processes of the endometrium are combined with climacteric syndrome, then hormone replacement therapy is effective, which is also the prevention of osteoporosis.

In postmenopausal women, the question of surgical treatment, or rather the tactics of surgical treatment: hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) or endometrial ablation, is being decided.Hormone therapy is not advisable.

In case of recurrent bleeding, lack of effect from conservative therapy, the question of surgical treatment is decided – resection, ablation of the endometrium, removal of the uterus.

We especially note that attempts to treat vaginal bleeding with folk remedies without first consulting a doctor is dangerous! Before using any folk recipes, you need to know your exact diagnosis and take into account the contraindications of the folk remedies used.

Get advice

Leave a request and our specialist will call you back within 15 minutes

The information on the Clinic-sl.ru website is not a public offer. Images of goods, services in the photographs presented on the site may differ from the originals. Information on the price of a product or service indicated on the website may differ from the actual one, check the cost by phone (843) 522-47-47 or from the administrators at the clinic’s reception at the address: Kazan, st.Pavlyukhina, 37. You can independently familiarize yourself with the services here. 90,000 Uterine bleeding – diagnosis and treatment in St. Petersburg, price

Uterine bleeding is one of the unpleasant conditions that bother women at the age of 20-30 between periods (metrorrhagia). Also, complaints often occur in a seemingly normal cycle, that is, heavy menstruation (menorrhagia).

30% of women of reproductive age consult a gynecologist for heavy menstrual bleeding.Loss of blood during menstruation in excess of 80 ml each month is considered profuse.

Sometimes uterine bleeding is accompanied by severe pain, as well as a deterioration in general well-being. Weakness, headaches, fatigue, decreased blood pressure, palpitations – all these signs are the result of blood loss, as well as a violation of the general hormonal background in the woman’s body. As a rule, menstrual irregularities are based on the instability of the function of the reproductive system, as well as the presence of serious pathology inside the uterus.

The causes of uterine bleeding are varied:

• uterine fibroids,

• Navy,

• endometriosis (or adenomyosis),

• polyps and endometrial hyperplasia,

• dysfunctional uterine bleeding,

• terminated pregnancy (see.bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy).

In rare cases, menorrhagia is associated with a clotting disorder such as thrombocytopenia and thyroid dysfunction. Incorrect maturation of the egg during a particular cycle “results” in “delays” in menstruation and bleeding – untimely rejection of the endometrium inside the uterus. What is the strength and duration? Depends on the state at the moment.

Frequent polyps and endometrial hyperplasia are already “areas of pathology like neoplasm” of the inner lining of the uterus.In polyps, hemorrhages, inflammatory processes can occur, which, against the background of heavy menstruation, further worsen the woman’s condition. These foci of the endometrium require removal, followed by examination of the polyp tissue under a microscope. This is a medical procedure, but after the operation, the woman needs medical correction.

The next condition that causes heavy menstruation may be uterine fibroids, i.e. benign tumor of the muscle layer of the uterus.This disease also occurs against the background of hormonal and immune disorders in a woman’s body. There is an increase in the level of estrogen in the blood, a change in the susceptibility of the uterus and metabolic processes. Localization, size, nature of growth of myomatous nodes allows the doctor to determine the tactics of treatment – surgical removal of the node or conservative drug therapy.

As for endometriosis of the uterus, this disease can also cause heavy menstruation with intense pain that smears blood flow before and after menstruation.This is due to the proliferation of the mucous membrane of the uterus deep into the muscle layer. This is facilitated by previous miscarriages and other interventions in the uterine cavity. Treatment is carried out with hormonal drugs, “leveling” the disturbed hormonal background.

Thus, we see that uterine bleeding is the result of a wide variety of disorders in a woman’s body. This condition depletes the immune and hormonal systems, causes cardiovascular changes, impairs overall well-being and can be life-threatening.

Any of the above conditions requires immediate, accurate diagnosis, followed by monitoring of the patient’s condition by an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding

This is the result of a violation of the production of sex hormones in the ovaries. There are in different age periods – children (juvenile), childbearing, climacteric. A variety of factors contribute to their occurrence: age-related characteristics of the body, neuropsychic, occupational hazards, unfavorable material and living conditions, infectious diseases, chronic inflammatory processes of the reproductive system, etc.The disease is characterized by an alternation of a delay in menstruation (up to several weeks) and bleeding, which are different in strength and duration.

Treatment of uterine bleeding

Treatment has two goals: stopping bleeding and preventing re-bleeding. In the climacteric period, it is necessary to begin with diagnostic curettage of the uterine cavity and hysteroscopy, which also has diagnostic value for excluding, first of all, uterine cancer.The main methods in childbearing age, in addition to curettage, are hormone therapy, symptomatic drugs that reduce the uterus, vitamin and physiotherapy. With juvenile bleeding, curettage of the uterus is resorted to only in extreme cases, mainly for life-long indications: severe bleeding that does not stop under the influence of hormones.

Expansion and scraping procedure | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

This information will help you prepare for your dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure.It tells you what to expect before, during and after your procedure.

D&C is a procedure in which the cervix dilates (slowly opens) and tissue is removed from the uterus. The tissue is removed with a thin instrument called a curette.

You may have a hysteroscopy at the same time as your D&C procedure. This is a procedure in which a thin endoscope with a flashlight and a camera at the end is inserted into the uterus through the vagina. This gives your doctor the opportunity to examine the lining of the uterus for any abnormalities.

to come back to the beginning

D&C Objective

Typically, a D&C procedure is performed to identify the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding (discharge of blood from the uterus). Examples of abnormal uterine bleeding:

• bleeding between periods;
• bleeding after vaginal intercourse, including small blood spots;
• profuse, irregular or prolonged menses;
• Sudden vaginal bleeding after a year or longer without menstruation.

The reason for this bleeding may be:

• Endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is cancer of the lining of the uterus. The D&C procedure helps diagnose cancer early.
• Fibroids. Fibroids are growths on the uterus made of connective tissue and muscle fibers. In most cases, they are benign (not cancerous).
• Polyps. Polyps are growths that form on the inner wall of the uterus and protrude into the uterine cavity (the space inside the uterus).They are usually benign, but some may be cancerous or precancerous (leading to the development of cancer). Polyps can be removed during the D&C procedure.
• Hyperplasia.
  Hyperplasia is a pathological proliferation of the inner lining of the uterus. Hyperplasia may be precancerous.

The D&C procedure can also be used to diagnose or treat other diseases of the uterus.
In addition, it is used to clean the inner lining of the uterus after a miscarriage or induced abortion.

to come back to the beginning

Before the procedure

Ask questions about your medicines

You may need to stop taking some of your medicines before your procedure. Talk to your doctor about which medications you can stop taking. Below are some common examples.

• If you are taking a coagulant (blood thinner), ask your doctor when you should stop taking it.These drugs include warfarin (Coumadin ^® ), dalteparin (Fragmin ^® ), heparin, tinzaparin (Innohep ^® ), enoxaparin (Lovenox ^® ), clopidogrel (Plavix ^® ) (clopidogrel (Plavix ^® ) and ® ).
• If you are taking insulin or other diabetes medications, ask the doctor who prescribed the medication what to do on the morning of your procedure. You may need to change your dose.

Arrange someone to take you home

You must arrange with someone 18 years of age or older to be taken home after your procedure.If you don’t have one, call one of the agencies listed below. You will be provided with an escort who will take you home. These services are usually chargeable and you will need to provide transportation.

to come back to the beginning

The day before the procedure

Record the time at which the procedure is scheduled

The Admitting Office will call you after 2:00 pm the day before your procedure.If your procedure is scheduled for a Monday, you will be called on the Friday before.

The staff member will tell you what time you must arrive at the hospital for your procedure. He will also tell you where to go. If no one contacts you by 19:00, please call 212-639-5014.

Instructions for eating and drinking before the procedure

• Do not eat after midnight the day before your procedure.This also applies to candy and chewing gum.

• Between midnight and two hours before your scheduled arrival time at the hospital, you may drink a maximum of 12 ounces (350 ml) of water (see illustration).

• Avoid eating or drinking two hours before your scheduled hospital arrival time. This also applies to water.

to come back to the beginning

Day of the procedure

Points to Remember

Take only the medicines your doctor has prescribed for the morning of your procedure.Wash them down with a few small sips of water.

What to expect

You will be shown to the dressing room and asked to remove all clothing, jewelry, dentures and contact lenses. One of the staff will give you a hospital gown.

After changing into a hospital gown, you will meet with a nurse. The nurse will take you to the treatment room and assist you on the operating table. If you feel cold, ask the nurse for a blanket.

If you feel cold, ask the nurse for a blanket. First, you will be given an intravenous fluid, and then anesthesia (a drug that will make you fall asleep) will be given anesthesia through the same dropper. You will also be hooked up to equipment to monitor your heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.

You will be given anesthesia (medication that makes you fall asleep) through an IV catheter. When you fall asleep, your doctor will begin your procedure.

to come back to the beginning

After procedure

Hospital

• You will be transferred to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).There, a nurse will monitor your body temperature, heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. You may receive oxygen through a thin tube under your nose. You will be in the recovery room until you fully recover.
• When you are fully awake, you will be transferred to the recovery area. You can have tea or juice, have a light snack and see your visitors.
• You may experience aching, cramping pains in your lower abdomen (belly).Ask your nurse for pain relief medication. Your doctor or nurse may also give you a prescription for pain medication to take at home.
• The nurse will give you instructions on how to take care of yourself at home. When you are allowed to leave the recovery area (discharged), you must have a companion who is at least 18 years old.

Homes

• You may feel sleepy while still under anesthesia.It is important that you have someone near you for the first 24 hours after your procedure.
• For 2 weeks after the procedure or as indicated by your doctor, refrain from:
  • douching;
  • use of tampons;
  • vaginal intercourse.
• It is allowed to take a shower. Ask your doctor when you can take a bath.
• You may have cramps and vaginal bleeding, like during your period.This can continue for several days after the procedure. Use sanitary pads for vaginal bleeding.
• Call your doctor to make an appointment for your follow-up.

to come back to the beginning

Call your doctor or nurse if you have:

• Temperature 101 ° F (38.3 ° C) or higher
• Vaginal bleeding more profuse than normal menstrual bleeding;
• pain that does not go away after taking a medication recommended by your doctor;
• edema in the abdominal cavity;
• Unpleasant odor of vaginal discharge.

to come back to the beginning

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding: Diagnosis and Treatment

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is abnormal bleeding from the uterus. Distinguish between juvenile bleeding (during puberty), climacteric bleeding (in the stage of extinction of ovarian function), bleeding of the reproductive period.

DMC is expressed by an increase in the amount of blood lost during menstruation or an increase in the duration of menstruation.In this case, there are long delays in menstruation up to 6 months. Pathology leads to the development of anemia.

Causes and Symptoms

In childbearing age, frequent causes of ovarian dysfunction and uterine bleeding are inflammatory processes of the reproductive system, diseases of the endocrine glands, surgical termination of pregnancy, stress, etc., in menopause – dysregulation of the menstrual cycle due to the extinction of hormonal function.

The clinical picture of uterine bleeding at any age is characterized by prolonged spotting that appears after a significant delay in menstruation and is accompanied by signs of anemia: pallor, dizziness, weakness, headaches, fatigue, and a decrease in blood pressure.

Diagnostics and treatment

When diagnosing dysfunctional uterine bleeding, it is necessary to consult several specialists: gynecologist, endocrinologist, neurologist. Doctors identify anamnesis data, assess the development of secondary sexual characteristics, physical development. Blood tests, ultrasound of the pelvic organs, thyroid and adrenal glands, MRI of the brain are prescribed in order to exclude tumor lesions of the pituitary gland.

The primary task in the treatment of uterine bleeding is to carry out hemostatic (hemostatic) measures.Further treatment tactics are aimed at preventing recurrent uterine bleeding and normalizing the menstrual cycle.

Modern gynecology has in its arsenal several ways to stop dysfunctional uterine bleeding, both conservative and surgical. The choice of the method of hemostatic therapy is determined by the general condition of the patient and the amount of blood loss. For moderate anemia (with hemoglobin above 100 g / l), uterine-reducing drugs are used.Bloody discharge usually stops 5-6 days after the end of the drug.

Heavy and prolonged uterine bleeding leading to a progressive deterioration of the condition (severe anemia with Hb less than 70 g / l, weakness, dizziness, fainting) are indications for hysteroscopy. In this procedure, a special device is inserted into the uterus – a hysteroscope. This procedure allows both diagnosis and treatment to be carried out simultaneously. With DMC, hysteroscopy with separate diagnostic curettage is indicated for pathomorphological examination of scraping.A contraindication to curettage of the uterine cavity is a blood clotting disorder.

In parallel with hemostasis, antianemic therapy is carried out.

Prevention

Usually this disease is caused by unpredictable changes in hormone levels, due to which it cannot be prevented. Excess weight affects the ratio of hormones in the human body, therefore, it can contribute to the appearance of the aforementioned disease. When you are overweight, it is worth losing weight to reduce the likelihood of developing DMK.

Effective treatment of dysfunctional bleeding | Clinic of Chinese medicine TAO

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding – a variant of deviation from the normal course of the menstrual cycle. The physiological menstrual cycle consists of cyclical changes in the reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries, vagina). The main biological significance of the cycle is to prepare a woman’s body for pregnancy and bearing a fetus.The normal duration of the menstrual cycle is 21-35 days.

Read completely

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding

Causes of dysfunctional uterine bleeding

From the point of view of traditional European medicine, uterine bleeding that occurs during puberty, reproductive period and during menopause is due to a dysfunction of a single system that unites the pituitary-hypothalamus-adrenal glands and ovaries.Moreover, depending on the presence or absence of ovulation during bleeding, it is customary to distinguish between dysfunctional uterine bleeding, ovulatory and anovulatory.

Anovulatory uterine bleeding occurs more often in puberty, when the menstrual cycle begins to form, as well as in menopause as a result of age-related changes in the endocrine system. In the puberty period, such bleeding can occur after stress, infectious diseases, intoxication.This type of bleeding is characterized by an interval between cycles from one and a half months to six months, and the bleeding itself can last up to 10 days.

Chinese medicine believes that the cause of dysfunctional uterine bleeding lies in the yin or yang emptiness of the kidneys. It should be noted that the uterus is indeed closely connected with the dense organ of the “kidney” and the meridians chong-mai and zhen-mai, which directly connect the uterus with the governing organ. In the case of the empty qi of the kidneys, acyclic uterine bleeding occurs.The uterus is also connected to the heart (which drives blood), the liver (stores blood), and the spleen (the organ that controls blood). Thus, it becomes clear that disturbances in the activity of these large organs also lead to dysfunctional uterine bleeding and even infertility. It is this broad understanding of the close connections of all organs in the human body that becomes the basis for the selection of a comprehensive therapy regimen, for the restoration of the body as a whole. Often, women suffer for years from menstrual irregularities, which entail a snowball of health problems and psychological discomfort, doctors in the clinic are trying to cure one symptom after another, but there is no effect.And the doctor of Chinese medicine manages to restore the woman’s health and joy of life after a few sessions, since he directs his medical efforts to harmonize all body systems. You can read more about the terms and concepts used in Chinese medicine in a dedicated article.

Disease symptoms

Separately, I would like to note juvenile dysfunctional uterine bleeding – a frequent phenomenon, especially troubling girls aged 12-18 years.In the onset of this disease, both endocrine disorders and physical and psycho-emotional overload, infections, unbalanced nutrition and especially the widespread tendency of girls to refuse food in order to maintain a slim figure play a role. Often this violation is observed during the first two years after the onset of menstruation in a girl. Anemia, as a consequence of prolonged uterine bleeding, can be a particular problem. In addition, girls have general weakness, impaired appetite, increased fatigue, headache, insomnia, palpitations.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding that occurs during the reproductive period is a consequence of hormonal imbalance, inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs, diseases associated with a violation of the blood coagulation system, past abortions, diseases of the nervous system, metabolism, infections and intoxication. Symptoms are practically similar to those in juvenile bleeding, but infertility and organic diseases of the uterus and ovaries are often recorded.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding during menopause necessarily requires a thorough examination of the patient, not only to identify the causes of the disease, but also for cancer alertness. In this case, the patient is worried about a change in conditions: from a prolonged delay in menstruation to an equally prolonged uterine bleeding.

Treatment of dysfunctional bleeding in the TAO clinic

In the usual medical practice for many Europeans, the prescription of drugs to stop bleeding, hormones is used to treat patients with similar diseases.And more often – they perform medical and diagnostic curettage of the uterine cavity, which, although it has a certain therapeutic effect, is far from harmless for the woman’s body as a whole, and most importantly, does not guarantee the final cure of the disease. In the clinic of Chinese medicine, each patient is provided with an individual and comprehensive approach, which involves diagnostics to identify the causes, methods for restoring energy flows and normalizing the lost functions of the genitals, endocrine system and metabolism.