What Every Woman Should Know About Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Uterine bleeding looks a little bit different for every woman. Not to mention that your period will change depending on your stage of life. Even though your period is always going to be mildly inconvenient and maybe uncomfortable, it shouldn’t massively disrupt your everyday life and sideline you for days at a time.

If abnormal uterine bleeding has begun to take a toll on your life, our team at Metro Health and Wellness in Nashville, Tennessee, and Marietta, Georgia, led by Dr. Kirstie Cunningham, wants you to know that there are solutions available to you, especially when our experts can help you get to the root cause.

So, in this month’s blog, we’re discussing common causes of abnormal bleeding and how we can help.

What defines a “normal” period?

Though this is a simple question, the answer certainly is not. Your monthly cycle is shaped by a long list of genetic and environmental factors, along with lifestyle factors, all of which are unique to you. This means that what’s “normal” for one woman won’t be for another. 

There are still a few general factors that define a monthly period. Typically, your cycle lasts about 21-35 days, and bleeding lasts for anywhere from two to seven days. You may have the same amount of bleeding each day, or you might have “heavy” days before the bleeding slows down. 

You could have multiple large blood clots or no visible clots at all. You may have painful cramps or sail through your period with little to no pain.  

Because of this large variety in the menstrual cycle experience, defining abnormal bleeding can be tricky. However, bleeding is typically considered abnormal if it’s heavier than usual, lasts longer than usual, or happens inconsistently, with more or fewer days between periods. 

In most cases, heavy amounts of blood signal abnormal bleeding. So, if you find yourself having to change your pad or tampon every hour, or you’re experiencing frequent “flooding” of normal menstrual products, then you might have abnormal uterine bleeding.  

What are some common causes of abnormal bleeding?

We strongly encourage you to seek treatment with us for abnormal bleeding if your periods are heavy, painful, and significantly disruptive to your daily routines. Although there are many possible culprits of abnormal bleeding, some are very serious and require expert-level treatment before the condition can cause severe health consequences.

Your abnormal periods may be caused by any number of conditions,including:

• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids, cysts, or polyps
• Thyroid disease
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Cervical, ovarian, or uterine cancer
• Certain sexually transmitted infections

If left untreated, many of these conditions can threaten your health and fertility. In addition, heavy uterine bleeding can also lead to anemia, which has its own set of symptoms and potential complications. 

How is abnormal bleeding diagnosed?

When you come in for a diagnostic assessment, Dr. Cunningham begins by reviewing your health history and discussing the changes you’ve noticed in your menstrual cycle. She also performs a pelvic exam to check for tissue abnormalities. 

Another part of discovering the root cause of abnormal bleeding is blood testing, which can test for any hormonal imbalances. We may also recommend an abdominal or transvaginal ultrasound to look for any uterine abnormalities. 

How does treatment work?

Once Dr. Cunningham and our team have determined the underlying cause, we will discuss all of your treatment options with you. We may be able to manage some conditions through hormonal birth control or oral medications. Some issues can be resolved through minimally invasive procedures, while others may require surgical intervention. 

If you’re planning to become pregnant in the future, we can discuss which options offer the best possibilities of preserving fertility. 

To learn how we can help resolve abnormal uterine bleeding, schedule an appointment by calling your nearest office location or using our online booking feature today.