What is Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?
The medical term abnormal uterine bleeding refers to any irregular bleeding of your uterus. This could mean your period lasts longer or shorter than usual, occurs at a different-than-usual time, or is heavier or lighter than usual.
What causes Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?
The most common cause of abnormal uterine bleeding is a hormonal imbalance. Every month, before your period, your ovaries release an egg for fertilization; this process is called ovulation. During ovulation, hormones are released. If your ovaries do not release an egg, it causes an imbalance in hormone levels. The imbalance in hormone levels can cause various irregularities in your period.
Other reasons for abnormal uterine bleeding may include:
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Issues with your uterus
- Cancer of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, or vagina
- Medical conditions such as blood clotting
- Blood thinners
- Excessive weight loss
- Excessive weight gain
- Birth control
- Infection of the uterus or cervix
- Stress
What are the symptoms of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?
Symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding will typically include unusual bleeding patterns related to your menstrual cycle. Abnormal uterine bleeding symptoms may include:
- Period cycles are less than 3 weeks or greater than 5 weeks apart
- Period lasts less than 2 days or more than a week
- Heavy bleeding during menstrual cycle
- Spotting
- Bleeding after sex
- Fatigue or anemia due to blood loss
Abnormal uterine bleeding after menopause or during pregnancy is not normal. If you are postmenopausal or pregnant and experience abnormal uterine bleeding, contact one of our doctors.
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How is Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Diagnosed?
Abnormal uterine bleeding is diagnosed based on what irregularities and symptoms you experience. To determine an appropriate diagnosis, our doctors will need to know:
- How much you bleed during your period
- How many days your period lasts
- How often you bleed
- The time span between your periods
Based on this information, our doctors will classify your condition as one of two types of abnormal uterine bleeding:
- AUB/HMB – abnormal uterine bleeding with heavy menstrual bleeding, previously referred to as menorrhagia.
- AUB/IMB – abnormal uterine bleeding with bleeding between periods.
For diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding to be confirmed, all other potential diagnoses must be ruled out. Our doctors will perform additional testing to ensure there are no underlying conditions.
Is there medication for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?
If you are wondering how to stop abnormal uterine bleeding or are seeking management of abnormal uterine bleeding, one of our doctors can help determine what treatment is most appropriate for you. Abnormal uterine bleeding treatment options may include:
- Birth control
- Hormone therapy
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Endometrial ablation
- Hysterectomy
Certain treatments may impact your ability to get pregnant. Speak with our doctors to find out more about the impact of specific treatment options on pregnancy.
What is Menorrhagia?
Menorrhagia, now referred to as AUB/HMB, is defined as unusually heavy or extended duration of bleeding during your period. If you find that the level of blood loss experienced during your period is interfering with your daily activities, you may have menorrhagia.
What are the common causes Menorrhagia?
Menorrhagia typically occurs when your body is unable to release an egg for fertilization during your period. Underlying medical conditions can also cause menorrhagia. Reasons for menorrhagia may include:
- Pregnancy complications
- Hormone imbalance
- Dysfunction of the ovaries
- Uterine fibroids
- Polyps
- Adenomyosis
- Intrauterine device
- Cancer
- Hereditary bleeding disorders
- Certain medications
- Existing medical conditions
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What are the signs of Menorrhagia?
For most, monthly periods comes with a few uncomfortable days of bleeding and cramps. If the bleeding you experience during your period is so severe that it interrupts your life beyond the usual menstrual symptoms, you may have menorrhagia. Speak with one of our doctors if you:
- Consecutively bleed through sanitary napkins or tampons every hour
- Use double sanitary napkins or tampons
- Change sanitary protection during the night
- Bleed for more than a week
- Produce large menstrual blood clots
- Are unable to participate in daily activities
- Experience signs of anemia (e.g. tiredness, shortness of breath)
Menorrhagia symptoms may also be a sign of endometriosis.
How is Menorrhagia Diagnosed?
Menorrhagia, now referred to as AUB/HMB, can only be diagnosed after your doctor has ruled out all other possible causes for the heavy bleeding. Along with performing a physical, obtaining your medical history, and gathering information about your menstrual cycles, your doctor may conduct additional testing, such as:
- Ultrasound
- Blood tests
- Pap smear
- Endometrial biopsy
- Sonohysterography
- Hysteroscopy
Once all other conditions have been excluded for cause, our doctors can make a clear diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for your needs.
How is Menorrhagia Treated?
To help stop menorrhagia, our doctors may offer various treatment options for the medical management of menorrhagia. Menorrhagia treatment drugs and procedures may include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Tranexamic acid
- Oral contraceptives
- Oral progesterone
- Hormonal IUD
- Dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure
- Uterine artery embolization
- Focused ultrasound surgery
- Myomectomy
- Endometrial ablation
- Endometrial resection
- Hysterectomy
When choosing a treatment that is right for you, our doctors will assess various factors, including the cause of your condition, your health, medical history, and whether or not you want to have children.
What are the complications of Untreated Menorrhagia?
If left untreated, chronic menorrhagia can lead to anemia and severe pain. Anemia due to menorrhagia will present symptoms like fatigue, weakness, chest pain and shortness of breath. If you experience severe pain with menorrhagia, a medical evaluation and treatment may be needed.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
If you are experiencing signs of abnormal bleeding during your menstrual cycle, schedule an appointment today with an Ob/Gyn specialist at Huey & Weprin Ob/Gyn. With specialized care and cutting-edge treatments in obstetrics and gynecology, Huey & Weprin Ob/Gyn offers a wide variety of gynecologic and obstetric services from leaders in Ob/Gyn research development. Call 937.771.5100 or fill out the form on this page to schedule an appointment.