Menstrual cycles are part of normal life for many women. However, abnormally heavy, sustained, or off-cycle bleeding can cause discomfort and may signal a bigger problem. Maetozo Total Women’s Care of Saint Augustine expert practitioner, Sherri Maetozo, MD, can help you regulate your uterine bleeding and return to normal. Call the office in St. Augustine, Florida, today, or book your first appointment online.
Women of childbearing age typically experience bleeding during their menstrual cycle, which happens for about 2-7 days every 21-35 days. For women who have experienced periods for a couple of years and have not entered the pre-menopause period, abnormal bleeding includes:
For women who have undergone menopause, any type of uterine bleeding is abnormal.
If you bleed between your menstrual cycles or experience vaginal bleeding after menopause, it’s important to see your doctor. There are many causes of abnormal uterine bleeding, including:
Often, abnormal uterine bleeding is harmless and doesn’t have any underlying malignant cause. A doctor can help you confirm the cause of your abnormal uterine bleeding and plan steps to address and regulate your cycle.
If you’re experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding, keep a record of your bleeding patterns either on paper or by using a period tracker app. When you go to your first appointment, your doctor reviews your bleeding patterns and your symptoms.
Your doctor may also order tests to determine the cause of your uterine bleeding. These tests can include:
Once your doctor figures out why you’re experiencing irregular bleeding, she can start you on a treatment plan right away.
Often, the causes of abnormal uterine bleeding aren’t harmful to your health and can be easily treated. If your irregular bleeding is caused by hormonal issues, your doctor may prescribe you hormonal birth control to balance out your levels. This could include:
The additional hormones found in these birth control medications balance out your abnormal uterine bleeding symptoms
Other common treatments include gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH) to shrink fibroids or anti-inflammatory medications to reduce menstrual bleeding. For more serious cases of bleeding, your doctor might suggest invasive procedures, such as:
However, these are only implemented in more severe cases, and your doctor works with you to try other non-invasive methods to regulate your uterine bleeding first.
Maetozo Total Women’s Care of Saint Augustine is known throughout Florida for providing personalized gynecological care. Call today or make an appointment online.
