Once menstruation starts, most women have regular cycles. They know when to expect bleeding and when it should end, but some women struggle with irregularity or unusual bleeding during or in between their periods. This is called "abnormal uterine bleeding." It's described as bleeding that's heavy, lasts a long time, or happens between periods. Abnormal uterine bleeding can be caused by common hormone problems. One hormone problem is called "anovulation." This is when an ovary does not produce an egg during a menstrual cycle. This happens in many women 1 or 2 times each year. It can be more common in perimenopause. This is a long period of hormone changes leading up to menopause.
Abnormal Uterine BleedingOnce menstruation starts, most women have regular cycles. They know when to expect bleeding and when it should end, but some women struggle with irregularity or unusual bleeding during or in between their periods. This is called "abnormal uterine bleeding." It's described as bleeding that's heavy, lasts a long time, or happens between periods. Abnormal uterine bleeding can be caused by common hormone problems. One hormone problem is called "anovulation." This is when an ovary does not produce an egg during a menstrual cycle. This happens in many women 1 or 2 times each year. It can be more common in perimenopause. This is a long period of hormone changes leading up to menopause. Another hormone problem is polycystic ovarian syndrome, also known as PCOS. This is a complex condition that leads to irregular periods, excess hair growth, and other symptoms. In some cases, abnormal uterine bleeding can be caused by growths such as polyps or fibroids. It may be caused by cancer of the uterus or cervix or tumors that are not cancer. It can also be caused by pregnancy, miscarriage, and infections or other problems with the uterus. SymptomsSymptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding can occur in many ways. Bleeding may last from one period to the next. It may be a constant flow or it may be a very light flow known as "spotting." Bleeding may occur for a few days, stop for a few days, and then start again. It may last for a few weeks and then stop. It may be very heavy and cause clots. DiagnosisTo find out why you have abnormal uterine bleeding, your healthcare provider may perform a pelvic exam. You may also have an imaging test such as an ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create images of your pelvic organs. Or your provider may place a thin tool called a hysteroscope into your vagina and through the cervix. This lets your healthcare provider see inside the uterus. Another possible test is called an endometrial biopsy. During this test, a small piece of the lining of the uterus is taken and sent to a lab. You may have a pregnancy test or a Pap test. You may also have a blood test to check your hormone levels or blood counts. TreatmentIf the bleeding is very heavy, treatment may be needed to stop blood loss. In most cases, this can be done with a hormone medicine. Severe blood loss can cause anemia, which is often treated with iron supplements. If the bleeding is caused by growths, these may be removed. In some cases, your provider may recommend a procedure called an endometrial ablation. This procedure treats the inside lining of the uterus to stop the bleeding. In rare cases, the uterus may need to be removed to stop symptoms. This is called a hysterectomy. Your healthcare provider will discuss your treatment options with you. What to do Tell your healthcare provider if there is a chance you may be pregnant.Keep track of your menstrual cycle and let your provider know about any changes. Take your medicine exactly as directed. Don't stop taking it when the bleeding stops unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Call your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not go away or if they get worse. Let your provider know if you feel dizzy, weak, or short of breath. These may be symptoms of severe anemia. Call if your bleeding is soaking through pads or tampons every 2 hours or if you have large blood clots. What we have learnedAbnormal uterine bleeding is caused by having sex during your period. True or false? The answer is "false". Some causes of abnormal uterine bleeding are hormones, polycystic ovary disease, growths like fibroids, and even cancer. Ultrasound is one way to find out what's causing abnormal uterine bleeding. True or false? The answer is "true". Your healthcare provider may use ultrasound, a hysteroscope, or take some tissue for a biopsy to find out what's causing the problem. Endometrial ablation is one treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding. True or false? The answer is "true". This procedure treats the inside lining of the uterus to stop the bleeding.
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