During a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle, the mucous membranes that line her uterus are shed. The lining, consisting of the tissues, mucus, and blood, exits your body through the vagina in the form of menstrual blood. This should normally last between 3 and 7 days. If the menstrual bleeding occurs at unpredictable times, amounts, and duration, this could indicate Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB). It’s important to schedule a visit to the gynecologist in Thane West to get evaluated for abnormal bleeding, as it can indicate an underlying health issue.
Types of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
1) Menorrhagia:
The most common type of AUB is menorrhagia. If you experience heavy bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days, results in significant blood loss (above 80 mL per menstrual cycle), and occurs with large blood clots, you could have menorrhagia. The condition can lead to anemia. Uterine fibroids, polyps, and hormonal disorders can cause menorrhagia.
2) Metrorrhagia:
Metrorrhagia refers to abnormal uterine bleeding that occurs outside your menstrual cycle. It could be spotting in between periods or heavy bleeding. Sometimes, bleeding that occurs a few days after menstruation is mistaken for another menstrual cycle in the same month. Polyps, endometriosis, and hormonal fluctuations are the common causes, but the condition could also indicate a more serious issue, like cancer of the reproductive organ.
3) Polymenorrhea:
You may have normal blood flow during your menstrual cycle, but the interval between your menstrual cycle could be shorter than normal. In women with polymenorrhea, the menstrual cycle is shorter than 21 days, which means you might get periods twice a month.
4) Oligomenorrhea:
Some women may have menstrual cycles longer than 35 days. You might go two months or more without having a period. The condition is called oligomenorrhea and is mostly caused by PCOS or thyroid disorders.
Causes and Risk Factors
a) PCOS:
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can be the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding or infrequent periods. It’s a hormonal disorder that may lead to a wide range of reproductive and other health issues in women.
b) Uterine Fibroids and Polyps:
These are the non-cancerous growths in your uterus, causing prolonged menstruation and heavy bleeding. You might also experience spotting between periods.
c) Endometriosis:
The tissues lining your uterus can grow outside the uterus (mainly within the pelvic region), causing heavy bleeding and painful cramps.
d) Cancer:
Although less common, abnormal uterine bleeding, specifically if it happens after menopause, can indicate malignancy.
Treatment Options
See a doctor if you have heavy bleeding (soaking a pad every hour or passing blood clots), prolonged bleeding, or infrequent menstrual cycle. AUB treatment in Thane West can include medication, home remedies, and invasive treatment options.
Usually, mild cases of abnormal uterine bleeding can be fixed with lifestyle adjustments, like practicing stress-reducing exercises, controlling your weight, living an active lifestyle, and eating a balanced diet. A gynecologist may recommend hormonal treatment, like birth control pills or progesterone therapy, to control heavy bleeding. You may consider minimally invasive treatments, like uterine fibroids embolization and endometrial ablation. If nothing works, your last resort is hysterectomy — uterus removal surgery that ends menstruation and makes pregnancy impossible.
