Abnormal bleeding

If you are experiencing abnormal bleeding, it’s a good idea to talk to a health provider. Many of the most common causes of abnormal bleeding are not serious and are easy to treat. But others are more serious. A trained and certified women’s health provider can help determine which tests might be necessary to diagnose the cause of your bleeding and recommend an appropriate course of treatment.

Abnormal uterine bleeding can be an alarming symptom for many women; however, it also happens to be extremely common. Roughly speaking, abnormal bleeding falls into three main categories:

Abnormal or irregular uterine bleeding is often caused by fluctuations in hormone levels, including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. These hormonal fluctuations may be due to something as simple as an unusual amount of stress. Or they may be due to the onset of menopause or a thyroid disorder.

Other causes of abnormal bleeding include fibroids (benign tumors that grow inside or outside the uterus), polyps (benign growths inside the uterus), problems with ovulation, endometriosis, adenomyosis, bleeding disorders, certain medications or pregnancy. Rarely, abnormal bleeding may be due to certain types of reproductive cancer, including cervical, endometrial and vulvar cancer.

Treatments for abnormal bleeding vary, depending on the type and cause of the bleeding, your age and whether you want to have children. Medical therapies are usually the first line of treatment, and there are many surgical procedures to treat abnormal bleeding caused by structural abnormalities in the uterus.

Not sure where or how to get started? Our specialists are ready to listen. Schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN to get started.