Abnormal Bleeding Specialists

What is Abnormal Bleeding?

Very few women experience a completely predictable menstrual cycle. It’s common to have some fluctuations in the length of your cycle or the heaviness of your flow. 

However, it’s important to pay attention to any changes you observe. Abnormal bleeding isn’t always a passing oddity. It can indicate that something is wrong in your body. 

A normal menstrual flow usually lasts a week or less and can be comfortably managed with tampons, pads, or a menstrual cup. You experience abnormal bleeding when you:

• Bleed for longer than a week
• Bleed so much you need to change a tampon, pad, or cup every couple of hours
• Bleed between periods

If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t wait to talk to the team at North Atlanta Women’s Specialists. They can help you determine what’s causing your abnormal bleeding so you can get started with the right treatment.

What Causes Abnormal Bleeding?

Some normal bodily changes, like perimenopause, can cause changes in your menstrual cycle and lead to bleeding that seems abnormal to you. But other causes of abnormal bleeding can present a serious threat to your health or your ability to get pregnant, so it’s important to identify what’s causing your irregular bleeding. 

Some of the most common causes of abnormal bleeding include:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Uterine fibroids or polyps
• Thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism
• Endometriosis
• Cervical or uterine cancer
• Vaginal and cervical infections

At North Atlanta Women’s Specialists, your doctor talks with you about the bleeding you’ve been experiencing and any other changes you’ve noticed. 

Then, they use diagnostic tools — like a pelvic exam, ultrasound, or colposcopy — to identify what’s causing your bleeding. That way, they can apply treatment to the root cause, easing your bleeding and protecting your health. 

How is Abnormal Bleeding Treated?

It depends on the cause of the bleeding. Hormonal birth control can help moderate to heavy bleeding, but targeted treatment may be needed. 

For example, if uterine fibroids are causing the abnormal bleeding, your doctor can perform a myomectomy to remove the fibroids. If it’s endometriosis or menorrhagia, they can use various medical or surgical treatments to stop heavy periods from occurring. 

Your North Atlanta Women’s Specialists provider can also explore a minimally invasive hysterectomy. During this surgery, your surgeon removes your uterus, putting a permanent stop to your menstrual cycle. 

To find out what’s causing your abnormal bleeding and to explore treatment options, call North Atlanta Women’s Specialists, or request an appointment online today.