Abnormal Bleeding

Abnormal bleeding is irregular bleeding from your uterus that lasts longer or is heavier than your usual periods. Bleeding in between periods would also be considered unusual.

Many conditions can cause abnormal bleeding. Sometimes, it's because of changes in your hormone levels. Or it could be due to a growth in your uterus or blood clotting problems. Sometimes, the cause of abnormal bleeding is hard to determine.

If you start bleeding during pregnancy, that's a different problem. You should contact your obstetrics provider at Dekalb Women's Specialists immediately if you're pregnant and have any amount of vaginal bleeding.

woman talking to her obgyn about abnormal bleeding

When to Visit Your Gynecologist

You can identify clinically abnormal bleeding if it fits certain criteria. For instance:

  • Periods typically last for 4 - 6 days, so if yours is lasting 7 days or more, that's a sign of abnormality.
  • An adult woman's menstrual cycle should occur every 21 - 35 days – that’s a period every 3 to 5 weeks. For a teen girl, she should have a period every 3 to 6 weeks, on average. If your cycle is taking longer than 35 days (for women) or 45 days (for teens), or if you're menstruating more often than every 3 weeks, you can consider your bleeding to be abnormal.
  • A third abnormality is bleeding heavily when you have a period. If your normal sanitary pads or tampons soak through in an hour, and this continues for two hours or more, that qualifies as heavy bleeding.

Treatment for Abnormal Bleeding

What is causing abnormal bleeding will help determine the treatment our team recommends. Possible treatments for abnormal bleeding include:

Hormone Treatment

Using birth control pills can often reduce abnormal bleeding, regulate your menstrual cycle, and reduce the discomfort and cramping caused by abnormal bleeding. Your provider might prescribe a progestin-only pill or a combined pill that contains both progestin and estrogen.

Alternatively, you could use a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD). This is a form of long-term birth control that releases a progesterone-like hormone into your uterus.

Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure to remove uterine fibroids or polyps that may be causing your abnormal bleeding. This procedure is done using a thin lighted scope inserted through the vagina and cervix and into your uterus.

Endometrial Ablation

Endometrial ablation involves removing the lining of your uterus, called the endometrium. This is an effective way to reduce abnormal bleeding. However, this treatment is only recommended for women who have completed their families, because it will decrease the likelihood of you getting pregnant in the future and increase the likelihood of complications should pregnancy occur.

Hysterectomy

Severe, long-term bleeding that doesn't respond to any other treatment might require a hysterectomy to remove the uterus. This stops bleeding altogether, but you will no longer be able to have children.

Abnormal Bleeding Help in Decatur, Stonecrest & Stone Mountain, GA

If you're experiencing heavier periods than usual or the frequency of your menstruation changes, chances are there is nothing seriously amiss. However, a checkup at Dekalb Women's Specialists can help you be sure and offer peace of mind.

Call Dekalb Women’s Specialists at (404) 508-2000 today to schedule your visit or request your appointment now. We have three convenient locations in Decatur, Stonecrest, and Stone Mountain, Georgia. We look forward to helping you find the OB-GYN solution that’s right for you.