Heavy or unusual bleeding through the vagina, experienced by women during or in-between the regular periods is called abnormal uterine bleeding. The bleeding is termed abnormal because it is usually irregular, heavier and is usually caused by hormonal or structural abnormalities of the female reproductive system.
Abnormal uterine bleeding is more commonly diagnosed at the beginning of the reproductive cycle and at the end of it in older women. At our clinic in Mumbai, 20% of the AUB cases occur in adolescent girls, more than 50% are occur in women above age 40. Following are the situations when the uterine bleeding is considered abnormal:
Bleeding between the normal periods.
- Spotting or bleeding after intercourse.
- Bleeding that happens after menopause.
- Irregular cycles which vary by more than 8-9 days.
- Abnormally heavy bleeding during your regular period.
- Bleeding while your menstrual cycles happen to be shorter than 24 and longer than 38 days.
Causes of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding:
There is no one single cause for abnormal uterine bleeding experienced by women. Following some of the causes of abnormal uterine bleeding experienced by women:
- Structural abnormalities like polyps, fibroids, and adenomyosis.
- Early pregnancy, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancies.
- Lesions of cervix, infections or scar tissues of endometriosis.
- Medical problems, medications or hormonal abnormalities.
In addition to the above, uterine bleeding commonly occurs due to hormonal changes that occur in women who are going through their menopause. The shift in the hormone balance can thicken the lining of the uterus resulting in heavy bleeding in women during their menopause. So women in menopause are advised to consult a gynaecologist for abnormal uterine bleeding treatment as soon as they experience heavy bleeding, to be on the safe side.
How is Abnormal Uterine Bleeding treated?
After making sure that the vaginal bleeding is not associated with pregnancy or miscarriage, the gynaecologist performs a series of tests which include a pelvic exam, blood test, urine test, blood tests, an ultrasound, and other regular tests to check for other causes of the bleeding.
In case the women are diagnosed with abnormal uterine bleeding, gynaecologists tailor the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding to its specific cause. If a structural abnormality like scar, polyp, and fibroid is the cause of bleeding, the abnormality can be corrected using hysteroscopy where surgical tools are passed on through tiny holes to clear the respective abnormality. Patients can resort to their regular routine 24 hours after the procedure. In the case of bleeding caused by hormone problems, oral hormone pills are prescribed to bring your reproductive system into order. Procedures like hysterectomy are also performed in rare cases when other treatment options do not work.
Is your irregular bleeding causing you problems? Are you seeking treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding problems? Don’t worry, Dr. Neelima Mantri is the best female gynaecologist in Mumbai who can help you get rid of your bleeding problems. In case you live in and around Mumbai you can contact Dr. Neelima Mantri here @Call +91 7045115577
