When Should You Worry About Abnormal Bleeding?

Abnormal vaginal bleeding can be upsetting. However, it’s actually very common and, in many cases, benign. Still, some abnormal bleeding can be a sign of a serious underlying problem. In those instances, early treatment can help prevent major complications.

At Feminine Urgicare, our team evaluates abnormal bleeding using physical exams, lab testing, and other techniques to determine the cause. In this post, learn why abnormal bleeding happens and how we treat it.

How to tell when bleeding is abnormal

Most women are very familiar with vaginal bleeding, thanks to their monthly menstrual cycle. Your period happens when the tissue lining your uterus thickens and sheds as a result of your natural hormone cycle.

Most women have their periods every 24-38 days, with an average cycle of about 28 days. Once your period begins, it typically lasts about 3-7 days.

Vaginal bleeding within these limits is considered normal. However, if you have longer or shorter periods or your cycle deviates from the norm, that’s abnormal. Even if your cycle falls within those ranges, it should be evaluated if it changes a lot from one month to the next.

Outside of your menstrual cycle, other types of abnormal bleeding can occur. That includes bleeding between periods, bleeding or spotting during or after sex, or very heavy or very light periods.

Women with any type of vaginal bleeding during menopause also need to schedule a visit right away, as do women in childbearing years who miss three consecutive periods.

Why abnormal bleeding happens

Hormones — specifically, estrogen and progesterone — play key roles in regulating your menstrual cycle. Many types of abnormal bleeding occur when levels of these hormones are disrupted.

In fact, abnormal bleeding is a common problem for women in the years prior to menopause — a period known as perimenopause. During perimenopause, women may have spotting between periods, unpredictable cycles, and extremely heavy blood flow.

Although these symptoms are common during perimenopause, heavy bleeding can lead to anemia, and the unpredictability of your cycle can interfere with daily activities — even sleep.

Other potential causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding include:

Some types of contraception
Hormone-related medical conditions, like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Ectopic pregnancy
Uterine fibroids
Ovarian cysts
Endometriosis
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Benign tumors
Cancer

Significant weight loss and extreme exercise can also lead to hormonal fluctuations that can alter your menstrual cycle.

Treating abnormal bleeding

The first step in treating abnormal bleeding is diagnosing its cause. Our team reviews your symptoms and medical history, performs a pelvic exam, orders lab tests, and uses diagnostic imaging to pinpoint the cause so your therapy can be tailored to your needs.

Depending on the cause of your bleeding, your treatment plan may include:

Change in birth control method
Hormone therapy
Lifestyle changes
Minimally-invasive procedures

Afterward, we may order additional lab work and follow-up exams to monitor your health and the effectiveness of your therapy.

Learn the cause of abnormal bleeding

Although abnormal bleeding is often due to benign causes, some types are associated with serious medical problems — and that’s why it should always be medically evaluated.

To discover what’s causing your abnormal bleeding, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Feminine Urgicare in Paramus and Clifton, New Jersey.