5 Potential Causes of Abnormal Bleeding
Abnormal bleeding has a variety of symptoms from longer and heavier periods to irregular timing. Read on to learn more about possible causes.
Almost 10 million women of childbearing age in the United States experience menstrual periods that include heavy bleeding, cramps, and pain severe enough to impact their daily lives. Symptoms go beyond those of regular cycles and they’re often enough to interfere with school, work, or other tasks and obligations.
The disruptive effect of heavy periods can require medical treatment to restore some semblance of regular living. Dr. Thomas Hatchett and the team at Habersham OBGYN are well-versed in the symptoms and causes of abnormal bleeding, and they may assess you as a candidate for endometrial ablation, a treatment technique that can help you get past the problems arising from your heavy periods.
Endometrial ablation has one function — to control heavy bleeding. But there are many roads that lead to heavy bleeding, medically called menorrhagia. Though no two women are alike, and what you consider a heavy period may differ from another, the following are the typical hallmarks of the condition:
Ongoing heavy bleeding is usually a symptom of an underlying problem, including:
Endometriosis is perhaps the most common cause of menorrhagia, while cancer is the rarest. The best way to find out what lies behind your heavy bleeding is to undergo a thorough evaluation by one of our top-notch women’s care providers.
Endometrial ablation removes the outermost layer of tissue inside your uterus, called the endometrium. This procedure is typically chosen after more conservative efforts like hormonal control fail to stop heavy bleeding.
The procedure is usually done in our office under IV sedation. Most patients are able to return to work the following day.
Removing this tissue from the endometrium significantly reduces menstrual flow, restoring your cycles to normal levels. Some patients report that they no longer have periods after an ablation.
Endometrial ablation is not suitable if you’re planning to have another child, since the procedure typically prevents you from becoming pregnant. Your endometrium is designed to receive and nourish a fertilized egg, so by removing it, your chances of getting pregnant are slim.
There’s still a small chance you may get pregnant, which can be problematic. It’s for this reason that we recommend that you continue some sort of birth control after your endometrial ablation.
The bottom line is that an endometrial ablation can help you find much-needed relief from heavy bleeding, but the procedure isn’t for everyone.
The best way to understand your options is to sit down with Dr. Hatchett for a review of your medical history and a physical examination. You can discuss your goals and together, you can determine the ideal plan for your unique situation.
Contact Habersham OBGYN by phone or through their online booking service located on this page. Put an end to heavy, painful periods. Call today.
