Anytime you’re dealing with heavy vaginal bleeding it’s important to contact your Houston Gynecologist. It doesn’t matter how old you are, because there are plenty of reasons why this can occur. The symptoms can be minor issues that are easily treated, but also serious ones that need more care.
We have plenty of answers here that can help you with the questions you’re asking today. What causes heavy vaginal bleeding and how can it be diagnosed? Are there treatments available? Here are some of the symptoms that revolve around heavy vaginal bleeding:
* Bleeding in between periods * Bleeding following sexual intercourse * Spotting at any point of your monthly cycle * Increased amounts of bleeding * Bleeding for longer than usual * Postmenopausal bleeding
When a menstrual cycle lasts longer than five weeks then there is an issue present. The same goes for a cycle that is fewer than three weeks. Plus, if you haven’t had a period in a few months it’s important to consult your Houston Gynecologist as well.
Older women can tell you that menstrual cycles come with different experiences as we age. In the beginning the time lines are inaccurate, and by the time you reach the age of 35 years old they will be a lot shorter. However, even women going through menopause can end up dealing with heavy vaginal bleeding.
There are plenty of ways to treat heavy vaginal bleeding, but you will have to figure out what is best for you. Your doctor can help you along the way, and the options will be based on how old you are now. These can revolve around hormonal imbalances because of an abnormal thyroid, but there are several other reasons. Here are eight different problems that can create heavy vaginal bleeding:
* Pregnancy, miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies * Contraception – particularly IUD (intrauterine device) methods * Cervical and/or uterine infection * Coagulation problems * Uterine fibroids * Uterine polyps * Cancer of the uterus, vagina or cervix * Diabetes, thyroid conditions and certain other chronic medical problems
Getting a diagnosis is very important if you’re experiencing heavy vaginal bleeding. Your Houston Gynecologist should know about past or present illnesses that you’ve been dealing with, as well as your family’s medical history. They will also ask about your lifestyle, diet, exercise, and even the amount of stress you endure throughout the week.
If you truly want to eliminate this issue then give your doctor as much information as possible. Using a calendar is your best course of action. You will be able to see when they start, stop, which ones are more extensive, how much bleeding you’re dealing with, and a host of other options to help you get a better understanding.
During this time you will probably be instructed to go through a physical exam, a pregnancy test, and anything else to help your heavy vaginal bleeding. You will have blood work done to check hormonal imbalances, and to see if there are any underlying diseases present. Some of the procedures you could end up experiencing are:
* Ultrasound- This provides an image of the pelvic organs by using sound waves through the body. * Endometrial biopsy- Examination done by removing sample tissue from the uterus with a thin tube. * Sonohysterography- Once fluid has been injected into the uterus an ultrasound is used to create images. * Hysteroscopy- Your physician will visually examine your uterus with an optical device through the vagina to the opening of the cervix. * Hysterosalpingography- An X-ray that is taken after dye has been injected to the uterus and fallopian tubes. * Dilation and Curettage- This is where small tissues from the samples are either scraped or sucked from the uterus lining and then examined. * Laparoscopy- Around the naval area a narrow optical device is inserted to examine the inside of the abdomen.
There are several things to consider when utilizing certain treatments for heavy vaginal bleeding. Three of the most common are; your age, whether or not you want to have children, and what is causing the actual bleeding. Here are a few options that can help:
* Medication- Prescribed meds are an option you could use like something for your hormones. * Surgery- There is a chance the only way to correct this is through the use of a small surgical operation. * Monitoring- Sometimes the best course of action is to do nothing at all, but monitoring how the first two options work if the heavy vaginal bleeding continues.
If you’re able to catch this problem early, your physician will prescribe medications. You will need to monitor how the body reacts and see if it’s responding to the medication. Also, if you’re pregnant you should tell your doctor as well, because they may need to take a different course of action.
Hormones are another area of interest your doctor will explain to you. This option can be extremely effective, and usually starts with a contraceptive pill. Then again; it can also be through a gradual release from a IUD device or with injection and creams.
Progesterone is another option, which helps prevent endometrial hyperplasia (thickening of the uterus lining). You may also need anti-inflammatories to help relieve some of the pain you’re enduring because of the heavy vaginal bleeding. Anytime an infection is present your Houston Gynecologist will prescribe antibiotics.
Then there are surgical procedures that are suggested by gynecologists if nothing else is working. Maybe a hysteroscopy will be used to remove polyps and fibroids, but then again it a endometrial ablation could be required. The way it works is lasers are used to reduce or even eliminate your heavy vaginal bleeding, but it could leave you unable to have children.
The last resort revolves around a major hysterectomy surgery. This is where they will completely remove your womb and eliminate the periods all together. Unfortunately this will also eliminate your child bearing ability as well.
So if you’re experiencing heavy vaginal bleeding it is imperative that you consult your Houston Gynecologist. The earlier you get it diagnosed the easier it will be to treat it effectively. Also, if the problem comes back then you will have to speak with your doctor again.
Want to learn more about heavy vaginal bleeding, then visit Lisa P. Otey, MD’s website on how this Houston Gynecologist can help slow the flow!