Things to Know About Irregular Periods-NORMAL MENSTRUAL CYCLE

The normal length of the menstrual cycle is typically between 24 days and 38 days. A normal menstrual period generally lasts up to 8 days.

When is bleeding abnormal?

Abnormal uterine bleeding is any heavy or unusual bleeding from the uterus (through your vagina). It can occur at any time during your monthly cycle, including during your normal menstrual period.

Bleeding in any of the following situations is considered abnormal uterine bleeding:

·         Bleeding or spotting between periods

·         Bleeding or spotting after sex

·         Heavy bleeding during your period

·         Menstrual cycles that are longer than 38 days or shorter than 24 days

·         “Irregular” periods in which cycle length varies by more than 7–9 days

·         Bleeding after menopause

At what ages is abnormal bleeding more common?

Abnormal bleeding can occur at any age. However, at certain times in a woman’s life it is common for periods to be somewhat irregular. Periods may not occur regularly when a girl first starts having them (around age 9–14 years). During perimenopause (beginning in the mid–40s), the number of days between periods may change. It also is normal to skip periods or for bleeding to get lighter or heavier during perimenopause.

Women in their teens, 20s, and 30s

A common cause of abnormal bleeding in young women and teenagers is pregnancy. Many women have abnormal bleeding in the first few months of a normal pregnancy. Some birth control pills or the intrauterine device (IUD) can also cause abnormal bleeding.

Some young women who have abnormal uterine bleeding do not release an egg from their ovaries (called ovulation) during their menstrual cycle. This is common for teenagers who have just started getting their periods. This causes a hormone imbalance where the estrogen in your body makes the lining of your uterus (called the endometrium) grow until it gets too thick. When your body gets rid of this lining during your period, the bleeding will be very heavy. A hormone imbalance may also cause your body not to know when to shed the lining. This can cause irregular bleeding (“spotting”) between your periods.

Women in their 40s and early 50s

In the years before menopause and when menopause begins, women have months when they don’t ovulate. This can cause abnormal uterine bleeding, including heavy periods and lighter, irregular bleeding.

Thickening of the lining of the uterus is another cause of bleeding in women in their 40s and 50s. This thickening can be a warning of uterine cancer. If you have abnormal uterine bleeding and you’re in this age group, you need to tell your doctor about it. It may be a normal part of

getting older, but it’s important to make sure uterine cancer isn’t the cause.

Women after menopause

Hormone replacement therapy is a common cause of uterine bleeding after menopause. Other causes include endometrial and uterine cancer. These cancers are more common in older women than in younger women. But cancer is not always the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding. Many other problems can cause bleeding after menopause. For this reason, it’s important to talk to your doctor if you have any bleeding after menopause.

What causes abnormal bleeding?

Some of the causes of abnormal bleeding include the following:

1. ·         Problems with ovulation
2. ·         Fibroids and polyps
3. ·      A condition in which the endometrium grows into the wall of the uterus
4. ·         Bleeding disorders
5. ·   Problems linked to some birth control methods, such as an intrauterine device (IUD) or birth control pills
6. ·         Miscarriage
7. ·         Ectopic pregnancy
8. ·         Certain types of cancer, such as cancer of the uterus

Your obstetrician–gynecologist (ob-gyn) or other health care professional may start by checking for problems most common in your age group. Some of them are not serious and are easy to treat. Others can be more serious. All should be checked.

Symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding

Vaginal bleeding between periods is one symptom of abnormal uterine bleeding. Having extremely heavy bleeding during your period can also be considered abnormal uterine bleeding. Very heavy bleeding during a period and/or bleeding that lasts more than 7 days is called menorrhagia. For example, women may bleed enough to soak through 1 or more tampons or sanitary pads every hour.

How is abnormal bleeding diagnosed?

Your ob-gyn will ask about your health history and your menstrual cycle. It may be helpful to keep track of your menstrual cycle before your visit. Note the dates, length, and type (light, medium, heavy, or spotting) of your bleeding on a calendar. You also can use a Smartphone app designed to track menstrual cycles.

You will have a physical exam. You also may have blood tests. These tests check your blood count and hormone levels and rule out some diseases of the blood. You also may have a pregnancy test and tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The tests family gynae doctor orders may depend on your age. If you could be pregnant, your best female doctor may order a pregnancy test. If your bleeding is heavy, in addition to other tests, your best gynecologist doctor may want to check your blood count to make sure you don’t have a low blood count from the blood loss. This could lead to iron deficiency and anemia.

An ultrasound exam of your pelvic area shows both the uterus and the ovaries. It may also show the cause of your bleeding.

Best female doctor may want to do an endometrial biopsy. This is a test of the uterine lining. It’s done by putting a thin plastic tube (called a catheter) into your uterus. Your gyno doctor will use the catheter to remove a tiny piece of the uterine lining. He or she will send that lining to the lab for testing. The test will show if you have cancer or a change in the cells. A biopsy can be done in the doctor’s office and causes only mild pain. Another test is a hysteroscopy. A thin tube with a tiny camera in it is put into your uterus. The camera lets your doctor see the inside of your uterus. If anything abnormal shows up, your doctor can get a biopsy.

Can abnormal uterine bleeding be prevented or avoided?

If your abnormal uterine bleeding is caused by hormonal changes, you will not be able to prevent it. But if your hormonal changes are caused by being overweight, losing weight could help. Your weight affects your hormone production. Maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent abnormal uterine bleeding. Your best near doctor can do endometrial ablation in several different ways. Newer endometrial ablation techniques do not require general anesthesia or a hospital stay. The recovery time after this procedure is shorter than recovery time after a hysterectomy.

Questions to ask Best gynaecologist female doctor near you 

·      What is the likely cause of my abnormal uterine bleeding?

·   Is my condition serious? Am I at risk for any other health problems?

· Based on the cause, what treatment options do you recommend?

·       What are the risks and benefits of this treatment?

·   Will the treatment affect my chances of getting pregnant in the future?

         Dr. Suchi Gupta's Gynae Clinic 

(Gynaecologist in Gaur City, Greater Noida West, Noida Extension)

Shop No 130, FF, Gaur City Plaza Market, West, Gaur City 1 Rd, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301

     http://www.drsuchiguptagynaeclinic.com/