Menstrual Disorders |
What is an abnormal menstrual period?
- Excessive bleeding - soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for 2 or more consecutive hours.
- Prolonged bleeding - a period that lasts longer than 7 days (avoid aspirin products as they prolong bleeding; ibuprofen is more effective for controlling cramps)
- Irregular cycle - periods that happen more often than every 21 days or longer than 35 days between periods.
- Bleeding or spotting between periods.
Some of the causes may be: - Pregnancy
- Endometrial hyperplasia (when the uterine lining becomes thick)
- Endometrial polyps
- Uterine fibroids
- Abnormal thyroid or pituitary function
- Use of an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control
- Hormonal changes, such as peri-menopause
- Changes in birth control pills or estrogens that you take
- Use of certain drugs like steroids or blood thinners
- Recent trauma, surgery, or other uterine procedure
- Pelvic inflammatory disease or other infection
- Stress, change in diet or exercise routine, recent weight loss or weight gain, travel, or illness
If you experience abnormal periods, keep a log of your cycles noting how many pads or tampons are used, how often and the amount of saturation. This will help your provider determine if testing is necessary. |
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