Menstrual bleeding...

Abnormal Menstrual Bleeding: A normal menstrual cycle pattern can range anywhere from 21 to 35 days and a normal menstrual period of bleeding can last from 2 to 7 days. Anytime that bleeding occurs which cannot be called a part of this regular cycle it is called abnormal menstrual bleeding. If periods are suddenly either longer or heavier than your normal, if bleeding occurs between two periods in the cycle, if the time gap between periods is either longer or much shorter than normal, it can be called abnormal. Similarly, there may be a total absence of periods, or a skipping of one or more.

Abnormal menstrual bleeding can have various causes, but the most common cause usually is hormone imbalances in the woman’s body. This generally happens at the beginning, or towards the end of her menstrual life. Other reasons for a hormone imbalance may be pregnancy, (in fact, bleeding in the implantation period is not unusual) sudden gain or loss of weight; unusually heavy exercise, extra stress, long illness, or even certain kinds of medications.

There are many other causes of prolonged abnormal menstrual bleeding as well, including cervical or uterine polyps, fibroids, birth control pill side effects, hormone therapy, too thick or too thin uterine lining, and cancer. Treatment used to stop this would be based on many the cause, patient’s age, severity of bleeding, and so on, and include use of birth control pills or hormones, removal of polyps or fibroids, and, in extreme cases, hysterectomy.

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: When your life seems to grind to a halt during every period, due to heavy menstrual bleeding or a period that lasts too long it might be advisable to ask your doctor about it. Too much menstrual bleeding can be much more than an irritant and an inconvenience. It is, in fact, an important health issue for women. As many as one in five women bleed heavily enough during periods to put their normal lives on hold and almost debilitate them. This condition is called menorrhagia, and includes both heavy menstrual bleeding and longer-than-seven-day periods. Although there can be many causes for heavy bleeding, and it can occur at any age, it is generally commoner among women over 35 due to a hormone level shift in the perimenopausal phase.

Excessive Menstrual Bleeding: Excessive menstrual bleeding is the most common cause of iron deficiency in women, anemia and, in extreme cases, can lead to hospitalization, with or without blood transfusions. If you are suffering from Excessive menstrual bleeding, don’t just ignore it. Ask your health care professional for advice. The doctor can conduct various tests to pinpoint the underlying problem. This can be a range of things from fibroids, an infection, to endometriosis, or uterine cancer in extreme cases. Ask your doctor how to stop heavy bleeding. There are many modes of treatment available, ranging from over-the-counter medication, to oral contraceptives and minor surgery, to hysterectomy in rare cases.

Irregular Menstrual Bleeding: Millions of women have irregular periods. In some cases, the irregular menstrual bleeding is amenorrhea, or an absence of menstruation. For other women it can be dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation. Irregular menstrual periods are generally classified as those periods that occur at unusual or unexpected times, sooner than 21 days, or later than 35 days. A pattern of irregular menstrual bleeding may indicate ovulation problems which may be a factor inducing infertility. An Irregular cycle may also mean hormonal release inconsistency and can lead to mood swings and pain. Irregular cycles may also be related to cramping and heavy bleeding.