What is abnormal Uterine Bleeding?

When you are drenched through enough sanitary protection products
or you need to change your sanitary napkin more than every one or two hours,
or having a period that lasts over seven days, you are probably experiencing abnormal Uterine Bleeding. Not all women experience heavy menstruation during their menstrual cycle. Usually this heavy bleeding occurs two or three years before menopause (The permanent cessation of menstrual cycles) or during the first few years after the beginning of menstruation during teenage years.

What Causes Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?

1. Abnormal uterine bleeding can be the cause of hormonal imbalance when our periods become irregular as our ovaries may or may not release an egg. This abnormal uterine bleeding is mostly experienced by youngsters on the start of menstruation, and in women who are approaching menopause.

2. One of the causes of abnormal uterine bleeding is fibroid tumors.

3. Another cause can be Women who use birth control pills also have abnormal uterine bleeding or prolonged periods.

4. Platelet disorders like Willebrand's disease are the most common blood disorder which causes excessive bleeding which is usually detected soon after menstruation begins,

5. Women who have von Willebrand's disease commonly will experience not only heavy menstrual bleeding, but nosebleeds, easy bruising, and blood in the stool.

6. Few other causes of abnormal bleeding are:-
     • Cervical or endometrial polyps
     • Endometrial cancer.
     • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
     • Cervical cancer
     • Lupus

Diagnosis of abnormal Uterine Bleeding

• Pelvic examination is the first step to verify the cause of abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
• Blood tests
• Pregnancy tests are being done.
• An ultrasound is performed to check for any abnormalities, such as fibroids .
•An endometrial biopsy, D&C, or hysteroscopy are also performed sometimes to further evaluate the condition of uterus.

Treatment of abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Abnormal bleeding is often successfully treated with progesterone or a combination of progesterone with estrogen when it is not related to any fundamental reason
This treatment with progesterone or a combination of progesterone with estrogen is many times given in the form of an oral contraceptive.

Women who experience menorrhagia (Abnormal bleeding) should be observed closely for anemia on a regular basis and treated with iron supplementation whenever necessary.
Severe bleeding is often treated with non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen . This drug helps in reducing the amount of blood flow as well as cramps.

Women who are not pregnant and experience heavy bleeding only once, require no medical treatment. Taking plenty of rest also reduces the amount of blood flow.
Women who experience heavy bleeding 24 hours a day should definitely without fail seek the guidance of doctor.

Surgery — Surgery may be necessary to remove structural lesions such as polyps or fibroids.
Finally to sum up abnormal uterine bleeding need to be taken proper care and should be consulted without delaying much.