How will the cause of my abnormal uterine bleeding be diagnosed?

Diagnosis begins with a discussion of your symptoms and a complete personal and family medical history, followed by a pelvic exam and Pap test as well as a general assessment of your overall health.

How is abnormal bleeding treated?

Depending on the cause, abnormal bleeding may be treated with medications to balance hormones including birth control pills and bioidentical hormones, treatment of underlying conditions such as thyroid disease, or minimally invasive procedures to remove fibroids, remove the lining of the uterus, manage endometriosis or treat other conditions.

Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding Specialist

Q: What is abnormal uterine bleeding?

Itis considered to be bleeding that occurs outside of the typical pattern of a normal menstrual cycle, which typically occurs about every 28 days and lasts for about five to seven days.

Q: What causes abnormal uterine bleeding?

Often, abnormal bleeding occurs as a result of hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause, the months and years preceding menopause, or the end of periods. Other times, abnormal bleeding may occur as a result of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, PCOS, miscarriage, pregnancy, thyroid disease, significant fluctuations in weight, prolonged strenuous physical activity, chronic stress, changes in birth control pills and breastfeeding.

Maiden Lane Medical

Gynecologists located in New York, NY

Has abnormal vaginal bleeding made your life somewhat uncomfortable and increased your stress? Are you among the many who wonder about how this condition will affect your fertility? If so, do not despair. There are several treatment options available to help you!

At Maiden Lane Medical, our experts use state-of-the-art technology to determine the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding in women, like yourself, throughout the New York City metro region. Doing so allows our practice to prescribe the most effective and customized treatment to help resolve symptoms and bring you relief!

“My doctor was very pleasant and easy to talk to. She was extremely knowledgeable and addressed all my issues and concerns. Very positive experience!”

Janice A.

What Is Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?

Abnormal bleeding, also called abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), is defined as bleeding from your uterus that occurs outside of the typical pattern of a normal menstrual cycle. The typical pattern for a normal menstrual cycle occurs about every 28 days and lasts for about five to seven days. Unlike some conditions, AUB has very distinguishable symptoms.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Symptoms

Symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding include:

Irregular bleeding
Very light periods
Very heavy menstrual bleeding
Spotting in between periods
Bleeding after intercourse
Unusually long menstrual periods (bleeding lasts more than 7 days)
An absence of your periods that is not caused by menopause

What Causes Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?

Abnormal uterine bleeding can have several causes, including stress and various medical conditions. The cause of AUB can include:

Pregnancy
Miscarriage
Breastfeeding
Endometriosis or adenomyosis
Structural issues with the uterus, such as uterine fibroids or uterine polyps
Thyroid disease
Hormone imbalance, such as Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Pelvic infections, including STI’s

Additional causes for abnormal bleeding could include:

Changes to diet/activity level
Significant fluctuations in your weight
Changes in your birth control pills
Recent medication use/vaccinations/blood thinners or anticoagulants
Cancer
Significant physical or mental stress
Recent illness

Many of these causes of AUB are transient and resolve on their own. However, if your AUB is significant, you are post-menopausal, you are concerned about your bleeding, or your bleeding is not resolving, it is important to see a trained gynecologist to review your symptoms.

Whom Does AUB Affect?

AUB particularly affects nonpregnant women who are still in their reproductive years and have bleeding.

How Is Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Diagnosed?

To make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor will first start by discussing your symptoms as well as your complete personal and family medical history. They may ask questions regarding your:

Pregnancy history
Birth control methods, including birth control pills or intrauterine devices (IUDs)
Past and present illnesses and/or surgical procedures
Any medications that you may be taking

Your doctor will perform a general assessment of your overall health. This may then be followed by a pelvic exam and Pap test.

Additionally, the following tests may also be prescribed:

An ultrasound to identify any growths or abnormal structures that may be causing your abnormal bleeding
Blood work to look for hormonal fluctuations and other issues, including a hormone panel
Pelvic exam with testing for bacteria
Pap test

If issues with the uterus are suspected, a hysteroscopy may be done. A hysteroscopy is a way for a doctor to look inside the uterus with a small camera in order to identify any problems within the cavity, take a biopsy, and potentially correct them at that time.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Treatment

There are several options available for treating abnormal uterine bleeding. Medications can be used to balance hormones, including birth control pills or other hormonally or non-hormonally active medications.

Your doctor may also recommend treating any underlying conditions that you may have, such as thyroid disease, to stop the abnormal bleeding. Your doctor may also recommend the following minimally invasive procedures:

A myomectomy—to remove fibroids
Endometrial ablation—to remove the uterine lining
Hysteroscopy—to manage structural problems within your uterus like scarring, small fibroids, polyps, or disordered endometrial lining
Uterine artery embolization (UAE)—treat uterine fibroid tumors

While having a hysterectomy is a common procedure, we counsel our patients to use other forms of treatment unless a hysterectomy is absolutely necessary. Our goal is to address the issue in the least invasive way possible for your specific situation; however, sometimes hysterectomies are necessary.

Be assured that at Maiden Lane Medical, we don’t dictate your treatment. Instead, we work with you to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific situation, as well as your desires.

When Is it Absolutely Vital to See a Doctor?

You should schedule an appointment immediately with your doctor if:

You have bleeding while you are pregnant
Your bleeding is heavy, prolonged, or not resolving
You are postmenopausal
A young girl who doesn’t have any other signs of puberty or is younger than age 8 and has bleeding

If you have abnormal uterine bleeding that is interfering with your quality of life, schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained and compassionate gynecologists and Maiden Lane Medical in Manhattan, NY. We know how unsettling this situation can be, so our goal is to relieve your discomfort while addressing your bleeding and keeping you safe.