Our Services / Abnormal Bleeding

Abnormal bleeding can refer to long periods, irregular periods, spotting between periods, and other menstrual cycle differences. At Nova Women’s Health in North Reading, Massachusetts, experienced board-certified OB/GYN Anju Nayar, MD, FACOG, provides women’s health care focused on your needs. If abnormal bleeding affects your daily life, reach out to the office by phone or click the online booking feature now. 

What qualifies as abnormal bleeding?

Abnormal bleeding is a blanket term that covers many menstrual irregularities, including: 

• Bleeding outside of your periods
• Bleeding after sex
• Periods longer than seven days
• Soaking one (or more) tampon or pad per hour during your periods
• Bleeding after menopause
• Menstrual cycle longer than 35 days
• Menstrual cycle shorter than 21 days
• Menstrual cycle length that varies by a week or more
• Having no period for three to six months (outside of known causes)

Menstrual cycles last 21-35 days on average, while menstrual periods last anywhere from a few days to a week. Many women experience abnormal bleeding at some point in their lives.

How do you find the cause of abnormal bleeding?

There are many different reasons for abnormal bleeding, with a few common causes including adenomyosis, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, and copper intrauterine devices (IUDs). 

Nova Women’s Health can diagnose the cause of abnormal bleeding in several ways. If possible, track your menstrual cycle ahead of your appointment. Note the amount of bleeding, when it happens, and when it stops using a smartphone app or an old-fashioned pen and paper. 

You may need tests such as ultrasound, hysteroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a computed tomography (CT) scan. Some women need a laparoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that can diagnose and often treat problems like endometriosis and fibroids.

What is the most effective treatment for abnormal bleeding? 

Because abnormal bleeding differs for every woman, treatment varies from medication to surgery. 

Medication

Medications that are often used to manage abnormal bleeding include:

• Birth control pills (to normalize the menstrual cycle)
• Hormone replacement therapy (during perimenopause)
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists (to shrink fibroids)
• Tranexamic acid (to reduce heavy bleeding)

Surgery

Laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery can treat many causes of abnormal bleeding, with common laparoscopic surgeries including hysterectomy, removal of endometrial adhesions, and fibroid removal. This minimally invasive approach uses tiny incisions and is often a same-day surgery with a much faster recovery than traditional surgery. 

No matter what caused your abnormal bleeding, many treatments can help you get back to a regular cycle and comfortable life. To get help for abnormal bleeding from top-rated experts, call Nova Women’s Health or book your appointment online today.