You expect to bleed during your monthly period. However, vaginal bleeding may occur beyond this time for a variety of reasons, from hormones to physical trauma.
Should you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, or other woman’s health issues, our knowledgeable team at Pflugerville OBGYN offers gynecological care, hormone management, and more at our office in Pflugerville, Texas.
Irregular bleeding outside of menstruation is caused by a variety of factors, including:
You may experience problems with blood clotting due to hemophilia, low blood cell count, Vitamin K deficiency, or as a side effect of blood thinners or other medications.
Regular menstrual cycles can be affected by an underactive (hypothyroid) or overactive (hyperthyroid) thyroid gland.
A woman may develop non-cancerous growths inside their uterus that can trigger bleeding.
PCOS causes small cysts full of fluid-filled immature eggs to develop along the edges of your ovaries. This may lead to irregular periods with too little or excessive bleeding.
Reproductive system cancers include the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and endometrium lining of your uterus. According to the National Cancer Institute, around 90% of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer, for instance, noticed bleeding beforehand. This type of cancer is often curable, especially when caught early on. If you’re considering hormone therapy, your doctor also assesses your potential cancer risk.
If you’re experiencing excessive bleeding, our doctor takes your medical history before examining you. They may also perform specific tests, including:
Depending upon our findings, our doctor may order additional studies to determine the cause of your vaginal bleeding.
Once we find the cause of your bleeding, we offer a range of solutions, such as medicine to control the flow and procedures, including:
Your doctor may also insert a small device, known as a hormonal IUD, into your uterus that releases progestin to reduce bleeding. Since it also acts as birth control, it should only be used by those not trying to conceive.
In addition to medical reasons, additional problems may contribute to your bleeding, such as:
While you can’t avoid stress, we suggest ways to lessen it, from meditation to regular exercise.
We treat your whole body, not just your symptoms. Your diet is a great place to start. Certain foods, such as yogurt, pickles, kombucha, and kimchi, for instance, contain probiotics that help stabilize your vaginal PH. Prebiotics, including bananas, garlic, and oats, may also improve your overall health.
Unexplained weight loss may indicate uterine cancer. On the other hand, a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher causes inflammation in the uterus and beyond, which may contribute to heavier menstrual bleeding.
Two out of three women experience excessive menstrual bleeding when taking blood thinners.
Your doctor evaluates the potential causes of your abnormal bleeding to help you find healthier alternatives whenever possible.
Whether excessive vaginal bleeding is due to hormonal levels from perimenopause, uterine fibroids, or stress, we help you get to the bottom of it. Simply request an appointment at Pflugerville OBGYN in Pflugerville, Texas, and rest assured, help is on the way.
