Abnormal menstrual bleeding can vary and be caused by hormonal imbalances, stress, medication, or reproductive system issues. It can result in heavy bleeding (menorrhagia), light bleeding (hypomenorrhea), bleeding between periods (metrorrhagia), or frequent periods (polymenorrhea). Women should see a gynecologist for examination and treatment.
Abnormal menstrual bleeding occurs when a woman experiences an abnormal type of bleeding during her menstrual cycle. Typically, no two women will experience the same type of menstrual cycle. For this reason, abnormal menstrual bleeding is different for every woman who experiences it. There are many different types of abnormal bleeding that can occur during menstruation. It is not uncommon for a woman to have one or more types of abnormal bleeding at some point in her life.
The causes of abnormal menstrual bleeding can vary. The normal blood flow of a menstrual cycle can be disrupted due to a hormonal imbalance. Sometimes, stress can cause a woman to have abnormal periods. Some medications can cause this too. Birth control is one of the most common types of medications that can alter normal bleeding during the menstrual period.
If a woman has abnormal menstrual bleeding, it can mean that she is bleeding very heavily. Excessively heavy menstrual bleeding is known as menorrhagia. Women with this type of abnormal cycle may lose so much blood during their periods that they develop anemia. This is a condition that occurs due to a shortage of normal red blood cells. Uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and endometrial polyps can also cause menorrhagia.
For some individuals, especially light menstrual bleeding is abnormal. This type of abnormal bleeding is called hypomenorrhea. Women with hypomenorrhea may find it difficult to tell when their period is due to very light blood flow. In many cases, various types of contraceptives can cause hypomenorrhea in a woman.
Metrorrhagia can be another type of abnormal menstrual bleeding. If a woman has bleeding, she may bleed between her menstrual periods. Bleeding usually occurs at intervals other than those common to normal menstrual bleeding. This menstrual irregularity can mean a minor or major problem in the reproductive system. Metrorrhagia can mean the presence of an abnormal growth, cyst, benign or malignant tumor.
Abnormal menstrual bleeding can also mean having periods too often. Polymenorrhea is the name of very frequent periods. Women with polymenorrhea may menstruate every 21 days or sooner. This can be caused by a malfunction of the pituitary gland. For example, overactive glands can cause you to ovulate more often than normal.
Women with abnormal menstrual bleeding should be examined by a gynecologist. Your doctor will usually perform a comprehensive exam, including a Pap smear and pelvic exam. He or she may also run blood tests. Once the exact cause of the abnormal bleeding has been found, treatment measures can be planned to correct the abnormality.
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