Irregular Bleeding

If you have heavy, long-lasting, or frustratingly unpredictable periods, it’s time to schedule an irregular bleeding evaluation. At NY Midtown OB/GYN, with boutique-style offices in midtown Manhattan in New York City and Mamaroneck in Westchester County, New York, the team of leading OB/GYN providers offers evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of irregular bleeding of all types. Book your appointment online or call the office in your area for help today. 

What is irregular bleeding?

Irregular, or abnormal, bleeding falls outside the borders of a typical menstrual cycle. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) classifies the following situations as irregular bleeding. 

• Heavy bleeding, requiring tampon or pad changes every hour or more often
• Heavy bleeding continuing more than a week
• Bleeding between periods
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Bleeding after menopause
• Menstrual cycles longer than 35 days
• Menstrual cycles shorter than 21 days
• Unpredictable periods in which cycle length varies by longer than 7-9 days
• No period for three to six months, with no known cause

Every woman’s menstrual cycle is unique, and it’s not unusual to have minor variations sometimes. But, irregular bleeding is more than a minor change: it can significantly impact your life or become debilitating if not addressed.

So, if you’re experiencing any of the issues above, it’s time to schedule an irregular bleeding evaluation at NY Midtown OB/GYN to find the source of your problems.

What causes irregular bleeding?

Irregular bleeding has many possible causes, including:

• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids or polyps
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Hypothyroidism
• Menopause
• Hormonal birth control
• Endometrial cancer
• Miscarriage
• Pregnancy 

Several causes often contribute to irregular bleeding. 

How is the cause of irregular bleeding diagnosed?

The NY Midtown OB/GYN team asks about your symptoms and checks your full medical history, focusing particularly on past gynecology issues. It helps the team make a diagnosis if you keep track of your menstrual cycles, bleeding, and related symptoms for at least a few weeks beforehand. 

You may need a procedure like a hysteroscopy, in which the team examines the inside of your uterus using a miniature fiber-optic camera. This can help detect polyps, fibroids, and other issues that cause irregular bleeding.

How is irregular bleeding treated?

Treatment of irregular bleeding is customized based on its cause. Hormone regulation —usually in the form of birth control pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), or other contraceptive devices —

can be highly effective in regulating your periods, reducing heavy bleeding, and easing discomfort. Many patients use birth control for this reason versus contraception reasons.

Other options for regulating periods and easing disruptive bleeding include surgical procedures to remove the uterine lining or eliminate fibroids.

You don’t have to live with painful, heavy bleeding. Call NY Midtown OB/GYN or click the online scheduler to book your appointment today.