Almost everyone knows a woman who can set her clock based on the regularity of her periods. But for many women, monthly bleeding isn’t regular. But periods can differ dramatically and still be considered “normal,” making it difficult to know what’s abnormal.
At Yakov Levy MD PC, with offices in Midtown East, Manhattan, and Forest Hills, Queens, Dr. Yakov Levy and our team offer a full line of services to help women struggling with abnormal bleeding. We also understand that determining whether your bleeding is normal isn’t always easy.
Abnormal bleeding is a sign that something’s not quite right. Here, we explain how to tell when bleeding is abnormal and why you should never ignore it.
Although it can sometimes be difficult to know if your periods are abnormal, there are important signs. If your bleeding lasts longer than a week, your cycle is shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days, or if you don’t menstruate for more than three months, you have an irregular period and should schedule a visit with Dr. Levy.
You also should seek medical advice promptly if you experience abnormally heavy bleeding. Symptoms include:
You also should make an appointment with your doctor if you have severe menstrual cramps that prevent you from carrying out your daily activities or if you experience bleeding between periods.
Abnormal bleeding may be caused by one of any number of conditions or by a combination of conditions. Some of the most common causes of abnormal bleeding include:
Because abnormal bleeding is usually caused by an underlying condition, leaving it untreated may mean that the problem gets worse. In some cases, ignoring the problem may even lead to life-altering complications, such as fertility issues or debilitating pain.
You don’t have to live with abnormal bleeding. Dr. Levy offers different treatment methods depending on what’s causing your bleeding as well as on the severity of your symptoms.
Some women benefit from hormonal management through birth control pills or IUDs. Other women have more success from minimally invasive treatment options such as:
It’s important to seek medical care sooner rather than later for a faster diagnosis and more effective treatment.
The right treatment for your abnormal bleeding depends on the root cause. Dr. Levy evaluates your symptoms, reviews your medical and family history, and conducts a physical exam to uncover the issue or issues contributing to your abnormal bleeding. He may also conduct an endometrial biopsy.
Once the cause is diagnosed, Dr. Levy can effectively treat the problem to eliminate or reduce your abnormal bleeding and help prevent further complications, like fertility issues, from developing. The sooner your abnormal bleeding is evaluated, the sooner treatment can begin.
If you have abnormal bleeding, don’t wait to schedule an evaluation. Call the office nearest you, or schedule an appointment online. Yakov Levy MD PC also offers telehealth appointments so you can meet with us from the comfort of your home.
