Irregular bleeding is a very common reason for patients to seek care from a gynecologist. A regular menstrual cycle is approximately 28 days in length. Those women with menstruation less than every 21 days and greater than every 35 days should be evaluated. Causes of menstrual irregularity can be related to thyroid disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or even contraception. Management must be tailored to the cause of the irregular bleeding.
Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods are the most common type of abnormal bleeding from the uterus. Periods are considered heavy if there is enough blood to soak a pad or tampon every hour for several consecutive hours. Other symptoms include night time bleeding that requires awaking to change pads or tampons, passing large clots, or significant anemia. Causes of heavy bleeding range from hormones to fibroids, polyps, and changes in the health of the uterine lining. Treatments vary based on the cause of the abnormality.
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue of the uterine lining is found in places outside of the uterine cavity. Symptoms of endometriosis include: pain before and with menses, pain with bowel movements, pain with sex, and infertility. Symptoms can range from very minimal to very severe. Diagnosis is usually made with a combination of a physical exam and patient symptoms. To confirm this diagnosis, a doctor may have to look inside your body with a surgical procedure called laparoscopy. We have experience in diagnosing and providing effective treatment for this common disorder.