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Last Updated: Jan 10, 2023
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Causes of Excessive Uterine Bleeding and Treatments

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Dr. Pradeep P GohelGynaecologist • 31 Years Exp.MBBS, MD - Obstetrtics & Gynaecology
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Are you experiencing excessive uterine bleeding? Excessive uterine bleeding may occur between a woman’s periods or before the periods, after having sex, or due to the development of spotting or bleeding after attaining menopause. Any menstrual cycle, which lasts longer than 21–35 days is called excessive, and this is an abnormal form of uterine bleeding.

Causes of Excessive Uterine Bleeding:

The various causes of excessive uterine bleeding are as follows:

  1. One of the main causes is hormonal imbalance, as the balance between estrogen and progesterone gets disrupted. This balance is required for the regulation and development of the lining of endometrium or uterus lining. Because of the hormonal imbalance, the endometrium develops excessively causing heavy bleeding.

  2. Uterine fibroids, which are non cancerous tumours, may lead to prolonged and excessive uterine bleeding.

  3. Polyps are small benign developments on the uterus lining which cause heavy bleeding. They occur because of high levels of hormones.

  4. Adenomyosis is a condition which develops when the endometrium glands get embedded in the uterine muscle, leading to excessive uterine bleeding.

  5. Using intrauterine devices or IUDs may cause side effects as well.

  6. Several pregnancy complications may also lead to excess bleeding. Ectopic pregnancy is a common cause.

  7. Several uterine cancers, ovarian cancers and cervical conditions may be responsible as well. Inherited bleeding disorders such as von Willebrand’s disease is another likely cause.

  8. Several medicines and drugs, including NSAIDs and anticoagulants are a common cause.

  9. Medical conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, liver and kidney disease or thyroid problems can also cause excessive uterine bleeding.

Treatment:

There are different ways of treating excessive uterine bleeding, depending upon the cause of bleeding and the patient’s age.

  1. Medications: Several medicines are used for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding. Hormonal medicines and birth control pills are used to improve the regularity of periods. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also used to manage excessive uterine bleeding. Several antibiotics are also used.

  2. Surgery: In many cases, a woman has to undergo a surgery for the removal of polyps and fibroids, which cause excessive bleeding. Certain fibroids are removed via hysteroscopy and other techniques for treatment are used as well. Endometrial ablation can be carried out to manage the bleeding. This treatment aims at permanent reduction of the excess bleeding. Hysterectomy has to be carried out when other treatments are unsuccessful. This is a serious surgery and after it, a woman will no longer have periods, and she will not be able to conceive a child.

In case of excessive uterine bleeding, you must consult a doctor as soon as possible. This will enable early treatment and prevent the development of further complications. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a gynaecologist.

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