Many women suffer from abnormal uterine bleeding also known as abnormal periods. In fact, according to OB-GYN Montgomery County Dr. Rania Ibrahim, one-third of all women will experience abnormal periods at some point in their life.
An abnormal period is one in which there is an extreme amount of bleeding and/or a period that lasts for more than seven days. There are many causes, but the most common is benign tumors of the uterus (fibroids) and hormonal imbalances.
Your OB-GYN Montgomery County discusses treatment options.
Nonsurgical treatments: Many birth control methods will control bleeding; these include birth control pills, birth control shots and IUDs. These options are especially useful for women in their twenties and thirties who plan to become pregnant at a later time.
When to consider surgical treatments: Surgery should only be considered for women who are certain that they don’ want children. For patients who have tried medical treatments without success – or for those who do not want to be on long-term therapy – there are surgical options to consider. These surgeries are known as endometrial ablation and hysterectomy.
Endometrial ablation is a procedure during which your OB-GYN Montgomery County removes the uterine lining, which significantly reduces bleeding and period duration. This is a great surgical option for women who are done with childbearing.
For pre-menopausal women, the only way to eliminate bleeding entirely is via a hysterectomy to remove the uterus. After a hysterectomy the patient no longer has periods or suffers from cramps. Today’s hysterectomy are typically performed using a laparoscope, which is a long thin telescope that can be inserted into the abdomen for viewing the reproductive organs.
Contrary to common belief, the ovaries are not normally removed when the hysterectomy is being performed. If they are not removed, hormones remain the same and menopausal hot flashes do not start post-surgery.
Abnormal periods can be painful, but there are a number of solutions to reduce pain and bleeding. If you are experiencing abnormal periods, call the office of OB-GYN Montgomery County Dr. Rania Ibrahim today to schedule a confidential consultation.