Women often experience irregular menstrual bleeding. This can include skipped menstrual cycles, bleeding between cycles and heavy bleeding during the normal menstrual cycle. Women who have had consistently regular periods are often concerned when their cycle becomes abnormal. A singular irregular period is rarely a cause for alarm. However, women who repeatedly experience irregular menstrual bleeding should undergo a further medical evaluation to seek out the underlying cause.
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths on the uterus, occurring most often in women of childbearing age. Uterine fibroids are caused by a single cell from the uterine lining reproducing repeatedly until eventually creating a firm, rubbery mass or fibroid. Fibroids can range in size from undetectable to bulky masses big enough to distort the abdomen. According to the MayoClinic.com, as many as three out of four women will experience uterine fibroids at some point in their lives. Most fibroids show no symptoms. However, when women do experience symptoms they can include heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged menstrual periods, spotting or bleeding between periods, pelvic pressure or pain, frequent urination, difficulty emptying the bladder, constipation, backache or leg pains. Uterine fibroids often require no treatment. Physicians may use medications to regulate a woman's cycle and help alleviate symptoms. In some cases, physicians may remove the fibroids surgically. In rare cases a removal of the entire uterus may be necessary.
Uterine Cancer
Uterine, or endometrial, cancer occurs in the lining of the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus, according to the National Institutes of Health. Uterine cancer occurs most commonly after menopause, although obesity and hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of developing the disease. Symptoms of uterine cancer include unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, trouble urinating, pelvic pain and pain during intercourse. Diagnosis of uterine cancer often involves a pap smear, an ultrasound to view the uterus and a biopsy to collect a sample of the uterine cells to examine for cancer. Treatment for uterine cancer requires surgical removal of the uterus as well as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone replacement therapy.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that occurs because of an imbalance of hormones. PCOS happens when women produce an excess of a male hormone known as androgen. Too much androgen prevents ovulation. When ovulation fails to occur, the egg fails to release or the follicle surrounding the egg fails to dissolve, instead creating fluid-filled cysts. Women with PCOS experience irregular or absent menstruation, infertility, excessive body or facial hair and tend to produce too much insulin leading to weight gain. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend daily exercise to help the body process insulin properly and eating a diet rich in whole grain, lean proteins and fruits and vegetables. Physicians may also prescribe birth control pills to increase the hormone progesterone as well as a diabetes medication metformin to help the body process insulin more efficiently.
