Starting at puberty, women have menstrual periods roughly one week out of every month until menopause. For some women, menstrual bleeding can be extremely light. Other women have it so heavy that they have to take time off from work. Menstrual bleeding varies depending on a number of health and medical causes, and some changes have no cause at all.
Identification
A woman's menstrual cycle should range between 25 and 36 days, with three to seven days of bleeding, according to Merck. During this time, the typical blood loss is between .5 and 2.5 ounces. There may be blood clots that pass with the menstrual blood, and although this may be normal it is more typical in women who have heavy menstrual cycles.
Causes
The causes of abnormal bleeding in a menstrual cycle vary. Abnormal periods may be experienced by all women at some point or another in their reproductive years. It be caused by stress, impending menopause, birth control side-effects or miscarriage. However, there are medical conditions that cause abnormal bleeding as well. The most common of these are polycystic ovary syndrome and uterine fibroids. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that stops normal ovulation. In a normal menstrual cycle, an egg is created in a small fluid filled sack called a cyst. During ovulation, this cyst ruptures and releases the egg. In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, the egg does not mature, which causes the cyst to remain intact. This is a direct result of a hormonal imbalance.
Uterine fibroids are benign growths that rely on estrogen to grow. They can be the size of poppy seeds and expand to the size of grapefruits. Women who are at an increased risk of developing uterine fibroids are African-Americans, women with a family history of uterine fibroids, women who are obese and those who take birth control pills.
Symptoms
Symptoms of abnormal menstrual bleeding include bleeding or spotting between periods, bleeding after sex, passing large clots, bleeding for more than seven days or less than three days, and menstrual cycles that last less than 28 days or more than 36 days.
Treatment
To treat abnormal menstrual bleeding, a doctor will determine the problem that's causing it. The doctor will ask for information about any pre-existing health problems, including family history; a pelvic exam; a physical exam; and an ultrasound. He may also require a blood sample and urinalysis. Results from these tests can determine if the abnormal bleeding is from irregular hormones or an underlying medical condition. The doctor may prescribe oral contraceptives to regulate the hormones, which in most cases regulates the menstrual cycle. Women suspected of having a more serious problem may have to undergo a procedure called a laparoscopy--or keyhole surgery--to determine the cause.
Warnings
Women who have to change their sanitary pads or tampons once every two to three hours, are pregnant or may be pregnant, or have severe pain should contact a doctor.
