Women often experience heavy, sporadic or prolonged bleeding during their reproductive years, and may even experience pain associated with the bleeding. Although irregular cycles can be normal, they can also be caused by several medical conditions. Most cases can be treated with the use of medication, although some cases may require surgical treatment.
Normal Cycles
Bleeding in a normal menstrual cycle can be light medium or heavy and should last anywhere between three and seven days. According to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, this bleeding should take place in a menstrual cycle roughly 25 to 36 days in length. During this time, a woman may experience slight cramping, headache or bloating.
Abnormalities
Abnormal menstrual bleeding includes any bleeding that occurs outside of the menstrual cycle, extremely heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding that contains many clots or clots larger than a quarter, bleeding that lasts more than seven days. Extreme pain associated with bleeding also is considered abnormal.
Uterine Causes
Common causes of abnormal bleeding from the uterus include uterine fibroids and uterine polyps. Uterine fibroids are benign uterine growths that range from the size of a small seed to the size of a grapefruit. These growths respond to estrogen, and normally occur in women age 30 or older, according to MedlinePlus. Typically, fibroids are treated with the use of oral contraceptives, which may control estrogen levels and keep the fibroids from getting larger. In some cases, no treatment is necessary. If several fibroids are present or they are causing a great deal of pain, they may have to be surgically removed. In rare cases, surgeons may remove the woman's entire uterus.
Uterine polyps are small, bulb-shaped growths that grow from the uterine lining and hang into the uterine cavity. Uterine polyps range in size from microscopic to the size of a grapefruit.
Ovarian Issues
Abnormal bleeding in the menstrual cycle may be caused by ovarian cysts or polycystic ovary syndrome. Ovarian cysts are formed every month in a normal menstrual cycle. These small sacks house the egg that is to be released in ovulation. If the ovaries do not receive enough estrogen, the cysts will not rupture during ovulation, and the egg will remain within the cyst. In this situation, the cyst may become larger. In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, this occurs every month. The ovaries in a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome have a pearl necklace appearance due to cysts. These cysts may go away on their own, but some may be so large that they cause great discomfort and must be surgically removed. In some instances, gynecologists may prescribe oral contraceptives to shrink ovarian cysts or minimize their occurrence.
Warning
Women who experience abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding accompanied by pain, or women who are sexually active and experiencing abnormal bleeding should seek prompt medical attention.
