DIAGNOSIS
Several kinds of examinations may be ordered by your physician depending on your age. Your doctor may require you to do a pregnancy test if you are pregnant. Your doctor may also want to check your blood count, in addition to other examinations, to prevent you from having low blood count from the blood loss. Experiencing heavy bleeding may result in anemia and iron deficiency.
An ultrasound exam that shows your uterus and ovaries may help your doctor determine the cause of the bleeding.
An endometrial biopsy may also be required by your physician; this kind of test determines your uterine lining. A catheter is placed in your uterus to remove a tiny piece of the uterine lining. The removed part will then be sent to the lab for further testing. This type of test has the purpose of determining whether you have cancer or experiencing a change in the cells. The biopsy may be done in your physician’s office and it does not cause a lot of pain.
Your physician may also recommend another test known as hysteroscopy. This type of test uses a thin tube with a tiny camera attached to it and is placed into your uterus. Through the camera, your physician can see what’s inside your uterus. Your physician may then require you to get a biopsy if he sees anything abnormal.
TREATMENT
There are several treatments available for abnormal bleeding. It usually varies depending on the cause of your bleeding, your age, and your plans to get pregnant. Your physician will guide you on which treatment is suited for you. However, if the cause of your bleeding is due to a hormone imbalance, you and your physician may consider to wait and observe if the bleeding will improve on its own.
The following treatments may include:
- Undergoing hysterectomy
- Using birth control pills
- Endometrial ablation
- Using an intrauterine device
- Undergoing dilation and curettage to scrape the uterine lining in your cervix
