Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: What Women Need to Know About Increased Vaginal Bleeding by Manhattan Women's Health & Wellness

Abnormal uterine bleeding is defined as increased or decreased vaginal bleeding when compared to your normal periods, after menopause or during pregnancy. Specifically, you shouldn’t be bleeding after period ends or spotting between periods, after sex or after your cycles have ceased due to menopause.

It’s also considered abnormal to experience prolonged menstrual bleeding or bleeding more heavily than usual during your regular menstrual cycle. Heavy uterine bleeding (HUB) can often lead to low blood counts counts requiring transfusions of blood or iron. You should contact your gynecologist for an appointment in any of these cases.

Abnormal uterine bleeding should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by an OB-GYN physician for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, as it may be a symptom or sign of a serious illness or condition.

Possible causes of abnormal uterine bleeding include:

• Cancers (cervical, endometrial, ovarian, uterine, vaginal)

• Endocrine System Factors (overactive thyroid, underactive thyroid, PCOS)

• Fertility and Reproduction Factors (ectopic pregnancy, hormone levels, miscarriage, pregnancy, vaginal atrophy, perimenopause)

• Infections (cervicitis, chlamydia trachomatis, endometriosis, gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease, vaginitis)

• Medical Conditions (Celiac disease, liver disease or kidney disease)

• Medications and Devices (forgotten tampon, IUD, changing/stopping birth control pills)

• Noncancerous Growths (cervical polyps, Adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, uterine polyps)

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