Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

An exceptionally heavy flow during your period or vaginal bleeding when you aren't on your period is considered abnormal uterine bleeding. It can signify a hormonal imbalance, endometriosis, fibroids, cysts, abnormal cells or infection.

If you are experiencing abnormal bleeding, contact Dr Orji for a consultation. Dr Orji performs evaluations to determine the cause of abnormal bleeding and is highly skilled in treating complex cases.

Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalances occur when the levels of oestrogen and progesterone are overproduced or underproduced, leading to abnormal bleeding. PCOS and thyroid disease are common conditions that cause hormonal imbalances, as well as anovulation, where the egg does not release from the fallopian tube during ovulation.

Infections

Specific sexually-transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, can cause abnormal bleeding. If left untreated, STDs can result in many other issues with your reproductive health, so it's essential to see a professional as soon as possible.

Structural abnormalities

Certain abnormalities that form in the reproductive systems can also lead to unusual bleeding at times. For example, women with fibroids, cysts, polyps and endometriosis may experience abnormal bleeding.

Cancer

In rare cases, cancer or precancer of the reproductive organs causes abnormal bleeding. Therefore, it's crucial to go for regular well-woman check-ups and do pap smear screenings for early detection.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when the uterine wall starts to grow outside of itself. It leads to inflammation, painful periods, and many other issues that can make daily life difficult.

Understanding endometriosis

The endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterine wall still behaves as endometrial tissue should - it grows, breaks down and bleeds each month. However, with nowhere to go, it becomes trapped and can lead to infection, cysts and scarring. This leads to painful periods, fertility issues and the pelvic organs sticking together.

Symptoms of endometriosis

The most common sign of endometriosis is severe period pains, but other symptoms include:

  • Excessive or abnormal bleeding
  • Painful menstruation
  • Painful intercourse
  • Fertility issues
  • Pain during bowel movements or urination
  • Fatigue
Diagnosing endometriosis

Endometriosis often goes undiagnosed as many women believe their severe period cramps are normal. However, there are several ways to check if endometriosis is present. If you are experiencing symptoms, contact Dr Orji to discuss your symptoms and undergo a pelvic exam.

During your consultation, Dr Orji will ask you about what you have been experiencing and the location of the pain. He will then do a pelvic exam and ultrasound to check your reproductive organs for scarring or lesions.

In more complex cases, an MRI or laparoscopy surgery may be necessary to get a detailed view of any endometrial tissue outside the uterine wall.

Managing endometriosis

Unfortunately, endometriosis has no cure, but Dr Orji provides counselling and management for the symptoms of endometriosis to ensure you are as comfortable as possible.

The most common ways to manage endometriosis are hormonal therapy and pain medication - these help to keep your symptoms and pain at bay. However, surgery to remove the abnormal endometrial tissue may be necessary in severe cases.

Fibroid Management

Uterine fibroids are growths that appear in the uterus but are relatively harmless. They are noncancerous, so they have a low risk of causing cancer or harm to your reproductive organs and can range in size. There is no direct cause for fibroids, but it is believed that genetics and hormonal imbalances play a role.

Symptoms of fibroids

In most cases, uterine fibroids don't cause any symptoms. However, size, location and the number of fibroids can cause specific symptoms, such as:

  • Heavy and extended menstruation
  • Pelvic pain
  • Frequent urination
  • Constipation
  • Backache

If you experience these symptoms, it's vital to visit Dr Orji for a pelvic examination to assess the fibroids and administer treatment.

Diagnosing fibroids

Typically, Dr Orji can detect fibroids during a pelvic examination. However, some fibroids can be almost invisible, so more detailed screenings are necessary. Dr Orji may perform an ultrasound to achieve a clear image of the reproductive organs, any fibroids present, or blood tests.

Managing fibroids

There are many ways to address uterine fibroids, but which is best for you will be based on several factors. After assessing the fibroids' location, number and size, Dr Orji will present the most effective treatment plan.

This may include:

  • Medication
  • Non-invasive ultrasound surgery
  • Minimally invasive procedures
  • Traditional surgery