At some point in their lives, the majority of women will experience some type of menstrual problem, such as periods that are irregular, heavy or painful. Abnormal periods can be inconvenient and frustrating when they interfere with your daily activities. Menstrual cycle abnormalities can be caused by an array of conditions, including puberty, ovulation, hormonal imbalances or changes, stress, infection or even life-threatening disease such as cervical or uterine cancer. That’s why it’s important to seek treatment for menstrual irregularities.
At Women's Specialists of Clear Lake, our board-certified gynecologists will address your concerns, diagnose your condition and help you decide on a treatment plan that is best for you.
Our gynecologists and OB/GYN specialists diagnose and treat all types of menstrual cycle abnormalities, including:
Absent / Infrequent Periods
Besides pregnancy, there are many reasons for absent or infrequent periods (amenorrhea). In fact, absent or infrequent periods are considered a symptom and not a disease because it usually results from another condition, such as a low thyroid, pituitary disease, excessive exercise, stress or anorexia. Fortunately, most causes of absent or infrequent periods respond to treatment.
Heavy / Prolonged Periods
All women experience a heavy period at one time or another, but a small number of women experience extremely heavy bleeding (menorrhagia), periods that last longer than 7 days (hypermenorrhea) or both. Hormonal imbalances or non-cancerous uterine fibroids are the most common cause of heavy or prolonged periods. For many women, medications can help. If warranted, there are surgical options. Our board-certified OB/GYNs have expertise in using NovaSure® to gently ablate the lining of the uterus (gently remove). NovaSure is a short and simple in-office procedure that does not involve hormones, has a quick recovery time and results in the removal of the lining.
Abnormal Periods
Abnormal bleeding between periods (metrorrhagia) or bleeding that is not associated with menstruation, can be both alarming and concerning. There are many causes of abnormal bleeding including hormone imbalance, abnormal growths, pregnancy complications, and infection. Because some of the causes are more serious than others, you should contact your OB/GYN doctor if you experience abnormal bleeding. There are a variety of treatments depending on the cause.
Painful Periods
All women experience cramps at one time or another, but for those with extremely painful menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), severe pain and stomach problems can interfere with daily activities. Painful periods or menstrual cramps may or may not be caused by another condition, such as endometriosis, sexually transmitted diseases, polycystic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts or fibroids. There are many treatments for menstrual cramps, depending on the cause of painful periods.
PMS / PMDD
Headaches, abdominal pain, digestion problems, sleep difficulties, mood changes and thought-processing difficulties experienced in the days before a woman’s period begins are all symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Some women experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of PMS. PMDD and PMS are real medical conditions, and it is important to receive appropriate treatment for all of your symptoms. Our compassionate doctors genuinely listen to your concerns and present solutions for more comfortable periods.