Key Q&A

Acupuncture Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Androgen Anxiety Disorders Asthma Atherosclerosis Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Bacterial Vaginosis Biofeedback Bipolar Disorder Birth Control Pills Blood Donation and Transfusion Breast Augmentation and Reduction Breast Cancer Breastfeeding Breast Reconstruction Caregiving Cervical Cancer Chiropractic Chlamydia Cholesterol Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Clinical Trials Colon Cancer Contraception Depression Diabetes Dry Eye Syndrome Eating Disorders Endometriosis Epilepsy Estrogen Fibroids Fibromyalgia Fitness Flu/Colds Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Genetic Testing Genital Herpes Glaucoma Gonorrhea Health Insurance Heart Disease Hepatitis High Blood Pressure HIV/AIDS Homeopathy Human Papillomavirus Hypnosis Hysterectomy Incontinence Infertility Irritable Bowel Syndrome Legal Health Tools Liposuction Lung Cancer Lupus Macular Degeneration Medication Safety Menopause Menstrual Disorders Metabolic Syndrome Migraine Multiple Sclerosis Naturopathy Nonsurgical Aesthetic Procedures Nutrition Obesity Ocular Allergies Oral Health Osteoarthritis Osteopathic Medicine Osteoporosis Ovarian Cancer Overactive Bladder Pain Management Pelvic Organ Prolapse Pelvic Pain Peripheral Arterial Disease Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Pregnancy Premenstrual Syndrome Preparing for Surgery Progesterone Rheumatoid Arthritis Schizophrenia Scleroderma Sexual Dysfunction Sinusitis Sjogren's Syndrome Skin Cancer Skin Health Sleep Disorders Smoking Stress Stroke Substance Abuse Tai Chi Teen Health Thyroid Disorders Trichomoniasis Urinary Tract Conditions Urinary Tract Infection Uterine Cancer Vaccines Varicose Veins Violence Against Women Vulvodynia Weight Management Yeast Infections Yoga

1. How is abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) defined? Is my condition serious enough to be considered?

   Abnormal uterine bleeding, or menorrhagia, refers to menstrual periods that are abnormally heavy, prolonged or both. The term may also refer to bleeding between periods.

2. I used to have regular periods, and they've suddenly disappeared over the past few months. Is this something to be concerned about?

   This condition, called secondary amenorrhea, can be caused by problems that affect estrogen levels, including stress, weight loss, exercise or illness. Also you may experience secondary amenorrhea because of problems affecting the pituitary, thyroid or adrenal gland. This condition can also occur if you've had ovarian disease or have had your ovaries surgically removed. You should consult with a health care professional to determine what is causing you to skip periods.

3. Is there a certain age group of women who are more likely to have problems with AUB?

   Abnormal uterine bleeding can occur at any age, but it is more likely to occur at certain times in a woman's life. For instance, before menopause, your periods may suddenly become lighter or heavier because you are ovulating less often. If you have just begun to menstruate, you may also experience AUB.

4. Can AUB be a problem for me if I've already gone through menopause?

   If you are post-menopausal and you aren't taking any hormones, any uterine bleeding is considered abnormal and should be evaluated by a health care professional as soon as possible.

5. Aside from excessive or lengthy bleeding, what other problems can be described as AUB?

   Other types of AUB could include:

   • absence of periods (no bleeding)

   • bleeding between regular periods

   • spotting

6. What are my treatment options for AUB?

   Generally, both medications and surgery are options. Typically, less invasive therapies should be considered first. Treatment choices depend on your age, your desire to preserve fertility and the cause of the bleeding (dysfunctional or structural).

7. Is PMS (premenstrual syndrome) a problem I have to learn to live with every month or is there anything I can do to relieve my symptoms?

   PMS is not a disease but a collection of symptoms. Still, there are many things you can try to alleviate your pain, discomfort and emotional distress. They include dietary changes, medication options and exercise. Ask your health care professional for more information.