It is normal for menstrual periods to be irregular at certain times of life. For the first few years when a girl begins her periods these often will be irregular and not come once every month. As women approach menopause periods may again become irregular. The reason for this is because as women approach menopause they don’t always ovulate every month. Their periods may become heavier or lighter due to hormone changes that occur in their bodies.

Menstrual periods that are longer than every 35 days or shorter than 21 days apart are not normal. A hormone imbalance occurs when the body makes too much or not enough of a certain hormone. This can be caused by:

• Weight loss or weight gain
• Heavy exercise
• Stress
• Illness
• Use of some medications

If these changes occur, a woman should notify her physician for a consultation or evaluation. The most common result of a hormone imbalance is anovulation when the ovaries do not release an egg and a woman does not have a period.)

Chronic anovulation can cause endometrial hyperplasia, a condition where the lining of the uterus grows too much. This occurs because there is an imbalance between progesterone and estrogen in the woman’s body. Over a long period of time, endometrial hyperplasia could turn into cancer.

What Bleeding is Abnormal?

• Absence of menstrual periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Bleeding after sex
• Spotting
• Any changes in normal flow

Diagnosis of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

• Endometrial Biopsy
• D & C / Hysteroscopy / Laparoscopy
• Ultrasound