Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Near Fredericksburg, VA

Advanced treatment delivered by a caring team in Fredericksburg, VA.

Book Your Appointment

Do You Experience Heavy Menstrual Bleeding?

At The Center for Advanced Gynecology, our focus is on identifying and addressing the underlying causes of heavy menstrual bleeding, providing care that helps restore normalcy and comfort to your menstrual cycle.

Heavy menstrual bleeding, also referred to as abnormal uterine bleeding, is a condition that affects a significant number of women during their reproductive years. Experiencing prolonged or excessively heavy periods can be disruptive and uncomfortable, and in some cases, these symptoms may indicate a more complex underlying issue that requires medical attention. Possible contributors range from hormonal imbalances to conditions such as uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, adenomyosis, or endometriosis.

Understanding the specific cause of heavy menstrual bleeding is essential for selecting the most effective and individualized treatment plan. Several common factors can contribute to abnormal bleeding, and a careful evaluation by a gynecologist ensures that the treatment addresses the root of the problem rather than just managing symptoms. Some of the primary causes include:

• Hormone Imbalance: When the levels of estrogen and progesterone are not properly balanced, it can result in menstrual periods that are heavier than normal and more difficult to manage.
• Uterine Fibroids: These benign growths within the uterus can increase the volume of blood flow during menstruation by expanding the uterine lining and creating a larger area for tissue to develop and shed, often contributing to heavier periods.
• Bleeding Disorders: Certain medical conditions, such as von Willebrand disease or complications from blood-thinning medications, can interfere with the body’s ability to form clots, leading to prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This hormonal condition can disrupt the menstrual cycle, causing irregular periods as well as unusually heavy menstrual flow in some individuals.
• Birth Control: In some cases, hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills, patches, or implants may influence menstrual patterns, resulting in heavier or irregular bleeding.
• Medical History: A variety of other health conditions, including thyroid disorders or liver disease, can affect menstrual flow and contribute to heavier periods over time.
• Uterine or Endometrial Cancer: In certain cases, unusually heavy or irregular periods may indicate a more serious underlying condition such as endometrial cancer. Risk factors for this include obesity, diabetes, and a family history of gynecologic cancers.

At The Center for Advanced Gynecology, your appointment begins with a comprehensive evaluation that includes a detailed review of your medical history, a careful physical and pelvic examination, and a pelvic ultrasound. Any additional blood tests that may be needed are performed to help identify the underlying cause of your heavy menstrual symptoms, ensuring that our team has a complete understanding of your health and can recommend the most appropriate treatment options.

Contact Us

Treatment Options for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Once the underlying cause of your symptoms has been determined, our team will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is fully tailored to your individual needs. A variety of options are available, and the best approach will depend on both the severity of your symptoms and the specific reason behind the heavy bleeding. This personalized plan is designed to address your unique situation while helping you regain comfort, improve your overall health, and manage your menstrual flow effectively.

Non-Surgical Treatments

• Oral Contraceptives: Birth control pills can be used not only to prevent pregnancy but also to regulate menstrual cycles and control bleeding. They help stabilize hormone levels, which can reduce the severity and duration of heavy periods.
• Oral Progesterone: The natural hormone progesterone can be prescribed to control menstrual bleeding, particularly for patients who cannot take medications containing estrogen. Synthetic forms of progesterone, known as progestins, are converted into progesterone in the body and work in a similar way to manage bleeding.
• Non-Oral Progesterone: Other forms of progesterone delivery include injections, implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs). These methods can help control menstrual bleeding and may have fewer side effects compared with oral medications. They provide long-lasting options for patients seeking consistent regulation of their cycles.
• Tranexamic Acid: This non-hormonal medication is specifically designed to reduce menstrual blood loss. It works by helping the blood clot more effectively within the uterus, which can significantly lessen the amount of bleeding during periods.
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Medications such as ibuprofen can be used to alleviate menstrual cramps while also reducing blood loss. NSAIDs help relieve discomfort while providing a secondary benefit of controlling excessive bleeding.
• Iron Supplements: If heavy menstrual bleeding has caused anemia, iron supplements can be prescribed to restore healthy iron levels. These supplements can be administered orally in pill form or intravenously for faster replenishment of iron stores in the body.
• Other Medicines: Additional prescription medications can help manage heavy uterine bleeding. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists may be recommended to reduce bleeding caused by fibroids or endometriosis. For example, relugolix combined with estrogen and progestin (Myfembree) can be used to manage fibroid-related bleeding, while elagolix combined with estrogen and progestin (Oriahnn) is also effective for fibroid bleeding. Elagolix alone (Orilissa) may be prescribed to control bleeding associated with endometriosis. These medications provide targeted options for patients depending on the underlying cause of heavy menstrual bleeding.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

• Hysteroscopy: This procedure is used to remove uterine fibroids or polyps and can help resolve heavy menstrual bleeding that results from structural issues within the uterus. By directly visualizing the inside of the uterus, the provider can treat abnormalities efficiently and precisely.
• Dilation and Curettage (D&C): A D&C involves the removal of part of the uterine lining and can provide temporary relief from heavy periods. This procedure helps address abnormal bleeding while allowing your provider to evaluate the tissue for any underlying issues.
• Endometrial Ablation: This procedure targets and removes the uterine lining to reduce or stop heavy menstrual bleeding. It is particularly suitable for women who have completed childbearing and are seeking a long-term solution to manage their periods.
• Uterine Artery Embolization: This approach works by reducing blood flow to uterine fibroids, helping to shrink them over time. An interventional radiologist passes a catheter through the large artery in the thigh, guides it to the blood vessels supplying the uterus, and injects tiny beads or sponges to decrease blood flow to the fibroid.
• Radiofrequency Ablation of Fibroids: When fibroids are causing heavy bleeding, radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure designed to shrink the fibroid tissue. This incisionless technique is performed through the vagina, where radiofrequency energy is applied to heat and break down the fibroid tissue. Over time, the fibroids shrink, and the remaining tissue is gradually absorbed by the body.

Surgical Treatments

• Myomectomy: For individuals with uterine fibroids, a myomectomy provides a way to remove the fibroids while preserving the uterus, which can significantly reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. Our team focuses on performing this procedure using a minimally invasive laparoscopic technique that requires only small incisions. This approach promotes faster recovery and helps minimize discomfort after surgery.
• Hysterectomy: In cases where fibroids or other causes of heavy bleeding are severe, or when other treatment options have not provided sufficient relief, a hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of the uterus, may be recommended as a permanent solution. This procedure can also be performed using a laparoscopic approach with very small incisions, allowing patients to recover more quickly and often avoid an overnight hospital stay.