When should I see an OBGYN for abnormal periods?

You should schedule a consultation if your periods last longer than 7 days, occur more frequently than every 21 days, or if you experience extremely heavy bleeding that interferes with daily life.

Abnormal Periods

Having abnormal periods is relatively normal. From heavy bleeding to skipping periods, menstrual cycles can be affected by numerous issues. To help you get to the bottom of your abnormal periods, you should seek the counsel of a gynecologist like Dr. Maduka Odogwu at Holy Cross OBGYN. Dr. Odogwu diagnoses and treats women in Mesquite, Texas, helping them normalize their cycles again. To learn more about treating your abnormal periods, call the office or click to use the online form to schedule an appointment.

What is an abnormal period?

Several criteria constitute what’s considered an abnormal period, including:

Periods less than 21 days apart
Periods more than 35 days apart
Heavy bleeding (if you soak through a tampon or pad every hour for several hours in a row)
Heavy cramping
Periods with very little blood
Missing more than three periods in a row
Bleeding or spotting between periods

If you have any question about whether your period is abnormal or not, it’s best to seek the advice of Dr. Odogwu to be on the safe side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes abnormal periods?

The causes of abnormal periods vary considerably based on your symptoms. To give you a better idea of what that entails, the following are the most common causes of the two most common period issues:

Heavy bleeding

If you’re experiencing heavy bleeding that soaks through your tampons or sanitary napkins every hour, or bleeding that lasts for more than seven days, the following may be at the root of the problem:

Endometrial hyperplasia
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Uterine fibroids
Pelvic inflammatory disease

Light or skipped periods

On the other end of the spectrum, if you regularly miss periods or there’s hardly any bleeding, the following may be at play:

Eating disorders or poor nutrition
Hormonal birth control
Stress
Over-exercising
Premature ovarian insufficiency

The only way to know for sure what’s causing your abnormal periods is to get checked out by Dr. Odogwu.

How are abnormal periods diagnosed?

To uncover the source of your problem, Dr. Odogwu conducts a thorough exam and reviews your medical history. You should record your periods beforehand, so you have the necessary details. Once he has all the information in hand, he may order further imaging to see what’s going on inside your body, as well as draw blood for lab tests, which can also reveal a lot.

Once Dr. Odogwu has zeroed in on the problem, he helps you treat the medical issue and alleviate the symptoms. There are also surgical options for treating abnormal uterine bleeding.

If you want to find out what’s causing your abnormal periods and get started on a treatment, call Holy Cross OBGYN, or book an appointment using the online scheduling tool.