WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR FOR IRREGULAR PERIODS?

The average period bleeding generally lasts for five days after which the monthly cycle repeats. A woman’s health is often determined by the period cycle. Although there are women who experience irregular periods or abnormal uterine bleeding.

What are irregular periods?

Irregular periods mean irregularity in :

Duration of bleeding
The length of the interval between the periods.
Quantity of blood discharge.

Women may also experience the following :

Heavy bleeding during a period or heavy periods.
Menstrual bleeding that lasts longer than normal.
Bleeding or spotting between periods or after sexual intercourse.
Suffering even after reaching menopause.

Below mentioned are some of the causes of irregular periods

Unmanaged Diabetes: woman’s health is critical, but some women don’t pay attention to their sugar levels and leave their Diabetes uncontrolled may experience irregular periods as the interaction between the hormones and the blood sugar levels can affect the menstrual cycle of a woman and thus the woman’s health.

Medications: Some specific medications like antipsychotics and anti-epileptics affect the menstrual cycle, which may result in irregular periods.
Eating disorders: Woman’s health is also adjudged by certain conditions and when women are experiencing conditions like bulimia or anorexia they may also experience irregular periods as their bodies fail to produce and circulate the hormones which are responsible for controlling the menstrual cycle.
Hyperprolactinemia: Women who have too much prolactin or protein hormone in their blood may have irregular periods.
Polycystic ovary syndrome or (PCOS): This is a condition in which tiny, fluid-filled sacs that are called cysts develop in the woman’s ovaries. Women with PCOS don’t ovulate because of which they also don’t release an egg every month. The symptoms of PCOS are irregular or no periods, acne, obesity. PCOS is a result of imbalanced sex hormones that affect regular menstruation.
Thyroid Disorder: Thyroid disorder can also cause irregular periods. It is the thyroid gland which produces the hormones which affect the metabolism of the body.
Uterine or Cervical Cancer: These cancers may, in some cases, result in irregular periods.
Endometriosis: This is a condition under which the cells which can usually be found inside of the woman’s uterus also called the endometrial cells are found outside it. To explain in simple words, the lining of the inside of the uterus is located outside of it. The Endometrial cells which shed every month during menstruation, it is bound to affect women who are in their childbearing age.
Although there are no symptoms of endometriosis, yet it can turn out to be painful. When the free blood gets stuck in the surrounding tissue, it can result in damaging the fabric, which may result in irregular periods, heavy periods, unbearable pain and infertility.

When Should A Woman Consult A Doctor For Irregular Periods?

Although irregular periods may not always be a matter of concern or worry yes, it becomes crucial and essential for a woman to talk to the doctor in cases like :

Vaginal Hysterectomy
You had your last period around 90 days back.
When your period becomes irregular suddenly.
When your period happens more often than the usual period cycle of every 21 days.
Your period happens less frequently than every 35 days.
When period bleeding lasts for more than seven days.
When the period blood flow becomes heavy suddenly, or you experience heavy periods.
When you bleed even between the periods.
When you experience unbearable pain during your periods.
Abdominal Hysterectomy

Disadvantages of abdominal hysterectomy involves:

Significant blood loss
Cosmetically bothering scar
Prolonged recovery time

For patients who might require an abdominal approach, there is Laparoscopy Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy. This procedure involves insertion of three long metal tubes which has a camera and surgical tools that aid the surgeon to cut and ligate the uterus and cut it into many parts to aid in easily removing it through the vagina. This procedure offers all the benefits of a vaginal hysterectomy even in a patient with large uterus.

What are the complications of Hysterectomy?

As in all surgical procedures there are certain complications associated with this procedure as well Bleeding Injury to surrounding structures such as bladder, intestines, blood vessels and nerves. Infection Dyspareunia – painful coitus.

Recovery Period after Hysterectomy

Minimum of 7 days of hospital stay is essential for a patient who is undergoing hysterectomy. Pain killers will be adequately provided for the patient to recover. The patient is encouraged to walk around the hospital as soon they can as it helps in early mobility. The gauze piece that might be put during a vaginal hysterectomy will be removed in 3 days. Brownish discharge from the vagina during the recovery period is quite normal and patient is advised to use pads for comfort.

For a period of 3-6 months the patients are advised not to lift heavy weights or push heavy objects.Do any form of physical exertion have sexual intercourse before asking your doctor.

The patient may resume her daily activities within a period of 4 weeks if she has had vaginal or laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy and slightly longer if she has had abdominal hysterectomy.