The decision to undergo any elective surgery is complex. With the body-shaping options available through breast lifts and augmentations, there’s plenty to think about. Understanding the targets of each procedure helps you decide what’s best for you.
One woman's abnormal period might be another woman's version of normal. In fact, up to 30% of women have irregular periods during their childbearing years. However, there is a baseline that gynecologists use to diagnose whether or not your period is “abnormal.” Two of the usual suspects for irregular periods in women are Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and hypothyroidism. Review this handy checklist to see if any of these menstruation symptoms pertain to you:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, your doctor may perform the following exams to rule out other medical issues:
If your abnormal periods are causing you discomfort, there are numerous treatments that can improve your discomfort, or resolve it altogether. Some of these treatments may include the following:
Hormone Therapy - You might be prescribed estrogen or progestin to control your heavy bleeding.
Pain Relief - Anything from heating pads or a warm bath to over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen can relax you and alleviate your discomfort. Aspirin is not recommended, since it thins the blood and can cause you additional bleeding.
Uterine Fibroid Alleviation - Your heavy bleeding could be minimized by low-dose birth control pills or progestin injections. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are drugs that shrink the size of the fibroids and control heavy bleeding, but they also reduce your body's ability to produce estrogen, so they may stop your menstruation altogether for a while. Another option is a myomectomy, which is a procedure to actually remove your fibroid(s). A uterine artery embolization cuts off the blood supply to your living fibroid tissue. A hysterectomy is the most extreme option, in which the fibroids are removed, along with your uterus.
Endometriosis Mitigation - While over-the-counter pain relievers will reduce your pain, to date, there is no cure for endometriosis. Your doctor may use birth control pills to prevent your uterus from overgrowing tissue, which reduces your blood loss during your menstrual cycle. Depending on the severity of your case, your doctor may use a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist or progestin to temporarily stop your periods. As mentioned previously, a hysterectomy is your last resort.
Request more information about abnormal periods today. Call (408) 946-9453 or contact us online.
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