When it comes to your menstrual cycle, “normal” is at best a very general concept, as the process can be much different between women. You may have your own flow rate, duration, and cycle length, along with accompanying symptoms, making for a unique experience.
The same is true for you as an individual. While you may have your own normal patterns, you can still experience month-to-month inconsistencies. When heavy or irregular periods occur, what does it mean?
The team at John A. Whitfield, MD in Fort Worth, Texas, can tell you that there’s a very wide range of conditions that could be behind these variations in your monthly cycle. Visit us for diagnosis and treatment when you’re experiencing changes to your “normal.”
The scope of your menstrual flow in any given month depends on factors ranging from medical conditions to hormone level changes to reactions to medication. Some of the more common causes of heavy or irregular periods include:
Pregnancy problems like ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage can also result in abnormal bleeding.
Given how your own regular menstrual patterns might vary substantially, it can be hard to know when bleeding crosses the line between heavy normal and heavy abnormal. Some of the signs of heavy bleeding include:
If you have a normal light flow, your abnormal bleeding level may be less than those described above. It’s important to listen to your body and act when something feels wrong.
Don’t postpone a visit with Dr. Whitfield if you experience:
Symptoms of anemia (fatigue and shortness of breath) should be investigated promptly.
Contact John A. Whitfield, MD, at our Fort Worth office when you suspect you’re having issues with abnormal bleeding. Call 817-927-2229 to book your appointment now.
