Heavy bleeding during menses is medically referred as DUB (Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding) or AUB (Abnormal Uterine Bleeding). It is a condition that affects nearly every woman at some point in her life. In general, the main cause of dysfunctional uterine bleeding is an imbalance in the sex hormones. The amount of blood lost in each period varies from individual to individual. Since there is variation in the loss of blood it is too difficult to define a normal period in terms of the amount, length and frequency of bleeding. A heavy period for one woman may be normal for another.
How a woman can recognize that she is suffering from DUB?
Any material coming out through vagina would be called as Vaginal Discharge. Some vaginal discharge is normal for women falling in between the age-group of 15 to 45 (this is considered as the normal reproductive age of the woman). However, every woman should be cautious about the amount, quality and longevity of the discharge, if there is a change in these three things, it could be a cause of disease or internal infection.
What is an Abnormal Vaginal Discharge?
Fibroids are common tumours mostly found in women of age groups in between 25 to 45 and tend to shrink after the menopause. Fibroids are made up of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue, they develop in the uterus. It is estimated that 70%-80% of women will develop fibroids in their lifetime, however it is not a sign of disease in most of the cases. So each and every woman has to keep a vigil and be an observant for following symptoms in order to know in what condition she has to visit her Gynaecologist.
Endometriosis is a problem in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. This external growth can be witnessed on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or the intestines. Usually endometriosis causes pain full periods, pain during intercourse, cramping before periods which continues during menstrual cycle and even after, pain in urination etc. If any of these is observed by woman, she should consult the doctor immediately because if not treated well in time, it can lead to infertility in young woman.
In most cases, ovarian cancer isn’t diagnosed until it has progressed to an advanced stage. In fact, only about 20 percent of cases are diagnosed at an early stage. Typically, this is because ovarian cancer symptoms either aren’t apparent in the early stages of the disease or they mimic common stomach and digestive issues that are often mistaken for minor ailments. Women are more likely to experience symptoms once the disease has spread beyond the ovaries, typically to the lymph nodes outside the abdomen, the skin, the liver, the spleen, the fluid around the lungs, the intestines or the brain.
Ovarian Cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. The female reproductive system contains two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries – each about the size of an almond — produce eggs (ova) as well as the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen. At this late stage, ovarian cancer is more difficult to treat. Early-stage ovarian cancer, in which the disease is confined to the ovary, is more likely to be treated successfully.
Ovarian Cancer may cause several signs and symptoms. Women are more likely to have symptoms if the disease has spread, but even early-stage ovarian cancer can cause them. The most common symptoms include:
Breasts are made up of ducts, lobes, fibrous tissue, and underlying bone; therefore, they can feel lumpy or uneven. Most women experience breast changes at some time. Your age, hormone levels, and medicines you take may cause lumps, bumps, and discharges (fluids that are not breast milk). If you have a breast lump, pain, discharge or skin irritation, before your menstrual period begins, and sometimes during your period it is still normal but if the lump has not disappeard after period is over ,you need to see the doctor immediately.
Changes in breast when you need to see the doctor?
Amenorrhea is a symptom and not a disease. It is a condition when menstruation have not begun in a girl who has attained the age of 16 years and also in the woman who has missed her periods continuously for more than 3 times.
What are the reasons of Amenorrhea?
Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries and other surrounding areas. Usually performed by a gynaecologist. Hysterectomy can be full or partial. It is the most commonly performed surgical procedure by the gynaecologists in case of Prolapsed Uterus, Fibroids, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Abnormal Bleeding and Chronic Pelvic Pain. After a hysterectomy, you no longer have menstrual periods and cannot become pregnant.
Recovery after hysterectomy takes time. Most women stay in the hospital for one to two days after surgery. In some cases, you may be send home the same day after your surgery. When the hysterectomy is done because of cancer one may have to stay in the hospital for a longer time.
Hysteroscopic Surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure which uses a hysteroscope that aids to examine the interior of the uterus along with cervical canal. Hysteroscopic surgery can either be operative or diagnostic. Hysteroscopy is used to investigate symptoms or problems – such as heavy periods, unusual vaginal bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding, pelvic pain, repeated miscarriages or difficulty in getting pregnant and in diagnostic conditions – such as fibroids and polyps (non-cancerous growths in the womb).
Hysteroscopy is done using a hysteroscope, a thin, lighted tube that is inserted into the vagina to examine the cervix and inside of the uterus. The procedure can take anywhere from just 10 minutes to 30 minutes depending on what’s being done. For most diagnostic-only purposes, the hysteroscopy can be done in your doctor’s chamber / clinic with just local or regional anaesthesia.
Gynaecologic laparoscopy is an alternative to open surgery. Open surgery often requires a large incision. A laparoscope is a slender, lighted telescope which allows the doctor to see inside your body. Diagnostic laparoscopy can determine whether you have conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids.
Laparoscopy can be used for diagnosis, treatment or even for both. A diagnostic procedure can sometime turn into treatment as well. In general, Laparoscopic Surgery is done in following cases:
Ceasing of menstruation in a woman is known as menopause. In core medical terms it is defined as the point in time when menstrual cycles permanently cease due to the natural depletion of ovarian oocytes from aging. The diagnosis is typically made retrospectively after the woman has missed menses for 12 consecutive months. It marks the permanent end of fertility. The average age of menopause is in between 45 to 55 years. After the menopausal transition, many women feel relieved that now they do not have to worry about the painful periods, cramps, or getting pregnant.
Some women don’t have any trouble with menopausal symptoms. For others, the menopausal transition can bring hot flashes, trouble sleeping, moodiness and irritability, pain during sex, or depression. In either of the cases a gynaecological check-up is needed at least once to ensure a smooth and healthy transition.