Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Treatment in Ocala, FL
About Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
We all want to live our best lives. But for many, abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) gets in the way.
It may be more common than you think — 100 million women around the world are impacted by AUB, which includes situations such as:
- Bleeding or spotting between periods
- Heavy bleeding during your period
- Menstrual cycles that are longer than 38 days or shorter than 24 days
- Bleeding after menopause
The good news is: AUB can be treated. If you’re struggling with abnormal uterine bleeding in the Ocala, FL area, contact Florida Women’s Health today to schedule an appointment with board-certified OBGYN Poorti Riley, MD. Give us a call at (352) 820-4392 to schedule an appointment in Ocala, just a short drive from Bellevue and The Villages.
Causes of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Abnormal uterine bleeding can include prolonged, irregular, or even postmenopausal bleeding. If you’re one of the 100 million women who suffers from AUB, polyps or fibroids might be to blame.
Polyps
Endometrial polyps grow from the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. These polyps cause irregular spotting and pre- or postmenstrual bleeding.
Cancerous polyps aren’t common, but the risk rises with increasing age and postmenopausal bleeding. That’s why doctors suggest removing these symptomatic polyps for testing.
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids aren’t typically associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer — and they rarely develop into cancer. Still, they can cause back and pelvic pain, as well as heavy, prolonged, and/or frequent bleeding. Fibroids are a common health issue that affect:
- 20% of childbearing-age women
- 70% to 80% of women 50 and younger
- 1 in 2 women in the United States
Submucosal fibroids grow and bulge toward the inside of the uterus. They are usually removed because they have been associated with these increased negative effects on fertility, including:
- 64% reduction in pregnancy rates
- 69% reduction in live birth rates
- 67% increase in miscarriage rates
Treatment for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Treatments for AUB range from hormone therapy to complete removal of the uterus (hysterectomy). Between those extremes is a less invasive option called a hysteroscopy. This may be an option for you if your AUB is caused by polyps, fibroids, or retained products of conception.
Dr. Riley utilizes the latest technology from TruClear to perform hysteroscopies and has performed of 1500 TruClear procedures throughout her career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is any bleeding that falls outside a normal menstrual pattern — periods that are unusually heavy or long, bleeding between periods, cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35, or any bleeding after menopause. AUB affects an estimated 100 million women worldwide, and it is one of the most common reasons women see a gynecologist.
A period is considered heavy if it lasts more than 7 days, if you soak through a pad or tampon in under 2 hours, if you pass clots the size of a quarter or larger, or if you have to double up on protection or change products overnight. Heavy menstrual bleeding affects about 1 in 5 women, and it is a treatable medical condition — not something you have to plan your life around.
Common causes include uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, hormonal imbalances (including perimenopause and thyroid disorders), adenomyosis, ovulation problems such as PCOS, certain medications, and, less commonly, bleeding disorders or precancerous changes of the uterine lining. Because the causes are so varied, an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward the right treatment.
Yes. Losing too much blood each month can deplete your iron stores and cause iron-deficiency anemia, which leads to fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale skin, and difficulty concentrating. If heavy periods are leaving you exhausted, that is a strong signal to get evaluated — treating the bleeding treats the anemia at its source.
Dr. Poorti Riley starts with your history and a physical exam, and may recommend blood work, a pelvic ultrasound, or an in-office hysteroscopy — a thin camera that looks directly inside the uterus to identify polyps or fibroids. These tools pinpoint the cause of bleeding so treatment can be targeted rather than trial-and-error.
Treatment depends on the cause and your future family plans. Options include hormonal therapies (pills or IUDs), removal of polyps or fibroids with the TruClear hysteroscopic system, the incisionless Sonata treatment for fibroids, Minerva endometrial ablation for women finished with childbearing, and minimally invasive da Vinci surgery when needed. Most women find lasting relief without a hysterectomy.
No. Any vaginal bleeding after menopause — even light spotting — should be evaluated promptly. Most causes are benign, such as thinning of the uterine lining or polyps, but postmenopausal bleeding can occasionally be the first sign of a precancerous or cancerous change, and early evaluation matters.
Schedule an Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Consultation
If you’re struggling with abnormal uterine bleeding and are looking for answers, contact board-certified gynecologist Poorti Riley, MD at Florida Women’s Health. Call our OBGYN office at (352) 820-4392 to request your fibroid treatment consultation in Ocala, just a short drive from Bellevue and The Villages.