Vaginal bleeding for three continual months is a sign that something is unusual, and that you need to see a health care provider. The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days, although 21 - 35 day cycles are common, depending on the woman. Menstrual blood flow usually lasts for five to seven days; you need to learn the cause of your extended bleeding time. A visit to a gynecologist or a nurse practitioner who specializes in reproductive health is the next step.

Health care providers recommend that women over 18, and women who are sexually active, have routine yearly pelvic exams and Pap tests. However, if a woman develops a problem or has unusual symptoms, such as prolonged bleeding, she needs to seek medical attention at that time. If and when you experience irregular bleeding, record information about the bleeding — i.e., when it occurs, how heavy or light the menstrual flow is, whether or not you experience any pain, such as cramps, and any other accompanying symptoms, such as fever or nausea — and then make an appointment with your health care provider. To find out what's going on, a provider will most likely focus on your medical history; do a physical exam, including a pelvic; order a blood test; and, perform some other diagnostic tests. Until a thorough medical investigation takes place, it's difficult to know the cause of your ongoing bleeding.

Menorrhagia is the term used to describe menstrual bleeding characterized by heavy flow and/or prolonged duration. Heavy flow lasting more than seven days but occurring with regular monthly periods may be normal for some women. However, menorrhagia is a symptom, which is usually the result of some underlying abnormality.

Menorrhagia is often associated with:

• irregular menstrual periods
• passage of large blood clots
• menstrual bleeding that soaks through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours
• disruption of a woman's usual lifestyle activities
• pain in the lower abdominal area during a period

Possible causes of menorrhagia include:

• hormonal imbalances (especially estrogen and progesterone)
• anemia or blood clotting disorders
• fibroids, cysts, polyps, or tumors of the cervix or uterus
• certain birth control devices (such as an intrauterine device — IUD)
• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• abnormal pregnancy (a miscarriage, for example)

There isn't a way to know for sure what's causing your irregular periods until a medical expert examines you. This is an opportunity to learn more about your body, and to take good care of your health. Call today for an appointment.

Alice

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