Abnormal gynecological bleeding affects around a third of women; that’s over 56 million people in the United States alone.
At Dunwoody OBGYN, we treat women of all ages with unexpected bleeding from multiple causes. Every woman’s cycle looks a little different, but certain patterns signal that something isn’t quite right. If something feels different from normal, trust your instincts — you know your body best.
Here, we discuss what unexpected bleeding means and what you should do if it’s affecting you.
The most common unexpected bleeding concerns include:
Several common conditions can cause irregular bleeding, with hormonal changes at the top of the list. Stress, weight changes, thyroid disorders, and birth control can all shift your hormone levels and affect your cycle.
Other possible causes include:
Sometimes, your body simply reacts to a new birth control pill or missed doses, but don’t assume that’s the reason. We’ll help you sort it out.
Bleeding after intercourse doesn’t always mean something serious, but it does deserve evaluation. Common causes include cervical irritation, infections, polyps, or vaginal dryness.
If you notice bleeding after sex, schedule a visit so we can examine you and rule out concerning causes.
Heavy bleeding can lead to anemia, which causes weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Fibroids, hormone imbalances, and clotting disorders often drive heavy cycles.
Some women naturally have heavier periods. However, if yours keeps you home from work or school, causes fatigue, or forces you to change protection every hour, that’s not something you should just live with.
We’ll ask detailed questions, run labs if needed, and possibly order diagnostic imaging to see what’s happening.
Any bleeding after menopause needs prompt evaluation. Once you’ve gone 12 months without a period, your uterus shouldn’t bleed again.
Postmenopausal bleeding can stem from thinning vaginal tissues, hormone therapy, polyps, or changes in the uterine lining. In some cases, it signals endometrial cancer. Early detection leads to better outcomes, so don’t delay your call to us.
First, we listen. We ask about your typical cycle, medications, symptoms, and family history. Bring notes if that helps you remember details.
Next, we perform a pelvic exam. Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend:
We’ll explain every step before we move forward. You’ll always know why we recommend a test and what it tells us.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the bleeding. Here are some examples:
If your fibroids or polyps are small and your symptoms are mild, we may start with medication to regulate your hormones and reduce bleeding.
If bleeding continues or symptoms disrupt your daily life, we may remove polyps or certain fibroids through the cervix without large incisions. These treatments usually involve shorter recovery times and help restore a more predictable cycle.
If testing shows a bacterial infection, we’ll prescribe antibiotics to clear it. It’s important to take the full course of medication, even if symptoms improve quickly. We may also recommend follow-up testing to confirm the infection has gone.
If bloodwork reveals a thyroid imbalance, we’ll prescribe medication to stabilize hormone levels. Once your thyroid returns to a healthy range, your cycle often improves as well.
Other hormonal conditions, such as PCOS or perimenopause, may require birth control pills, progesterone therapy, or other hormone treatments. These medications help balance your cycle, reduce heavy bleeding, and ease related symptoms like cramping and mood changes.
For precancerous changes, we may recommend procedures like a colposcopy to remove or destroy abnormal tissue before it progresses.
If you have cancer, we coordinate care with trusted specialists. We’ll explain your options, answer your questions, and support you through every step of treatment.
Seek urgent care if you:
Heavy bleeding combined with pain or dizziness needs immediate evaluation.
Unexpected bleeding doesn’t always mean a serious condition, but if you’ve noticed changes, don’t wait and wonder. Schedule an appointment at Dunwoody OB/GYN by phone or complete the online inquiry form.
