If you are a mother, odds are good that you frequent your family care clinic. Kids seem to get hurt all the time. Luckily, most family care clinics are also licensed in adult medicine. For example, they may be able to help you if you should have abnormal bleeding. 

Unfortunately for women, monthly bleeding is nothing to write home about. With a menstrual period that comes every month, you should be used to the volume and length of your visitor's stay.  However, if you have been experiencing abnormal amounts of bleeding (either great or small) you may want to talk to your doctor. There are many different causes of abnormal bleeding. These causes include but are not limited to:

Thyroid Issues

There are many thyroid issues that can really mess up your hormones. Hyperthyroidism is a condition where your thyroid is overproducing hormones. Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, is the underproduction of thyroid hormones. No matter what type you have, thyroid problems affect more things than most people know. Thyroid problems are a common source of vaginal bleeding, since a woman's hormones can get all out of whack. Hair loss and weight gain are also symptoms of this issue. 

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that can pop up within the muscle-built walls of the uterus. While not painful, these growths can cause an excessive amount of bleeding during one's period, and even bleeding outside of menstruation. Fibroids come in a variety of sizes, with some growing to be as big as a grapefruit. 

Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts can be very popular in younger women, though any age can be affected. These cysts can grow with a woman's menstrual period and then rupture at random times in her cycle. The symptoms of an ovarian cyst rupturing include intense abdominal/pelvic pain and cramping followed by vaginal bleeding. This bleeding is different than a period and may last for a short amount of time. 

Endometrial Hyperplasia

Endometrial hyperplasia is often found in older women. Basically, endometrial hyperplasia is when the inner lining of the uterus (which is shed monthly) grows to be abnormally thick throughout the month. Then, when the woman reaches her period each month, the bleeding is excessive, lasting anywhere from 7-21 days. Hyperplasia may develop into cancer, so it should be checked out early.

In conclusion, there are many different things that could be causing your abnormal vaginal bleeding. Talk to your doctor in order to run the necessary tests and diagnose the problem further. If you are hesitant, just think: You do not have to live with abnormal bleeding. Instead of constantly working to cover it up, why not just solve the problem? Make an appointment to see a doctor such as the Burnsville Family Physicians today.