Abnormal Bleeding
Until most adult women reach menopause, they will bleed every 21 to 28 days during their menstrual cycle, with the bleeding lasting for a week or less.
But Dr. Obianwu sees many women who suffer from abnormal bleeding. "They may have more than one cycle of bleeding a month," he said. "Or they have heavy, irregular or prolonged bleeding for more than seven days."
"Women usually know when something seems abnormal. Bleeding in-between cycles, bleeding after they have gone through menopause, these are abnormal patterns and women who sense something is abnormal should be evaluated."
Dr. Obianwu stressed that such heavy bleeding is not necessarily a condition requiring hysterectomy and women with these conditions should consult with their gynecologist to seek diagnosis and treatment. Most causes are correctable and may require first identifying the cause. Medical treatment in most cases will suffice.
"I don't want them to think that we surgeons do hysterectomies on all women with bleeding problems," he said. "There are many options to try, both with medical solutions and conservative, minimally invasive approaches."
Among the lesser and conservative surgical treatments is endometrial ablation, in which the lining of the womb is cauterized so that it will not shed every month. This particular solution may not be advised for a woman who seeks future pregnancy, but the solution for each case is customized in consultation with her gynecologist, he said.
"Only when everything has failed and the bleeding continues do we get involved, when the woman then faces a hysterectomy," he said.
