Abnormal vaginal bleeding can take many forms. Some people experience abnormal bleeding between their normal menstrual periods. Others bleed only during their periods but experience long or especially heavy flows. Abnormal bleeding can be disruptive to your life, painful, and even detrimental to your health. Fortunately, a gynecologist can offer treatment for reproductive bleeding disorders. Here are some treatment options that may help you:

1. Hormonal Birth Control

Birth control is often used as a contraceptive. However, it can also alter patients' menstrual cycles, which can allow it to treat abnormal bleeding. Taking birth control pills can shorten your menstrual period and alleviate cramps. Patients can take birth control pills to reap these benefits. They can also utilize other forms of birth control that they find more convenient, such as hormonal IUDs, birth control shots, and birth control patches. Hormonal birth control can elevate the risk of blood clots in some women, so your gynecologist will decide if this treatment option is suitable for you.

2. Polypectomy

The uterus is the reproductive organ involved in pregnancy. When a person is not pregnant, the uterus naturally builds up a nutrient- and blood-rich layer each month, which is then sloughed away with their monthly period. However, uterine polyps can sometimes grow inside the uterus. These growths may be cancerous or benign, but both types can cause unusual bleeding. The surgical removal of uterine polyps, called a polypectomy, can put a stop to abnormal bleeding.

3. Endometrial Ablation

Sometimes, abnormal bleeding is caused by endometriosis, a condition that causes the uterine lining to grow outside the uterus. This condition can cause significant amounts of pain and cramping in addition to bleeding. If you have endometriosis, your doctor may suggest endometrial ablation. Ablation is less invasive than a full hysterectomy. During the endometrial ablation process, your uterine lining will be manually destroyed using specialized tools. This procedure can impact fertility, so patients should carefully consider their options if they plan to have children in the future.

4. Hysterectomy

If other treatment methods do not succeed or you would like a permanent solution to your bleeding issue, a hysterectomy may be an option. A hysterectomy is the total removal of the uterus from a patient's body. Hysterectomies can relieve abnormal bleeding caused by hyperplasia, which refers to the unusually thick uterine lining. People who are done having children and those who do not wish to have children are good candidates for hysterectomies.

For more information, contact an OBGYN near you for treatment of abnormal bleeding.