HEAVY BLEEDING & FIBROIDS IN ALLENTOWN AND BETHLEHEM, PA
Heavy or frequent periods and fibroids, which can cause heavy periods or pain or both, are common medical issues for women that can affect your quality of life. John Scaffidi, MD, FABOM, FACOG, at Lehigh Valley Weight Loss is an OB/GYN and women’s health expert who provides medical management and surgical treatment for heavy or frequent periods or fibroids. To get help, call the office in Allentown or Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, or schedule a consultation using the online booking tool.
What is a heavy period?
While it’s common for women to experience fluctuations in their menstrual flow, a prolonged or abnormally heavy flow can be a medical concern. Medically referred to as menorrhagia, you may have an abnormally heavy or frequent period if you:
- Soak through a tampon or pad in an hour
- Need to double up to prevent leaking
- Bleed longer than a week or more often than every three weeks
- Limit your activities due to your heavy or frequent flow
You may be experiencing a heavy or frequent period for any number of reasons, including hormonal changes, cysts, uterine polyps, or a fibroid.
What is the treatment for heavy periods?
Treatment for your heavy or frequent period may depend on the cause, your overall health, and the severity of your bleeding. Treatment may include:
- Over-the-counter medication
- Hormonal birth control
- Tranexamic acid, a medication that reduces blood flow
If medical methods fail to improve your heavy or frequent periods, Dr. Scaffidi may discuss surgery, which can be outpatient, minimally invasive, and conservative in most cases.
What are fibroids?
Fibroids are benign tumors that grow in the uterus. They’re very common in women of childbearing age and many women don’t even realize they have fibroids until it’s discovered during an annual gynecological exam. However, some women experience symptoms that can affect your quality of life.
Common fibroid symptoms include:
- Heavy period
- Pelvic pain or heaviness
- Back pain
- Frequent urination or feeling like you can’t completely empty your bladder
If your fibroids are causing symptoms that keep you from doing the things you enjoy, Dr. Scaffidi can help.
What is the treatment for fibroids?
Treatment for your fibroids depends on your symptoms, and Dr. Scaffidi works one-on-one with you to develop the most appropriate treatment plan. Initially, he may just monitor the fibroids and, if symptoms develop, provide medication.
If conservative methods fail to improve your symptoms, Dr. Scaffidi can remove your fibroids using a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. However, removal of the fibroids doesn’t guarantee that others won’t grow back. If you have no future pregnancy plans, Dr. Scaffidi may recommend a hysterectomy as a treatment for your fibroids. He can also perform your hysterectomy laparoscopically to minimize risk and reduce recovery.
For management of heavy or frequent periods and fibroids, call Dr. Scaffidi today or schedule an appointment using the online booking tool.