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Menopause (Expert Forum)
Longer Periods during Medopause
Answered by
Machelle Seibel, MD - Women's Health, menopause, ReproductiveMedicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
MA
Questions in the Menopause forum are answered by Dr. Machelle Seibel. Topics covered include menopause issues, depression, hormone replacement therapy , hot flashes, joint or muscle problems, memory problems, mood swings, osteoporosis , sexual problems, skin changes, sleeping problems, vaginal problems, and weight problems.
Doctor's Answer
by Machelle Seibel, MD, Apr 05, 2006 12:00AM
, Apr 05, 2006 12:00AM
A. Congratulations on your weight loss. It is a great accomplishment.
Increasing length of periods is a common experience around age 50. It is often normal but it isn’t possible to say so with absolute certainty. Because of the surgery you had, it is always possible that certain vitamins and nutrients are not being absorbed as much as needed. That can lead to anemia (low blood count). That in turn can cause bleeding. Be sure to take your multivitamins. Some people even benefit from taking two per day. It is also important to have a blood test to check your blood count and iron levels to be sure you aren’t getting anemic. If the problem continues for more than a few months it is a good idea to see your doctor. They can do an ultrasound of the pelvic organs and “look” at the inside of the lining of your uterus. Occasionally an office procedure called an endometrial biopsy is done by placing a thin instrument into the uterus and scraping a few lining cells (called the endometrium) to send to pathology so they can be looked at under a microscope. Depending on the findings, your doctor can tell you that all seems fine or suggest further investigations.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
Increasing length of periods is a common experience around age 50. It is often normal but it isn’t possible to say so with absolute certainty. Because of the surgery you had, it is always possible that certain vitamins and nutrients are not being absorbed as much as needed. That can lead to anemia (low blood count). That in turn can cause bleeding. Be sure to take your multivitamins. Some people even benefit from taking two per day. It is also important to have a blood test to check your blood count and iron levels to be sure you aren’t getting anemic. If the problem continues for more than a few months it is a good idea to see your doctor. They can do an ultrasound of the pelvic organs and “look” at the inside of the lining of your uterus. Occasionally an office procedure called an endometrial biopsy is done by placing a thin instrument into the uterus and scraping a few lining cells (called the endometrium) to send to pathology so they can be looked at under a microscope. Depending on the findings, your doctor can tell you that all seems fine or suggest further investigations.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
