Non-Invasive Treatment Options For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
So often, women who deal with abnormal uterine bleeding assume their only option is to have an invasive treatment, such as a D&C or a UAE, performed. This may lead them to delay seeking treatment. But the truth is, while these more invasive treatments are sometimes necessary, many cases of abnormal uterine bleeding can be managed without them. If you'd rather avoid invasive treatments, let your doctor know. They may recommend giving one or more of the following non-invasive treatment a try.
Birth Control Pills
If you are not on birth control pills, your doctor may recommend giving them a try. They tend to be really helpful for women who have very heavy or long periods. It may take a few months for them to have their full effect as far as shortening and lightening your period, so be patient. Birth control pills are safe for most women and have been used for many decades, which should give you confidence. You will need to remember to take your pill at the same time every day in order for it to be effective — not only for preventing pregnancy, but for regulating your period.
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonists
Many cases of abnormal uterine bleeding are either caused or made worse by uterine fibroids. These are benign, but bothersome growths in the uterine lining. If your doctor thinks fibroids are to blame for your abnormal bleeding, then they may prescribe a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist, or GnRHa. These medications increase your levels of gonadotropin releasing hormone, which can encourage the fibroids to shrink over time. As they grow smaller, the amount of bleeding you experience should decrease.
Tranexamic Acid
Tranexamic acid is a medication that falls into a category known as clotting agents. But instead of causing your blood to clot directly, it simply slows down the rate at which your body breaks down its own blood clots. This can go a long way towards reducing abnormal uterine bleeding, including both heavy periods and unusual bleeding between periods. Tranexamic acid does need to be taken several times a day, and it can cause nausea in some patients. However, it is worth a try, especially if birth control pills and GnRHa have not brought your bleeding under control.
Sometimes, the only way to stop abnormal uterine bleeding is with an invasive treatment. However, there are plenty of cases in which the non-invasive treatments above are all you need. For more information on the treatment of abnormal bleeding, speak with your doctor.