The only NYS approved ambulatory surgical facility in all of Brooklyn for gynecological surgeries & abortion.
Call Us: (718) 369-1900

Women’s General Health

Menstrual Periods That Won’t Stop | Normal Menstrual Cycle

Menstrual Periods That Won't Stop Normal Menstrual Cycle

Every woman has normal menstrual cycle once a month, from puberty until menopause. A normal menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days, and menstrual periods last from four to six days. The intensity of the menstrual flow also varies from one woman to another. While some women have heavy menstrual periods, others have only light menstrual periods lasting a day or two. During each menstrual cycle, a woman loses about 40-70 ml of blood.

If menstrual periods last longer than they should, if the intensity of the menstrual flow changes and if you have menstrual periods more frequently than you normally have, you should get a medical check – up and determine the underlying cause for these changes.

Causes Changes in Normal Menstrual Cycle

Some women have menstrual periods that won’t stop. There are many causes that could lead to menstrual problems, and if they are longer than your normal menstrual cycle, a serious problem could be causing it. You should seek medical help in cases when:

  • If you lose more than 80 ml of blood
  • If you lose or gain weight unexpectedly within a short period of time
  • If you have spotting or bleeding between your periods
  • If you have spotting or bleeding after menopause
  • If you have spotting or bleeding during pregnancy
  • If you have spotting or bleeding after sex
  • If you need to change your pad or tampon during the night
  • If you have menstrual periods that last longer than one week
  • If you have menstrual periods that contain large clots of blood in the menstrual flow
  • If you are unable to do normal daily activities due to excessive blood loss
  • If you feel tired, dizzy and if you are pale, etc.

Reasons That Could Make Your Periods Not to Stop

Some of the reasons include:

  • Menopause – is a period when your body and your hormones change. While entering menopause, it is normal to have changes in the normality of the menstrual cycle. If the bleeding is not severe, it will stop without having the need for medical treatment. However, sometimes medical interventions are necessary to stop the bleeding.
  • Hormonal imbalance – is common in ovarian disorders, during menopause, etc. If the levels of progesterone and estrogen change, it is normal to have irregular and sometimes even heavy menstrual cycles that won’t stop.
  • Internal bleeding – even though it is rarely the cause, you need to seek immediate medical help. Usually, internal bleeding occurs due to an injury, accident, etc.
  • Uterine polyps – are usually noncancerous growths in the lining of the uterus. They range in size and number and one of the symptoms is also irregular menstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods or even excessive and heavy menstrual bleeding.
  • Uterine fibroids – are usually noncancerous growths of the muscular lining of the uterus, also known as myometrium. They range in size and number and one of the symptoms is also irregular menstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods or even excessive and heavy menstrual bleeding.
  • Ectopic pregnancy – is a pregnancy located outside of its normal place. Usually, the embryo gets implanted into the Fallopian tubes. One of the signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy is menstrual bleeding.
  • Cancer of the reproductive organs – one of the signs and symptoms of cancer of the reproductive organs is bleeding, especially bleeding between normal menstrual cycle, bleeding after menopause, as well as other signs and symptoms.

How Can I Stop A Period That’s Been Going For Too Long

Normally, you should track the length and severity of your menstrual bleeding. You should pay attention to any bleeding that occurs between two normal menstrual cycle, bleedings after sexual intercourse, bleedings that reappear after menopause, etc. You should also keep track about the number of pads or tampons that you normally use with every menstrual bleeding. If you notice that you are using more pads or tampons than usual, you should probably seek medical help.

Medications like Progesterone or hormonal birth control pills can regulate your menstrual periods. Medications like NSAIDs can cut the amount of blood you lose with every menstrual cycle by one – third.

There are various treatment options available, always depending by the underlying cause of this irregularity of the menstrual cycle.

Depending always from the cause of the bleeding, sometimes surgical procedures are necessary to treat and control the excessive bleeding with every menstrual cycle. In cases of uterine fibroids or uterine polyps, a hysteroscopy is necessary.

Endometrial ablation is necessary in cases when the blood loss is very severe. Hysterectomy is another option, during which the uterus and the ovaries are completely removed. Both these procedures are performed only in cases when the woman does not want to have children in the future.

If, your excessive bleeding is not accompanied with other signs and symptoms and if excessive bleeding does not cause you any other problems, you could just leave it untreated and keep track of your menstrual periods for a month or two. However, keep in mind that losing too much blood with every menstrual cycle can lead you to anemia. When necessary, seek medical help and get the right treatment for your problem.

 

Hypothyroidism | Hormonal Changes | OBGYN Brooklyn

Hypothyroidism Brooklyn Gynecology Services

Hypothyroidism means an underactive thyroid gland, which results in the production of inadequate thyroid hormones (common disorder of the endocrine system). Your metabolic process works to create energy through the food you eat. Since, the thyroid gland controls the metabolism and many other important functions of the body, an underactive thyroid is very likely to produce a varied set of symptoms and a sluggish body in general.

As per statistics, nearly 12% or more Americans are likely to suffer from a thyroid disorder in their lifetime. Approximately 4.6% of Americans aged 12 years and above suffer from hypothyroidism. However, when it comes to hypothyroidism or any thyroid disorder women are at a disadvantage, with the incidence of thyroid disorders in women being a whopping 5-8 times higher than that in men.

Here’s everything you need to know about hypothyroidism.

What Causes Hypothyroidism?

Here’s a list of its most common causative factors:

  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: This is an autoimmune disorder, wherein the body produces antibodies against healthy thyroid tissue resulting in inflammation of the thyroid affecting its functions. It is also the commonest cause of hypothyroidism.
  • Low Iodine diet: The thyroid gland uses iodine to make thyroid hormones. Iodine enters the body through food items including shellfish, seaweed, saltwater fish, dairy products, and other iodine fortified food items. In fact, the only legitimate way your body can process iodine is through your diet. Hence, a low iodine diet can lead to lower levels of iodine in your blood stream, consequently resulting in the thyroids inability to produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormones. The end result of which is this condition.
  • Radiation to and around the neck to treat cancers such as lymphomas may also cause hypothyroidism, mainly because radiation causes tissue damage in the thyroid (Read also: Ovarian Cancer). Thus, a damaged thyroid leads to hampered thyroid activity and lower thyroid hormones in the blood stream.
  • Medications like interferon alpha, interleukin-2, amiodarone and lithium may also lead to this condition.
  • Treatment with radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid often causes hypothyroidism in the long run, as it is aimed at reducing thyroid activity.
  • Thyroidectomy, a surgery that involves removal of a part of or the entire thyroid may also cause this condition.
  • Pregnancy is also a common cause of hypothyroidism. In fact, many women are first diagnosed with hypothyroidism during pregnancy ( Read about: good nutrition during pregnancy)
  • Disorders of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus also are potential hypothyroidism triggers as they control the thyroid.
  • Underdeveloped thyroid gland at birth can lead to hypothyroidism in babies that continues through adulthood.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

The hypothyroidism symptoms are usually varied and indefinite, which is why they are often mistaken for something else. Here’s what you are likely to experience if you have hypothyroidism:

  • Menstrual cycle irregularities
  • Fatigue
  • Weight gain and failure to lose weight
  • Depression and mood swings
  • Hair fall and dryness
  • Dryness of the skin
  • Lower pulse and heart rate
  • Constipation
  • Extremely sensitive to cold
  • Goitre or swelling of the thyroid gland
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

Diagnosis of Hypothyroidism

This condition diagnosed and monitored by analysing a woman’s thyroid hormone levels. The two main hormones tested are Thyroxine or T4 and Thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH. Low T4 levels and raised TSH levels are an indication of this condition. Since, a failing or underactive thyroid gland is the culprit behind this condition, there is a marked reduction in the thyroid hormones in the blood stream as it cannot secrete enough hormones. However, this thyroid underactivity makes the pituitary and hypothalamus increase the production of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) to push the thyroid gland to increase the T4 secretion to meet the needs of the body. Hence, we see a rise in TSH and a consequent fall in the T4 levels.

Hypothyroidism Treatment in Brooklyn

It is treated with synthetically made T4, one of the thyroid hormones. This synthetic T4 tries to compensate for the underactive thyroid by fulfilling its T4 requirements. A daily dose of synthetic T4 is prescribed depending on the blood thyroid hormone levels. The hypothyroid pill is to be taken daily or as advised by your physician half an hour before breakfast on an empty stomach. This helps your body absorb the synthetic T4 better.

Amniotic Fluid Embolism – OB/GYN Services Brooklyn

Amniotic Fluid Embolism - Ob\Gyn Services Brooklyn

Amniotic fluid embolism is a serious and life-threatening condition, luckily a very rare condition.  It occurs in cases when the amniotic fluid that surrounds and supports the baby during pregnancy inside of the uterus, enters the mother’s bloodstream. Except the amniotic fluid, also fetal cells or fetal material can enter the mother’s bloodstream. Amniotic fluid embolism is more likely to occur during childbirth or immediately after the delivery (Read also: Assisted Birth).

Amniotic fluid embolism is also very difficult to diagnose. When suspected, it requires urgent medical care and treatment, Brooklyn in order to prevent complications that are life – threatening.

What Is Amniotic Fluid Embolism?

The reason why amniotic fluid embolism occurs is not known. It is believed to be due to a breakdown in the placental barrier, caused usually from trauma. Once the breakdown in the placental barrier occurs, the human body responds by releasing products that cause an inflammatory reaction activating abnormal clotting in the mother’s lungs and blood vessels that can result in a serious blood-clotting disorder known as disseminated intravascular coagulation.

It is believed that some amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream during childbirth, without causing any problems. However, the reason why in some cases this leads to fluid embolism is not known.

Risk factors for amniotic fluid embolism include:

  • The age of the mother over 35 years old
  • Medically induced labor
  • Placenta problems – like abruption placenta, placenta previa
  • Preeclampsia
  • C-section
  • Polyhydramnios, etc.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Amniotic Fluid Embolism?

Amniotic fluid embolism is a condition that develops suddenly and very rapidly. Any change in the general condition of a women, who have recently given birth should be taken serious. The signs and symptoms of amniotic fluid embolism include:

  • Shortness of breath that occurs suddenly
  • Sudden low blood pressure
  • Pulmonary edema
  • Chills
  • Rapid heart beat
  • Altered mental status
  • Anxiety
  • Seizures
  • Coma
  • Cardiovascular collapse
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy – impaired and life threatening problems with blood clotting
  • Bleeding from the uterus, incision or intravenous (IV) sites, etc.

How Is Amniotic Fluid Embolism Diagnosed?

It is hard to diagnose fluid embolism. Usually, this diagnosis is suspected by the doctor in cases when there is a sudden and rapid change on the general condition of the women who is in labor or has recently given birth. Diagnosis usually consists in ruling out any other possible medical condition that could cause these signs and symptoms. In many cases with amniotic fluid embolism, the diagnosis is only made with autopsy, after the death of the mother.

Some of the tests and medical examinations that doctor’s usually order, are:

  • Total blood count
  • ECG
  • Pulse oxymetry
  • X-ray of the chest
  • Echocardiography, etc.

Get Gynecologic Treatment in Brooklyn

As it is a serious and life threatening condition amniotic fluid embolism requires immediate medical treatment. Emergency treatments usually include:

  • Oxygen therapy – usually a breathing tube is necessary
  • Catheter placement – a central venous catheter is placed in order to easily administrate fluids, blood transfusions and various medications
  • Blood transfusions – are necessary due to an excessive loss of blood
  • Various medications

Live Google Map:

PBGS Hours:

  • Monday: 7AM - 4PM
  • Tuesday: 7AM - 4PM
  • Wednesday: 7AM - 4PM
  • Thursday: 7AM - 4PM
  • Friday: 7AM - 4PM
  • Saturday: 7AM - 4PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Disclaimer:

This website contains general information about medical conditions and treatments. The information is not medical advice.

If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.