Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) is when periods are very heavy, last much longer than normal, or don’t come regularly. The name might sound serious, but most AUB aren’t a problem and don’t need treatment.

Most cases of AUB are due to an imbalance between the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body, which allows the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) to keep building up. This may lead to the period coming early or late. And when the period does come, the shedding of this thick endometrium can result in very heavy bleeding. In any case, please visit the Asiri Well Women's Clinic or a preferred gynecologist for further information.

For appointments call: +94 763 909099

Asiri Medical Hotline: +94 11 452 3300

• 6 pads a day
• Changing pads less than 3 hours fully soaked pads
• Passing Clots
• More than 7 days bleeding

This heavy or prolonged bleeding may keep a girl or woman home from school, work or social functions because she’s worried she won’t be able to manage the bleeding in public.

Because many adolescents have slight hormone imbalances during puberty, lots of teen girls have heavy periods. But in some cases, heavy menstrual bleeding can be caused by problems such as:

• fibroids (benign growths) or polyps in the uterus
• thyroid conditions
• clotting disorders
• swelling, irritation, or infection in the vagina or cervix

If you or your daughter have heavy periods or periods that last longer than 7 days. Contact the Asiri Well Women's Clinic.

For appointments call: +94 763 909099

Asiri Medical Hotline: +94 11 452 3300

Or more simply said “ the painful period.”

There are two types of dysmenorrhea:

Primary dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea is very common in teens and is not caused by a disease or other conditions. Instead, the culprit is prostaglandin, the chemical behind cramps. Some prostaglandin can lead to mild cramps. But large amounts of prostaglandin can lead to nausea, vomiting, headaches, backaches, diarrhea, and severe cramps. Fortunately, these symptoms usually only last for a day or two.

Secondary dysmenorrhea

Secondary dysmenorrhea is pain caused by some physical condition like polyps or fibroids in the uterus, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or adenomyosis (when tissue that usually lines the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the uterus).

Having cramps for a day or two each month is common, but if you’re experiencing similar pain as noted above; kindly contact the Asiri Well Women's Clinic for further assistance or information.

Girls go through puberty at different ages. Some reach menarche (the medical term for the first period or the beginning of menstruation) as early as 9 or 10 years old. Others don't have their first periods until they're well into their teen years. So if your daughter is a "late bloomer," it doesn't necessarily mean there's something wrong.

Genetics plays a big role in determining when girls get their periods. Girls often start menstruating at about the same age at which their mothers or grandmothers did. Also, certain ethnic groups, on average, go through puberty earlier than others.

The HPV vaccination should be given soon after menarche for prevention of cervical cancer.

For more information on delayed periods or assistance with the HPV vaccine contact the Asiri Well Women's Clinic.

What is the cause of an absent period?

Since pregnancy is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea, a girl with skipped periods should have a pregnancy test. In addition to hormone imbalances and pregnancy, other things that can cause both primary and secondary amenorrhea include:

• stress
• significant weight loss or gain
• anorexia (amenorrhea can be a sign that a girl is losing too much weight and may have anorexia)
• stopping birth control pills (post-pill amenorrhea)
• thyroid conditions

Exercising too much (often in sports like distance running, ballet, figure skating, or gymnastics) combined with a poor diet also can lead to amenorrhea. This happens because a girl may lose too much weight or not gain enough weight during key periods of growth.

But this doesn't include the usual gym class or school sports team, even if they practice often . To exercise so much that she delays her period, a girl would have to train vigorously for several hours a day, most days of the week, and not get enough calories, vitamins and minerals.

This can also be caused by a genetic problem, a hormone imbalance, or a problem with the way the reproductive organs developed.

Hormone imbalances too can lead to secondary amenorrhea, which is when a girl who has had normal periods suddenly stops menstruating for more than 6 months or, three of her usual cycles.

Keep in Mind

If you notice that your periods are causing you great discomfort or interfering with your life, please note that sometimes hormone treatment, often in the form of birth control pills, can help ease many symptoms of uncomfortable periods.

For more assistance on the topic please contact the Asiri Well Women's Clinic.

For appointments call: +94 763 909099

Asiri Medical Hotline: +94 11 452 3300