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Northwestern Women’s Health Associates, S.C
680 N. Lake Shore Drive #1200, Chicago, 60611 | Get Directions

Diagnosis and treatments for abnormal bleeding in Highland, IN

With an office in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, the OBGYN team at Northwestern Women’s Health Associates  offers comprehensive feminine health care to patients throughout  Chicagoland, Northwest Indiana, and the surrounding areas. Our Northwestern OBGYN team proudly offers comprehensive women’s health care, including well visits, obstetrics, and gynecology. We work to prevent, diagnose, and treat feminine health concerns. This includes abnormal bleeding treatments.

With offices in Chicago and Glenview, the OBGYN team at Northwestern Women’s Health Associates offers comprehensive feminine health care to patients from Chicago to Northwest Indiana and the surrounding areas.

During a woman’s menstrual cycle, she may experience cramps, discharge, and bleeding. This is normal. Prior to menopause, women often experience vaginal bleeding and discharge as well. However, changes to your normal cycle, breakthrough bleeding, or heavy or extended bleeding may be considered abnormal uterine bleeding and may be cause for concern. Abnormal bleeding may occur at any point, even during your regular monthly period. Symptoms may include breakthrough bleeding between periods, very heavy menstrual bleeding, and heavy bleeding that lasts longer than a week.

Abnormal bleeding has a number of possible causes including hormonal changes and pregnancy. Additional causes include birth control pills, lack of ovulation during a menstrual cycle, or uterine fibroids. Rare causes of uterine bleeding may include a thyroid disorder, cervical problems, or cancer.

Abnormal bleeding diagnosis

If you are experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding, contact your Chicago OBGYN. Do not ignore your symptoms or attempt to diagnose or treat yourself. An examination and/or testing may be required to determine your condition and provide effective treatment.

Dr. Stanley Friedell speaks about abnormal uterine bleeding

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common issue seen by gynecologists. It’s mainly caused by hormonal problems, vaginal infections, and uterine fibroids/polyps. A woman experiencing AUB should visit a gynecologist. A proper evaluation comprises an examination, often including an ultrasound scan and sometimes, a biopsy. AUB can be treated successfully.


Your Chicago gynecologist assesses your medical history as well as your current symptoms. A woman’s age, current health, and symptoms help determine the tests necessary to diagnose your condition.

  • Blood work can check for pregnancy and ensure your blood count is not too low if you are experiencing heavy bleeding.
  • An ultrasound shows potential problems with the ovaries and uterus.
  • An endometrial biopsy removes a tiny piece of the uterine lining for laboratory testing.
  • A hysteroscopy is performed by inserting a thin, lighted tube through the vagina to examine the cervix and uterus.
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Abnormal bleeding treatments

Image of a happy lady trreated for her abnormal bleeding condition

Treatment depends upon your test results. Your physician will use your symptoms, examination, medical history, and test results to determine the best course of action for you. Treatment may also depend on whether or not you plan to have children in the future. Some treatments may not make it safe to get pregnant and others may make pregnancy impossible. For patients who are close to menopause, your doctor may recommend waiting to see if your symptoms subside on their own.

Understanding the cause of the bleeding allows your Northwestern OB GYN to develop an appropriate plan to address your abnormal bleeding. The goal is to return your monthly cycle to normal. Although we want to correct the problem quickly using the most conservative approach, non-surgical and surgical options are available.

Medication is often the first line of treatment. This may include:

  • Birth control pills – Hormone treatments such as birth control pills help regulate menstrual cycles and produce lighter periods.
  • NSAIDS – Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen may help lighten bleeding during your period.
  • IUDs – An IUD releases progestin, which can stop heavy bleeding. Many women who use this IUD do not get a period at all.

If medications do not work or are not suitable for your condition, surgical options may be discussed

  • Uterine or endometrial ablation – Uterine ablation is performed in the office to treat very heavy periods. No incisions are needed. The procedure uses heat, cold, or electricity, to ablate or destroy the uterine lining. The lining sheds similar to a menstrual period and then causes scarring that decreases and may even end menstrual bleeding.
  • Hysteroscopy – A hysteroscopy is often a diagnostic tool for abnormal bleeding. However, if fibroids are found to be the cause of your bleeding, a hysteroscopy can be a treatment as well. It is a minimally-invasive procedure that is performed without damaging the healthy uterine tissue.
  • Hysterectomy – A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. The fallopian tubes and ovaries may or may not be removed as well. This is often the last resort when other treatments have not worked.

For more information on abnormal uterine bleeding and our treatment options, contact your Northwestern gynecologist for an appointment. Call 312-440-9400.

 

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women’s healthcare, our team of experts is dedicated to providing every woman highest level of sensitive, specialized care

At Northwestern Women's Health Associates

your unique needs are our highest priority.

Making use of advanced technology and staying on the cutting edge of women’s healthcare, our team of experts is dedicated to providing every woman who visits our office with the highest level of sensitive, specialized care. At our office in Chicago, you can receive exceptional obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) services from any one of our highly skilled doctors, including Stanley Friedell, MD; Abbie Roth, MD; Regina Belmonte, MD; Sharon Wise, MD; Julianne Morton, MD; Whitney Dunn, MD; Aleena Lakhanpal, MD ; and Margaret Kistner, MD. With their combined expertise, this team of board-certified doctors at Northwestern Women's Health Associates makes it possible for you to receive efficient, personalized care from the preeminent women’s hospital in the Midwest.

Success Stories

  • 5 Star Review
    "Wonderful experience with Dr. Julianne Morton @ NW Women's Associates. I've recommended her to countless girlfriends. Being a first time mom, I went through many physical symptoms and emotions that accompany pregnancy. She is extremely thorough, patient, and has wonderful bedside manner. I felt confident going into delivery with Dr. Morton taking the lead with my delivery. Wonderful practice!"

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "Dr. Morton is absolutely amazing. She cared for me throughout my first pregnancy and we found her to be kind and caring and straightforward - could not have asked for a better experience! Dr. Dunn ended up being on call during my delivery and she was great as well. I have always found the nurses and office staff to be friendly and on top of things - very happy with the practice!"

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "I had to have a laproscopic hysterectomy done by Dr. Friedell and all went fabulously! They were very detailed in pre-op which made a lot of difference. I came out of surgery feeling great and post op I was back to work within two weeks. Everyone at the practice, at the hospital, at pre-op were incredible."

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "Dr.Julianne Morton is amazing! I was recommended by a friend when I moved to the Chicago area and was looking for an OB-GYN. I have seen her for two years in Chicago for my yearly exam. She is beyond kind and great at what she does. Dr.Morton makes you feel very comfortable and is such an incredible doctor! I have recommended her to all of my friends as well who need a new gyno/OB-GYN."

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "Dr. Morton is a really great doctor. She has an incredible bedside manner and makes you feel comfortable. She makes sure to ask if you have any questions and will happily answer all of them with you. Would highly recommend!"

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "Dr. Friedell is amazing! He helped delivered my first baby and the whole process was super smooth and stress free. All the staff in the office are super friendly too. Highly recommend!"

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "Dr Freidell is extremely knowledgeable, thorough and really cares about his patients. He is very good at getting to the root of the problem, especially with overlapping symptoms. He guided me through all my options and their implications. I will highly recommend him and his team."

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "I love Dr. Belmonte. I have been going to her since 2006! She rocks!!! She is straight to the point, I love that about her. When I leave her office after seeing her I always feel great, like a just left a good friends house or something!"
    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review

    "I can not tell you how wonderful my experiences have been. Dr. Sharon Wise is my doctor and she is fantastic. She is straightforward and honest about treatments and procedures. I enjoy her sense of humor, and I found her bedside manner when delivering my son to be excellent. "

    VIA Google