Irregular bleeding: Menstrual periods last about five days, on average, and blood loss is generally about 4 ounces or 8 tablespoons. Many women experience one “heavy” day during their period, preceded and followed by lighter-flow days. It may be normal for some women to experience heavier bleeding-up to twice the average amount-and still be within the normal range. But some women may have even heavier bleeding for more days in a row, in addition to clots and cramping. If at any time you’re experiencing consistently heavy bleeding, clots or cramping, contact your physician. Treatment for irregular bleeding during periods can involve prescription drugs or surgery if the bleeding is severe.

Uterine fibroids: Uterine fibroids are nodules of smooth muscle and tissue that form within the wall of the uterus. Uterine fibroids aren’t cancerous, but they can cause excessive or painful bleeding during menstruation, frequent urination or infertility. Until recently, hysterectomy was the only treatment. Now, however, doctors have found that fibroids may not require any intervention beyond over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, or prescription drugs for more bothersome cases.

Endometriosis: At the end of every menstrual cycle, women have their period, which is the discharge of endometrium, or menstrual fluid, from inside the uterus. This endometrial tissue can also grow on the outside of the uterus, and it can break apart and bleed during your period. The problem? Blood from the displaced tissue on the outside of the uterus may have no place to go, causing the surrounding tissues to become inflamed or swollen. The inflammation may produce scar tissue, which may, in turn, develop into lesions or growths. While the treatment for endometriosis has varied over the years, doctors now agree that if the symptoms are mild, no treatment other than medication for pain may be needed. It's very important to talk to your doctor about sexual discomfort. You may be uncomfortable bringing it up, but your gynecologist can help explain and treat your concerns.

Vaginal dryness: Many women experience vaginal dryness during intercourse. Dryness can often be dependent on a woman's age and mitigating factors in her life. If a younger woman has this issue and has been on birth control for a long time, there may not be enough estrogen present, and she may need to change her birth control. For a busy mom, she may not be taking enough time to engage in foreplay and arousal before sex, leading to dryness. If a woman is postmenopausal and has dryness, it can be due to low estrogen, and her gynecologist can prescribe vaginal estrogen.

Journal of Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine is an interdisciplinary journal that explores clinical, medical, social and economic aspects of female reproductive health and medication worldwide. Authors can submit manuscript as an e-mail attachment to the Editorial Office at https://www.imedpub.com/submissions/womens-health-reproductive-medicine.html Media Contact John Kimberly Associate Managing Editor Journal of Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine Email: womenshealth@emedscholar.com