See Blood. Say Blood.
Don't ignore abnormal bleeding. It could be serious.
A 2018 study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology concluded that the lack of recognition and evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding is associated with advanced stage diagnosis for uterine cancer.
When we think about uterine cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hormone imbalances, abnormal bleeding often shows up as a symptom.
We are encouraged to recognize the signs for ourselves, but we are rarely, if at all, given lessons on all of the ways uterine health condition symptoms can show up. When we are diagnosed with a condition, we often assume blame or guilt for what we didn’t do.
Because all of our bodies are different, how do we really know what is normal and what is considered abnormal or unhealthy? How do we take action when it is not clear exactly what we should be doing?
Let’s Start with the Basics
Learn Your Body
To know when something has changed or may be wrong, you have to know how your body normally behaves. This will vary from person to person, so it isn’t best practice to base health decisions on anyone else. Start by asking yourself questions like:
When do I normally have a period?
How long do my periods typically last?
What does the blood usually look like?
What symptoms do I experience most often before, during and after my period?
Consider keeping a journal or using a phone app that tracks your menstrual cycle and sexual activity. Over time and consistent use, this can help you identify patterns that may be important to mention to your doctor.
Seek Help Immediately
The decision to seek the help of a doctor or medical professional involves many factors, such as health insurance, scheduling availability, taking time off from work, transportation, and child care. We know and understand.
We want you to get in the habit of talking about how you feel to people you trust, which hopefully includes a doctor as soon as you are able.
See Blood. Say Blood.
As soon as you notice that your body is not behaving how it normally does, say something.
It doesn’t matter how small or unimportant we think our symptoms are–we cannot physically afford the risk of staying silent. When it comes to our health, we are our biggest advocates, and the best way to get what we need is to speak up.
Follow Up
If your symptoms are persistent, and you have not gotten relief or answers to the questions you have about how your body is behaving, follow up. We cannot stress this enough.
Statistically, Black women suffer poorer health outcomes more often than other groups. We are subjected to harmful stereotypes, implicit bias, and systemic racism within the healthcare system that often does not prioritize quick-response, high-quality, or guideline-appropriate treatment for us.
It is within our right to ask questions, seek the opinion of more than one physician, and request medical records that let us know how our health is being documented.
Click here to explore nine strategies that can help you take charge of your health.
Types of Abnormal Bleeding
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Heavy Bleeding
Variations in the color of your period blood are normal. The color is worth noting, and it can never hurt to mention to your doctor, but we want to focus on the amount of blood. If you are soaking through sanitary products several times a day or you are experiences large clots, this may be a sign of something more serious. You should also take note if heavy bleeding is accompanied by other symptoms.
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Irregular Bleeding
Irregular bleeding can mean bleeding for long periods of time, having more than one period within a month, or bleeding between periods. Stress, diet, and other lifestyle factors can cause slight changes from time to time, but generally, you should not be bleeding for weeks or months at a time. If you are bleeding, especially heavily and any longer than a week, it is worth a visit to the doctor.
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Spotting
Spotting, especially accompanied by other symptoms or an abnormal smell, can be a sign of something more serious. Spotting does not often cause alarm for most people because it is light in nature, but it is always worth mentioning to your doctor. Spotting between periods, during pregnancy, or during menopause should be evaluated as soon as possible.