Treatment:

Young women within a few years of their first period are often not treated unless symptoms are very severe, such as heavy blood loss causing anemia.

In other women, the goal of treatment is to control the menstrual cycle. Treatment may include:

• Birth control pills or progesterone only pills
• Intrauterine device (IUD) that releases the hormone progestin
• Ibuprofen or naproxen taken just before the period starts

The health care provider may recommend iron supplements for women with anemia.

If you want to get pregnant, you may be given medication to stimulate ovulation.

Women with severe symptoms that do not get better with other treatments may consider the following procedures if they no longer want to have children:

• Endometrial ablation or resection to destroy or remove the lning of the uterus
• Hysterectomy to remove the uterus
• D and C to remove polyps and diagnose certain conditions

Expectations (prognosis):

Hormone therapy usually relieves symptoms. Treatment may not be needed if you do not develop anemia due to blood loss.

Complications:

• Infertility (inability to get pregnant)
• Severe anemia due to a lot of blood loss over time
• Increased risk for endometrial cancer

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have unusual vaginal bleeding.