HEALTH Yeah! Ep32: Heavy Bleeding and Pelvic Pain - Rethinking “Normal”

00:00 Opening and Introductions1:20 What does a "normal" menstrual cycle look like?1:56 Red flags for bleeding that is too heavy2:24 At what point should patients seek care for their periods?2:42 Common causes of heavy periods4:24 Is the cause of heavy or irregular bleeding always identifiable?5:08 Evaluation for endometrial cancer6:03 What are fibroids, and how common are they?6:38 Treatment options for fibroids9:03 Holistic approach to treatment options for heavy bleeding11:44 Surgical treatment options for heavy bleeding14:23 Pelvic pain16:00 What are some conditions that may cause pelvic pain outside of a menstrual cycle?17:40 What is endometriosis?21:00 Evaluating endometriosis22:28 Medical and surgical treatment options for endometriosis26:05 Endometriosis and fertility26:44 If no endometriosis is seen at the time of surgery, what are next steps?27:43 Case studies/success stories28:22 The future of diagnosis and treatment options for endometriosis and pelvic pain30:11 What is minimally-invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS)?31:07 What are some benefits of MIGS?32:35 When should patients seek care from a MIGS specialist?33:50 Closing RemarksIn this episode, we break down what’s normal—and not—when it comes to menstrual cycles, heavy bleeding, and pelvic pain. We cover key warning signs, common causes like fibroids, and when it’s time to seek care.Our experts also dive into endometriosis, including how it’s diagnosed, treated, and its impact on fertility.Experts in the studio:Xun (Julie) Lian, MD, FACOGDirector, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Gynecologic Surgery Division, Stony Brook MedicineSara Kim, MD, FACOGMinimally Invasive and Robotic Gynecologic Surgery, Stony Brook MedicineCaitlin Waters, MD, FACOGMinimally Invasive and Robotic Gynecologic Surgery, Stony Brook Medicine*DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.*Description of Video Studio: News desk with Stony Brook Medicine logo on the front. Big screen is behind experts with HEALTH Yeah! logo.