Ch-ch-ch-changes—when it comes to a woman’s health, they are never ending.

Just when we settle into each phase of our lives, a new one rolls around to throw us for a loop.

What can we do? Well, we can start by getting educated on what to expect and how to handle what’s coming our way. After all, forewarned is forearmed, right?

On Thursday, October 20 at 7:00 pm, in conjunction with CentraState Medical Center’s Live. Laugh. Learn.: Ladies Wellness Workshop, Healthy Woman’s own Dr. Susan Pacana dishes on the many splendored changes you’ll go through from adolescence to menopause, including the latest ways to deal with heavy periods, fibroids and endometriosis.

Join her for this not-to-be-missed open and honest seminar.

It’s more girl talk than lecture, so come prepared with questions!

See you at the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus 901 West Main Street in Freehold!

For more information, go to www.centrastate.com/livelaughlearn or call us at 732.431.1616.

Menorrhagia, when your period is so heavy that it interferes with your normal routine (this might involve changing your pad or tampon every hour or two for days, or a period that lasts longer than a week), has numerous causes, which include:

Ovulation issues. If your ovaries aren’t functioning properly and releasing an egg, your hormones are thrown off balance and menorrhagia can result. This is most common in girls first getting their periods and women approaching menopause, but it can happen anytime.

IUDs. Although intrauterine devices (IUDs) are one of the most effective forms of birth control, the nonhormonal (copper) variety can come with the side effect of heavy bleeding.

Fibroids and polyps. Small growths like fibroids on your uterus or polyps on your uterine wall can affect the flow and length of your period.

Bleeding disorders. Having a condition that impacts your blood’s ability to clot could lead to excessively heavy periods.

Medications. Different types of medicines can make your period heavier or longer than it normally would be, particularly anticoagulants (which stop blood from clotting) and anti-inflammatory medications.

Miscarriage. A one-time occurrence of menorrhagia in which your period comes later than expected could be due to miscarriage.

There are plenty of other causes, too—such as cancer, thyroid problems, a hormone imbalance, and endometriosis—and sometimes, there’s no explanation that can be found.

And now for the cures:

If you experience unusually heavy periods, see your Healthy Woman doctor to discuss treatment options. Birth control pills and Mirena, a hormonal IUD, are two therapies that not only prevent pregnancy but can also help with heavy periods. Also, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil, Motrin and Aleve) relieve cramps and can lessen blood loss. If you’re looking for an easy and lasting solution (not just a temporary quick-fix), we offer a safe, effective, in-office procedure called cryoablation that can help to eliminate heavy periods altogether. Performed under local anesthetic, it only takes 10 to 15 minutes in the comfort of our office. Most patients can leave the office within one hour and experience little to no pain after the procedure.

Five hundred periods is enough as it is—keep them from taking over your life by getting heavy menstrual bleeding checked out.