Published on Oct 28, 2013 and last reviewed on Aug 01, 2023 - 3 min read
Abstract
Intermenstrual vaginal bleeding or spotting or bleeding between periods is considered abnormal and may usually require a patient to see a doctor.
Causes of Intermenstrual bleeding:
Intermenstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods can be caused by a vast number of factors which may be physical or organic and psychosocial. If you are experiencing intermenstrual bleeding, then your doctor maybe a able to rule out one of the below most probable types of causes (from most likely to least likely):
Even though it is always wise to seek your doctor's opinion when ever you experience an abnormal vaginal bleeding, but it is not always necessary. It is best you observe for persistence (when bleeding is severe) or reoccurence, then you can then seek doctor's opinion. Other symptoms might also guide you in making the decision (quick enough) to see your doctor or health care provider, such as lower abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, dizziness, fatigue, fever.
At Doctor's Consultation:
Complications of Persistent Intermenstrual Bleeding:
Several complications can arise from a neglected persistent or recurrent intermenstrual bleeding such as:
In most cases, spotting or intermenstrual bleeding resolves on its own without medical intervention.
Intermenstrual bleeding is also referred to as vaginal bleeding between periods or acute bleeding. It is the bleeding from the uterus which does not represent the normal period. This can occur 10 to 16 days after the last menstruation. There will usually be minimal bleeding, which can last from 12 to 72 hours.
Stress can cause all types of changes in your body. Therefore, women who undergo a large amount of physical or emotional stress can experience bleeding outside of their regular menstrual cycle. This process is referred to as breakthrough bleeding, which occurs in response to a high-stress level.
Intermenstrual bleeding is the most common complaint among women under the age of 40 years. It can occur due to infection of the cervix or the uterus, injury or disease of the vaginal opening caused due to infection, intercourse, polyp, trauma, ulcers, genital warts or varicose veins, or ovulation. Ovulation bleeding occurs at the time of ovulation in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Still, in a study, it has been found that only 5 % of women will experience spotting or bleeding in between their periods due to ovulation.
Spotting or brown bleeding can occur during ovulation or between the periods. Sometimes you may get brown discharge during the early pregnancy at the time of the period, which would normally come. The brown blood may look drier, thicker, and clumpier than regular; this can be due to oxidation, which is the usual process.
To stop hormonal bleeding naturally, you can use:
- Fennel, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, reduces menstrual symptoms and decreases blood flow length during your period.
- Ginger, to alleviate heavy bleeding.
- Myrtle fruit syrup to overcome heavy menstruation.
- Raspberry leaf has a muscle-relaxing property that can reduce uterine contractions.
Intermenstrual bleeding can occur due to various problems, but most are benign and can be easily treated, and others may denote some serious underlying cause.
To stop bleeding, you can take:
- Birth control pills and other hormone treatments may give you regular menstrual cycles and lighter periods.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) stop your body from making certain hormones.
- Tranexamic acid.
- NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug).
- IUD (intrauterine device).
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, or GnRH, agonist, is the best medication useful to stop menstrual bleeding. This drug imitates a hormone in the human body produced in the pituitary gland in the brain. This hormone will stimulate the ovaries to develop eggs and produce estrogen, which enables the menstrual cycle.
PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is the most commonly occurring hormonal problem among women of childbearing age. PCOS can cause numerous symptoms like intermenstrual bleeding or irregular bleeding.
Women can have bleeding or spotting during early pregnancy, which is considered a normal part of the pregnancy. It can occur in 20 % of pregnancies, and most of these women will have healthy pregnancies.
The main difference between spotting and periods is the amount of blood that gets expelled. Periods can occur for several days, usually from 5 to 7 days, that requires a pad or a tampon to absorb the flow. But, in the case of spotting, only a small quantity of blood gets expelled, and it does not require any of these products to control.
It is usual to have bleeding during the first trimester. According to a study, 30 % of women can have bleeding or spotting during early pregnancy, which is considered a normal part of the pregnancy. But if you have cramps or pelvic pain with clots and active bleeding, you need to seek medical advice because something might be wrong.
Last reviewed at:
01 Aug 2023 - 3 min read
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