Medical term of vaginal bleeding between periods is “intermenstrual bleeding.” If you have cramping and bleeding between periods keep reading the articles to find out typical causes of it.
Factors to consider
Regular menstrual circulation lasts about 5 days. It produces an overall blood loss of 30 to 80 ml (about 2 to 8 tablespoons), and happens normally every 21 to 35 days.
Vaginal bleeding that occurs in between periods or after menopause can be caused by various problems. A lot of are benign and treatable. Often vaginal bleeding might be because of cancer or pre-cancer. So any uncommon bleeding needs to be examined quickly. The risk of cancer increases to about 10% in women with postmenopausal bleeding.
Ensure that bleeding is originating from the vagina and is not from the rectum or the urine. Inserting a tampon into the vagina will validate the vagina, cervix, or uterus as the source of bleeding.
A careful test by your health care service provider is most often the best method to discover the source of the bleeding. This test can be done even while you are bleeding.
Causes of Vaginal Bleeding Between Periods
Causes might include:
- Uterine fibroids or cervical or uterine polyps
- Changes in hormone levels
- Inflammation or infection of the cervix (cervicitis)
- Injury or disease of the vaginal opening (caused by sexual intercourse, trauma, infection, polyp, genital warts, ulcer, or varicose veins)
- IUD use (may cause occasional finding)
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Miscarriage
- Other pregnancy complications
- Vaginal dryness due to lack of estrogen after menopause
- Stress
- Stopping and starting contraceptive pill or estrogens
- Underactive thyroid (low thyroid function)
- Use of blood thinners (anticoagulants)
- Cancer or pre-cancer of the cervix, uterus, or (very hardly ever) fallopian tube
- Cervical or endometrial biopsy or other procedures
and Cramps
Experiencing cramps between your periods is unusual, however not unusual. Generally, cramps are caused by your uterus contracting in order to shed the uterine lining. The actual contraction is what you’re feeling when you experience menstrual cramps. However what does it indicate when you have cramps and bleeding in between periods?
Pregnancy
The most common response is pregnancy. Although you will not have the typical identifying or bleeding, you’ll still experience some cramping. This occurs after the fertilization process, when the embryo attaches itself to the uterus wall. The muscles of the uterine wall agreement to make room inside the uterus for the fetus.
This is best detected with a pregnancy test. If you are pregnant, you must take the needed steps accordingly. In case you aren’t pregnant, your doctor will inform you how to get the right diagnosis.
Mittelschmerz
When your ovaries release an egg into the fallopian tube, you might experience a cramping sensation. This is called Mittelschmerz. This feeling lasts typically for only a few hours, however there are cases where Mittelschmerz lasts as long as two days.
Home Care
Contact a supplier immediately if bleeding is very heavy.
Monitor the number of pads or tampons used over time so that the quantity of bleeding can be figured out. Uterine blood loss can be approximated by keeping track of how frequently a pad or tampon is soaked and how typically one needs to be changed.
Because aspirin might extend bleeding, it should be avoided, if possible. However, NSAIDS such as ibuprofen can be used to lessen bleeding and cramping.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your healthcare supplier if:
- You are pregnant
- There is any unexplained bleeding between periods
- There is any bleeding after menopause
- There is heavy bleeding with periods
- Abnormal bleeding is accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, dizziness
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
The service provider will carry out a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history. The physical exam with include a focus on the pelvic area.
Concerns about the bleeding might include:
- When does the bleeding take place and how long does it last?
- How heavy is the bleeding?
- Do you have cramps too?
- Are there things that make the bleeding even worse?
- Is there anything that avoids it or alleviates it?
- Do you have any other symptoms such as abdominal pain, bruising, pain when urinating, or blood in urine or stools?
Tests that might be done include:
- Blood tests to examine thyroid and ovarian function
- Cervical cultures to check for a sexually transmitted infection
- Colposcopy and cervical biopsy
- Endometrial (uterine) biopsy
- Pap smear
- Pelvic ultrasound
- Hysterosonogram
- Hysteroscopy
- Pregnancy test
Alternative Names
Bleeding between periods; Intermenstrual bleeding; Spotting; Metrorrhagia.
