Bleeding Between Periods
By: Tsou JinyeuTotal Views: 79, Word Count: 993,
Vaginal bleeding is very common it may be due to menstrual cycle, irregular periods, hysterectomy or due to any other reason. Bleeding between periods needs through investigation as it could be serious. You never know when this bleeding will occur and this is frustrating and stressful.
Other names for bleeding between periods
- Intermenstrual bleeding
- Irregular menstruation
- Midcycle bleeding
- Vaginal post-menopausal
When to consult your doctor
- You have reached post-menopausal stage or are less than 11 years of age
- Check if the bleeding is from vagina or the rectum
- There is blood in your urine
- Bleeding lasts more than a week
- You are pregnant
- You have fever and abnormal vaginal discharge
Causes of Bleeding between periods
- Post-menopausal
- Pregnancy
- Implantation bleeding
- Miscarriage
- Hormone fluctuations
- Irregularity in taking oral contraception pills or estrogens
- Low thyroid levels
- High stress levels
- IUD’s cause slight bleeding
- Injury to the vagina
- Malignant cancers
- Undiagnosed vaginal infection
- Vaginal dryness
Home care for Bleeding between periods
- You should take bed rest in case of in-between period bleeding
- Make note of the dates and tampons or pads used in your menstrual cycle calendar
- Never take asprin during your menstruation cycle as it triggers longer and heavier bleeding
- Inform your doctor about any kind of bleeding or spotting and your other experiences or your full medical history and over the counter medicines
- Get a pelvic examination an a pap smear done
- Check out if you experience menstrual cramps, pelvic pain or burning during urination
- Does anything relieve it or help in preventing it
- Use tampons and make sure that the bleeding is from the vagina and not the rectum. You should see your doctor in any case, but this will help in fast treatment
Facts and questions to answer
You will have to do some self examination and collect some information. It will help your doctor in correct diagnosis the reason of your midcycle bleeding. Some of the questions frequently asked by your doctor are given below.
- Age your period started
- If abnormal bleeding in the past
- You take birth control pills and what kind
- Are you sexually active
- Have you taken any medical or surgical treatments in the past
- Do you have difficult and painful urination
- Have you noticed if bleeding is aggravated due to any reason
- Is there bleeding during or after intercourse
Tests to determine the cause of bleeding between periods
- Pap smear
- Endometrial biopsy
- Pelvic ultrasound
- Other tests like thyroid test, CBC, pregnancy test, serum ferrtin test
Management of bleeding between the periods
- You cannot stop the bleeding directly and it should be managed properly. You should investigate the main cause of vaginal bleeding as it is a common symptom for many other complex problems.
- Iron supplements to prevent anemia
- Treatment for cervical erosion like thermal cautry, laser or microwave therapy
- Treatment for Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
- Cervicitis can be treated by taking antibiotics, electrocautry of follicles
Bleeding between periods or intermenstrual bleeding is very serious. You should investigate the cause of irregular menstruation and take medical advice. This article on bleeding between periods aims at providing you with the detailed information in the matter.
About the Author
Dr Tsou Jinyeu is a well known gynecologist and has been in this field since 1995. His special interests are – genetic and birth defects, high risk obstetrics, lupus in pregnancy, premature labour, premature delivery, triplets and ultrasound diagnosis. He is graduated from the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. Nowdays he is working as a medical doctor at Elmhurst Loyola Center for Health.
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