Dorothy FarrarBleeding outside the period (bleeding between periods)
Almost every woman has experienced bleeding outside of her period (intermenstrual bleeding) . Among the many causes of bleeding outside of the menstrual period, there are some that are harmless. However, they can also indicate serious diseases.
What is intermenstrual bleeding?
Intermenstrual bleeding is the discharge of blood from the uterus that is not related to menstrual bleeding. In the case of intermenstrual bleeding, only a few drops of blood can be lost, but the blood loss can also be of a significantly larger extent.
There is intermenstrual bleeding that only occurs selectively, and others that last for several days or, in extreme cases, even two weeks or even longer. Intermenstrual bleeding should therefore not be taken lightly and, in case of doubt, should always be clarified by a doctor.
Causes
Many intermenstrual bleeding are psychological causes. Extreme emotions of all kinds can trigger extra-menstrual bleeding. Examples are great sadness, extreme joy or shock. Stress can also trigger intermenstrual bleeding.Bleeding between periods can be related to ovulation. A small amount of blood is shed once around the time of ovulation. In early pregnancy, when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus between the fifth and eighth week of pregnancy, a small amount of blood can also leak. In principle, a gynecologist or a hospital should always be consulted in the event of bleeding during pregnancy.
Other possible causes of bleeding between periods are hormonal disorders (e.g. a lack of corpus luteum hormones), sexually transmitted diseases, serious diseases of the female genital organs such as cancer, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes and liver and kidney disorders.
Diseases
When to the doctor?
If the bleeding continues for a longer period of time, it is advisable to see a doctor. It is important against the background of a serious illness, such as B. cancer, to have the causes clarified. Because the impairment in everyday life can be enormous for those affected. This is particularly the case if you constantly go to the toilet and your colleagues notice that you are often not at your desk. Or when colleagues are often asked to borrow a tampon.
It is also advisable to see a doctor if the bleeding is associated with mood swings , because in this case it can also jeopardize work performance and thus the workplace itself. If the bleeding is associated with pain, a doctor should definitely be consulted, even if there is no previous stress in the family history.
An illness as the cause is then very likely and the correct diagnosis is essential. The affected patients are often relieved after they have seen the doctor because the fear and insecurity have fallen off their shoulders and a targeted solution to the problem can now be found together.
Diagnosis and course
To determine what is behind the intermenstrual bleeding, the doctor will ask about the medical history. How common is bleeding outside of the period? How strong are they? How long do they last? Are the bleeding periods accompanied by pain and/or fever? Is the patient pregnant?
The bleeding between periods can possibly be traced back to taking hormone-containing preparations such as the pill. Based on the first suspected diagnosis, the doctor will take a vaginal swab and examine it under a microscope. In this way, some inflammations can already be recognized and diagnosed.
In order to rule out serious diseases of the genital organs, he will examine the vagina and uterus. In addition to the palpation findings, an ultrasound examination provides information about possible reasons for the intermenstrual bleeding. Tumours, fibroids and polyps can be identified easily.
If necessary, a blood test provides further indications of inflammation, hormonal problems or metabolic disorders . An operation such as a uterine or laparoscopy is rarely necessary to clarify the cause of the bleeding between periods.
Complications
Bleeding outside the menstrual period usually has its origin in a disturbed hormonal balance. Very heavy, swelling-like bleeding that is not related to menstruation can also be an indication of complications related to changes in the genital tract. Tumors of the ovaries, the uterus or the vagina can often go unnoticed for a relatively long time.
Tumorous changes in the genital area do not cause any significant symptoms in the early stages. However, once the tumor reaches a certain size, it can start to bleed or irritate other tissue structures with its mass so that bleeding of varying degrees is the result. Known tumors that are being treated can also start bleeding unexpectedly. This complication can also occur after tumor or other operations in the genital area.
Bleeding, especially after operations, can always be an indication of internal wound healing that is not as expected. In addition to the need to treat the wound with another surgical procedure if necessary, bleeding carries the risk of cardiovascular failure. Very heavy bleeding and the resulting loss of blood can lead to rapid loss of consciousness , which can be fatal without prompt intensive care help. Heavy bleeding outside of the menstrual period should therefore always be clarified promptly with regard to its cause.
Treatment and therapy
Harmless intermenstrual bleeding of short duration and with only a small amount of blood often does not require any special treatment. This applies to the minimal bleeding at the time of ovulation, but also to light bleeding after intercourse if a blood vessel has been injured.
Intermenstrual bleeding due to hormonal imbalances is particularly common during puberty and menopause . They are easy to get under control with hormone preparations . If you do not want to take hormone preparations, you can try taking chaste tree. The herb from naturopathy is available over the counter as a tablet. It helps prevent acyclic bleeding. Before that, however, a doctor should rule out that the bleeding between periods is caused by a serious illness.
Patients who take the pill may experience bleeding between periods if the pill dosage is not optimally adjusted. Especially with the so-called mini-pills, bleeding occurs outside of the rule. Switching to a different preparation can help here.
Bleeding that is not related to menstruation may indicate growths in the lining of the uterus, polyps, or growths in the uterus. Intermenstrual bleeding can also indicate cancerous tumors. If intermenstrual bleeding occurs several times in a row and it cannot be assigned to a harmless cause, it must be clarified and the cause treated. Heavy, sudden intermenstrual bleeding should be considered an emergency, especially if it is associated with severe pain!
Outlook and prognosis
Bleeding outside of menses can be for a variety of reasons, but it usually doesn’t last long. If intermenstrual bleeding occurs shortly after starting a hormonal contraceptive method, it should be withdrawn after a few weeks and the woman will get her menstrual bleeding according to the contraceptive intake. If they keep happening, it’s annoying and a reason to switch contraceptives.
If bleeding occurs outside of the rule without such contraception, the prognosis depends on the cause. In the case of hormonal imbalances, the cycle usually returns to normal after a few weeks or months of treatment. If the affected woman remains untreated, new bleeding between periods can occur again and again. Some hormonal imbalances do not require treatment at all, for example in the period after childbirth or after stopping hormonal contraception. During this time, the body only needs a few weeks or months until it has regained its inner balance – but the woman should expect bleeding between periods before that happens.
In the case of serious causes such as cancer of the internal female genital organs, bleeding outside the menses usually disappears depending on the success of the treatment – it can be assumed, however, that it will accompany the woman for a while in the initial period of treatment. Only the doctor can make a prognosis for serious causes and it always depends on how long the cause has existed and what stage it has already reached.
Prevention
If serious illnesses are the cause of the bleeding between periods, these must be treated causally. However, if serious illnesses have been ruled out, patients can prevent further bleeding between periods with a few simple measures.A healthy lifestyle can have a positive effect on the menstrual cycle. This includes a balanced diet, sufficient exercise – as often as possible in the fresh air, if necessary reducing obesity and avoiding too much stress.
Smoking should be given up, if necessary with professional support. The regular check-ups at the gynecologist should be used consistently. This increases the chance that pathological changes in the abdomen can be recognized in good time and treated better. If intermenstrual bleeding occurs again and again during pregnancy , the women concerned should take it easy and avoid stress.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.