Women's Healths
Bleeding
Between Periods
Many women experience bleeding or
spotting between periods. It does not necessarily mean a serious condition is
present. Use of an intrauterine device (IUD) may increase your chances of spotting.
Some minor bleeding is common during ovulation and during the first few months
of using birth control pills. Other hormonal birth control methods, such as
Norplant implants and Depo-Provera injections, can cause bleeding between periods.
Women who are breast-feeding often have irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting.
Stress and hormonal imbalances are other common causes of irregular bleeding.
In all of these situations, if the bleeding is not heavy and occurs only occasionally,
there is probably no cause for concern. Avoid aspirin, which may prolong the
bleeding.
There are other, less common causes
of bleeding between periods that may be more serious:
A woman who is pregnant may continue to have 1 or 2 periods
at her usual time. Any bleeding that occurs between those periods is abnormal
and may indicate a problem with the pregnancy.
A woman who is having a miscarriage usually will have cramping,
lower abdominal pain, and vaginal bleeding.
Ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilized
egg attaches somewhere other than the uterus, also called tubal pregnancy)
usually causes lower abdominal pain, and there may be vaginal bleeding.
Noncancerous uterine growths (uterine fibroids) can cause
spotting or bleeding between periods in some women.
A pelvic infection also may cause bleeding between periods.
Fever, cramping pain, painful sexual intercourse, and a bad-smelling vaginal
discharge are other symptoms.
If the opening of the uterus (cervix) is inflamed, there
may be bleeding, especially after sexual intercourse or douching.
A woman who has gone through menopause should no longer have
vaginal bleeding. If she does, she may have an abnormal growth in her uterus
and should see a health professional.
Call 911
or other emergency services if you have severe vaginal bleeding (soaking more
than 8 pads or super tampons in 8 hours) and signs of shock (See
Shock).
Call a
health professional:
If you are pregnant and have any vaginal bleeding.
If you have new lower abdominal pain with unexpected vaginal
bleeding.
If the bleeding is severe, but you do not have signs of
shock.
If you have irregular vaginal bleeding and a fever of 37.8°C
(100°F) or higher.
If bleeding between periods lasts longer than 1 week or
occurs 3 months in a row.
If bleeding occurs after sexual intercourse or douching.
If you are over 35 and have any bleeding between periods
or prolonged bleeding with periods.
If you are using a hormonal method of birth control and
your periods are different from what your doctor told you to expect.
If bleeding recurs after you have gone through menopause.
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