I saw the red spot again.. Wait, what?
No, it’s not the time when I get my period: then why am I bleeding?
You feel awful and can certainly get a panic attack. I am sure many of you can relate to this. No wonder, it’s completely normal.
You are probably experiencing another episode of vaginal bleeding… Or sometimes abnormal vaginal bleeding!
Let’s dive deeper into the details of vaginal bleeding other than menstruation!
Table of Contents
Normal vs Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
Women bleed throughout their lives…
Women start shedding blood as soon as their first period arrives and continue it unless their ovaries stop producing eggs or they hit menopause. No matter what age or phase they are at, normal VAGINAL BLEEDING remains there (well, putting pregnancy as an exception). Duration of the cycle and even the extent and severity of this bleeding phase varies individually.
Bleeding on days other than when you are on your menstrual cycle, is something you can call abnormal vaginal bleeding. Even having abnormally high blood flow while being on your periods is also considered abnormal bleeding.
The medical term for abnormal vaginal bleeding in METRORRHAGIA aka INTERMENSTRUAL BLEEDING!!!
Causes of Vaginal Bleeding
Many things can make you see the unwanted blood spots. Here is all you need to know about vaginal bleeding causes.
1- Hormonal Imbalance
Women know what it means to have regulated hormones!
Getting their periods on time, no unintended weight gain or loss, hormonal acne-free skin and much more.
Unfortunately, when your hormones don’t do well, you tend to experience abnormal vaginal bleeding. Progesterone and estrogen are two important hormones to be blamed here. When it comes to regulating hormonal levels, many things can take a toll on your hormonal health. This includes;
Compromised ovary function due to any medical condition
- Being on hormonal therapy
- Beginning or stopping birth control pills
- Poor thyroid function
All these things can disrupt your hormonal balance and you can suffer from intermenstrual bleeding.
2- Pregnancy Complications
Bleeding episodes during pregnancy. It’s not always the miscarriage!
The journey to motherhood can be sometimes more complicated than you think!
From seeing early pregnancy signs to holding your newborn in your hands, it comes with many unforeseen challenges. Sometimes pregnancy complications can result in vaginal bleeding. One example of such complications is the wrong implantation of a zygote aka tiny human.
When the zygote mistakenly places itself in areas other than the womb, then this can result in vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. This type of pregnancy is known as ectopic pregnancy. Though, bleeding during pregnancy should be immediately consulted with the doctor.
3- Infection
Notorious vaginal bacteria are causing you to bleed again!
Just like your gut, your vagina houses thousands of tiny bacteria that are required for optimal health. A healthy vaginal flora or good vaginal bacteria are needed to protect you against infections. However, when this vaginal flora gets imbalanced, it increases your chances of suffering from an infection.
This bacterial imbalance or infection with other types of bacteria can result in vaginal inflammation and vaginal bleeding. This can include STIs and other types of cervical and uterine infections.
4- Uterine Fibroids
According to stats, 40-80% of women are affected by uterine fibroids. Without knowing it!
The appearance of a cellular mass in your womb can also make you bleed in between your periods. Uterine fibroids refer to the non-cancerous growth in your womb.
These cells are non-cancerous hence, they don’t spread to other areas but of course, can give you a tough time and you end up seeing abnormal vaginal bleeding.
5- Reproductive Tract Cancer
Reproductive tract cancer is next on the list of causes of abnormal uterine bleeding. Tumor growth in the uterus, cervix, ovaries or even in your vaginal area can make you shed blood. These cancers are pretty common among women and can contribute to inter menopausal bleeding.
6- Perimenopause
Perimenopause or the time just before menopause (when your body stops producing eggs and a woman no longer remains fertile) can cause result in abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Perimenopausal bleeding can also be due to structural and non-structural causes. Sometimes the thickening of your womb lining can cause you to bleed between your periods. So, it’s important for women to prepare for menopause right.
7- Medications
Medication is next in the list of abnormal vaginal bleeding causes. There are certain medications that increase your risk of vaginal bleeding. They can be hormonal disruptors or any other type of medication. Though vaginal bleeding due to medication is rare but can contribute to the risk of vaginal bleeding.
Other than all these causes of stress, abnormal weight gain and any injury to your vagina can also serve as the reason behind abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Self Management of Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
What can you do to cure abnormal vaginal bleeding?
Well, your physician can come up with a treatment plan according to your symptoms, severity and existing medical condition. The treatment of abnormal vaginal bleeding is often possible with medication. However, there are certain tips that can help you with self-management.
- Eating a Balanced Diet – A diet full of the right nutrients can be one of the easiest things to do if you want to control abnormal vaginal bleeding. Add protein-rich foods to your diet as well as limit the consumption of high fat and high carbs diets. You can not only maintain a healthy weight with the right dietary choices but can also manage conditions like PCOS and thyroid.
- Sleep Well – Maintain good sleep hygiene in order to make your body function better. Whether use essential oil based aromatherapy or use other sleep aids, improving your sleep hygiene can surely help you.
- Workout – Add a little bit of physical activity to your everyday routine. Even mild physical activity can do wonders and can improve your hormonal health to a greater extent.
- Consult your Gynecologist – If nothing seems to improve your condition and you continue to experience these episodes of abnormal vaginal bleeding, then make sure to consult your physician. Your gynecologist can help to figure out the underlying cause behind the problem and treat you accordingly to overcome the problem.
You can consult the best gynecologists in Lahore via Healthiwre.pk to make informed decisions regarding your reproductive health.
