When to be worried about abnormal bleeding
ABNORMAL vaginal bleeding can catch a woman by surprise, especially when there are no obvious risk factors for any illnesses, and a doctor can’t immediately identify the cause. But it’s an issue that affects, and will affect, many women, and a lot of us suffer in silence.
The condition is defined as any vaginal bleeding, unrelated to your period, that may include spotting of small amounts of blood between periods — often seen on toilet tissue after wiping — or extremely heavy periods in which you soak a pad or tampon every one to two hours for two or more hours.
The Mayo Clinic says abnormal vaginal bleeding can relate to an issue with your reproductive system (a gynaecological condition) or to other medical problems or certain medications.
If you’re in menopause — generally defined as 12 months, give or take, without a menstrual period — any vaginal bleeding may be a cause for concern and should be evaluated.
Possible causes include:
Cancers and precancerous conditions
Cervical cancer
Endometrial cancer
Endometrial hyperplasia (when the lining of the uterus becomes too thick)
Ovarian cancer
Uterine sarcoma (malignant (cancer) cells form in the muscles of the uterus or other tissues that support the uterus)
Vaginal cancer.
Endocrine system factors
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Stopping or changing birth control pills or menopausal hormone therapy.
Fertility and reproduction factors
Ectopic pregnancy
Fluctuating hormone levels
Miscarriage (before 20th week)
Pregnancy
Random ovulatory cycles
Sexual intercourse
Perimenopause
Vaginal atrophy (genitourinary syndrome of menopause).
Infections
Cervicitis
Chlamydia trachomatis
Endometritis
Gonorrhoea
Pelvic inflammatory disease Ureaplasma vaginitis
Vaginitis.
Medical conditions
Celiac disease
Severe systemic disease, such as kidney or liver disease
Von Willebrand disease (and other blood-clotting disorders).
Medications and devices
Forgotten (retained) tampon
Intrauterine device
Stopping or changing birth control pills or menopausal hormone therapy
Noncancerous growths and other uterine conditions
Adenomyosis
Cervical polyps
Endometrial polyps
Uterine fibroids, uterine polyps.
Trauma
Blunt trauma or penetrating injury to the vagina or cervix
Sexual abuse.
When to see a doctor
If you’re pregnant, contact your doctor immediately if you notice vaginal bleeding.
In general, anytime you experience unexpected vaginal bleeding, consult your doctor. Whether or not vaginal bleeding is normal depends on your age and the circumstances.
Contact your doctor in the following situations:
•Postmenopausal women not taking hormone therapy.
•Postmenopausal women taking cyclic hormone therapy may experience some vaginal bleeding. If you have bleeding other than expected withdrawal bleeding, contact your doctor.
•Postmenopausal women taking continuous hormone therapy may experience light, irregular bleeding for the first six months. If bleeding persists longer or heavy bleeding begins, see your doctor.
•Girls who don’t have any other signs of puberty or are younger than age eight should have any vaginal bleeding investigated.
The following situations are likely normal:
•Newborn girls may have some vaginal bleeding during the first month of life.
•Adolescent girls who have just begun having periods may experience irregular cycles during the first few years.
•Women starting birth control pills may experience occasional spotting the first few months.
•Women nearing menopause may experience increasingly heavy or irregular periods.
