Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
You do not have to worry about vaginal bleeding. Every month, a woman experiences vaginal bleeding during the menstrual cycle when the uterine lining breaks down. The amount and period of the bleeding differs from woman to woman.
What is Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding?
You can tell if vaginal bleeding is normal or not based on the time of the month when the vaginal bleeding occurs and on how much the bleeding is.
Vaginal bleeding can be considered abnormal for premenopausal women who experience the following:
* Bleeding that occurs outside your menstruation
* Immoderate menstrual bleeding
* Menstruating for a week or more
* Bleeding that results in anemia
* Abnormal bleeding of the genital tract because of uterine tissue problems such as endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial polyps, infection, and others
* Fibromyoma
* Uterine cancer
* Cervical cancer
* Obesity
* Polycystic ovaries
Pregnant women may experience abnormal vaginal bleeding when the placenta overlaps with the cervix completely or partially or when the placenta separates from the uterine wall. Abnormal bleeding may also occur when the pregnancy is ectopic (in the tubes), when a woman gives birth, or when a miscarriage occurs.
Women who have not had menstruation for at least a year should be more watchful of abnormal vaginal bleeding symptoms, as the bleeding may be caused by serious medical conditions such as the following:
* endometrial hyperplasia
* cervical or endometrial polyps
* endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus)
* vaginitis
* unopposed estrogen
How to Identify Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
It is very helpful for you to be mindful of your menstrual cycle and the type of vaginal bleeding you experience. Should you suspect that your vaginal bleeding is no longer normal, be sure to consult your doctor to get proper diagnosis and treatment if necessary.
To evaluate your abnormal vaginal bleeding symptoms, your doctor will look into the following:
Pregnancy
Some women may not be aware that they are pregnant. Vaginal bleeding can occur during the early stages of pregnancy.
Bleeding pattern
Your doctor will check how much vaginal bleeding you experience, how often you experience the bleeding, and how long the bleeding lasts. Your vaginal bleeding may be considered abnormal if your menstruation is either too light or too heavy; if your menstruation occurs at irregular intervals; or if your menstruation is shortened or prolonged.
Ovulation
Obese women and those experiencing polycystic ovarian syndrome are those who are prone to ovulation problems that cause abnormal vaginal bleeding. Abnormal vaginal bleeding may occur when a woman’s progesterone levels are very low during the second half of her menstrual cycle and when the woman experiences prolonged and irregular bleeding after not having menstruated for a long time.
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