"The first day of your period hasn't arrived yet, and you're noticing blood spots in your underwear? Don't panic! Such bleeding outside of your period is not the norm, but in most cases, it is benign."
Bleeding outside of menstruation: Definition
The menstruation in women of childbearing age is characterized by bleeding during each menstrual cycle. On average, there is a more or less significant blood loss every 28 days. This natural, cycle-specific bleeding, which lasts three to six days, must be distinguished from abnormal bleeding that occurs outside of the period.
If you notice small blood spots on your underwear, even though you are not expecting your period, you may be suffering fromspotting (metrorrhagia, also known as spotting). This unusual blood loss from the vagina can occur due to diseases, injuries of the cervix, hormonalimbalance, etc. This type of bleeding can even occur when your first period has not yet started or when you are in menopause .
"Normally, the blood of a metrorrhagia is brown or dark red in color. It flows slowly, sometimes only in drops from the uterine cavity. Additionally, it can be distinguished from menstrual bleeding by its occasional occurrence ."
"Bleeding outside of menstruation: Causes and consequences"
"Metrorrhagia can have very different causes. Only a gynecologist or general practitioner is able to determine the exact causes of this unusual blood loss."
What are the causes of metrorrhagia?
If you suffer from spotting , other symptoms may also occur regardless of whether the bleeding is heavy or not. In fact, bleeding outside of the period can sometimes be accompanied by pain, e.g. pain in the lower abdomen, but also vaginal discharge. In any case, abnormal bleeding can have the following causes:
- An ectopic pregnancy or intermenstrual bleeding: After the egg is fertilized by the sperm, it usually implants itself in the uterus. However, it can also implant on the outside of the uterus, for example, on one of the fallopian tubes. This phenomenon is referred to as ectopic pregnancy and often causes bleeding and pain. Fortunately, pregnancy-related bleeding is not always a bad sign; you may also have intermenstrual bleeding. One of the reasons for this light bleeding is the implantation of the embryo into the uterine lining.
- Hormonal Contraceptives: Especially during the initial period of use, hormonal contraceptives can cause metrorrhagia due to the imbalance between the secretion of estrogen and progesterone . These include the pill, the IUD , as well as the contraceptive patch and other hormone-releasing contraceptives. Similarly, taking the pill afterwards or forgetting to take a hormonal contraceptive can lead to such an imbalance.
- An organic cause: Damage to the cervix from a spiral, a swab or through sexual intercourse can be sufficient to cause unusual bleeding. Intermenstrual bleeding can also arise from conditions such as an infection of the fallopian tubes (salpingitis), inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis), and an infection of the vagina and vulva (vulvo-vaginitis) occur. Additionally, abnormal bleeding can also be associated with endometriosis, endometritis (inflammation of the uterine lining), vaginal polyps, uterine fibroids ... In more severe cases, the genital tract may also be damaged by tumors of the cervix, the ovaries or the uterine lining.
- Psychological Factors and Sleep Deprivation : In times of high stress or strong emotions, your body may experience hormonal disturbances that can sometimes lead to bleeding outside of your period. Similarly, your body can get out of rhythm, if you sleep too little or have a jetlag after a long trip.
- Perimenopause: If you are around 40 years old, your bleeding may simply be a sign of perimenopause ; your cycles may then be less regular and your period may occur more unexpectedly.
"Bleeding in girls aged 10 to 16 who have not yet had a period can simply be their first menstrual period."
What are the consequences of metrorrhagia?
A metrorrhagia is not a normal phenomenon, but it does not necessarily have to have a worrying cause. Nevertheless, it is advisable to consult a specialist to determine whether you are suffering from a specific pathology or another potentially serious illness.
An ectopic pregnancy, for example, can be fatal for the affected woman. Likewise a cancer tumor in the genital tract must be treated as quickly as possible. Certain other conditions must also be treated, as only with appropriate therapy can abnormal bleeding and its possible symptoms be stopped.
Aside from possible health consequences, bleeding outside of menstruation can be burdensome in everyday life. Its unpredictability can cause stress and affect the sexual life of the women involved. The menstrual underwear is the ideal and one hundred percent reliable solution to avoid any type of spotting, leakage, or unexpected discharge.
Diagnosis and treatment of spotting
Metrorrhagia: the diagnosis
"To stop such irregular bleeding, the diagnosis of the gynecologist is crucial. He will perform a general auscultation, take a smear, request blood tests etc. If necessary, he may perform a ultrasound or even an endometrial biopsy ."
Possible treatments for spotting
Once the cause of the metrorrhagia is determined, the treatment can vary significantly. If the specialist diagnoses cancer, chemotherapy and/or radiation may be administered. In the case of an ectopic pregnancy, quick action is required: the pregnancy is terminated through an emergency surgery. Uterine fibroids can also be surgically removed. If the cause is hormonal, an alternative contraceptive method may be suggested. This also applies in the case of endometriosis, as well as the surgical procedure that can alleviate pain and other symptoms associated with the pathology. Bleeding due to infections is treated with antibiotics. And in cases of mental disorders, therapy and relaxation sessions may be prescribed.
"See a specialist if you have bleeding outside of your regular menstruation. They can ensure that it is benign, and if not, they can prescribe you the appropriate treatment."
