"Are you experiencing unusual bleeding during pregnancy, outside of menstrual periods, or after menopause? It is likely to be spotting. SistersRepublic tells you more about it."
Intermenstrual bleeding: What is it about?
It is often assumed that menstruation and pregnancy are mutually exclusive. However, in some women, bleeding occurs during pregnancy, especially in early pregnancy. This phenomenon is by no means rare; it is usually benign, but it requires the advice of a gynecologist or a midwife to ensure that the pregnancy is progressing well.
These bleedings are not a normal menstruation, but according to medical terminology, they are metrorrhagia, meaning a "breakthrough bleeding". Generally this type of unusual vaginal discharge can also occur after menopause or between periods during puberty. It originates from the uterus and can have various causes that need to be determined through thorough medical examinations.
What are the symptoms of metrorrhagia?
"Do you have abnormal bleeding between menstrual periods, during pregnancy, or in menopause? Then it is likely metrorrhagia. It differs in many ways from a normal menstrual period:"
- "They have a brown color, in contrast to menstruation, which is more red."
- "They do not comewith abdominal pain and cramps accompanying."
- The bleeding is weak.
- These intermenstrual bleeding is usually short and lasts less than the average three to seven days of a normal period.
Other accompanying symptoms such as headaches, nausea, bloating, etc. may occur. Be sure to write them down so you can discuss them with your doctor and help him with the diagnosis.
What are the various causes of metrorrhagia?
What are the causes of intermenstrual bleeding?
The spectrum of causes for intermenstrual bleeding is very broad. Possible causes are:
- Decidual Hematoma: This refers to a detachment of a small part of the placenta during pregnancy. This phenomenon is usually completely harmless and typically does not require any special treatment.
- A cervical injury: During sexual intercourse this can be touched and superficially damaged. This can lead to temporary, light bleeding from the cervix. The same type of irritation can also be caused by a vaginal examination in the gynecological office . Such bleeding occurs particularly during pregnancy, as the cervix is highly vascularized at this time.
- Implantation:A pregnancy begins with the fertilization of the egg by a spermatozoon and the subsequent attachment of the embryo to the uterine wall; this is referred to as implantation . This important stage ten days after fertilization may be marked by a slight pink or brown vaginal discharge. Other symptoms such as nausea may also indicate that a pregnancy is present.
- Hormone:Hormones can also cause metrorrhagia. During pregnancy, they can cause light bleeding during the usual period time. Since the body is accustomed to cyclic hormone fluctuations, it may happen that it continues to have bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy. This can continue for the first two to three months. But don't worry: these secretions have a natural cause and pose no danger to the development of the baby.
- Denial of Pregnancy: In a denial of pregnancy the woman's body behaves as if no embryo is growing in it. The woman menstruates, does not gain weight, and has no typical pregnancy symptoms.
Bleeding that indicates medical complications:
"Even though bleeding during pregnancy is usually not dangerous, it can sometimes be a sign of more serious conditions. These include:"
- Ectopic pregnancy: If you have recently become pregnant and are experiencing vaginal discharge with pain in the uterus, you should see a doctor immediately. It may be an ectopic pregnancy, a potentially dangerous phenomenon.
- Miscarriage: If your bleeding contains blood clots and other tissue remnants and you are experiencing pain in the lower abdomen and heavy bleeding, it may indicate a miscarriage. Contact a doctor immediately. He knows the right measures and can respond quickly.
- Hydatidiform mole: In some cases cancer cells can develop into a tumor without an egg implanting, causing an abnormal growth of the placenta. Even if this formation turns out to be cancerous in only 10% of cases, medical care is necessary. This is called a "hydatidiform mole," where the woman is not pregnant and the pregnancy test is negative.
In the cases described further above, it is no longer just about spotting, but about complications during pregnancy. A visit to a specialist is strongly advised.
Medical examinations for bleeding during pregnancy
If you are pregnant and have bleeding, you should, regardless of accompanying symptoms, see your gynecologist. With a period slip, you can more easily recognize the degree of regularity and the amount of bleeding and inform your doctor about it. He will check whether the fetus is developing properly or if complications are occurring. He will also be able to reassure you if you are worried about bleeding. Your doctor will palpate your abdomen and examine the cervix with a speculum or a vaginal examination. Often, a pelvic ultrasound will be performed and a beta-hCG dose prescribed. The specialist will ensure that the bleeding is not due to a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, or a molar pregnancy.
If you notice an unexpected vaginal discharge, pay attention to accompanying symptoms and consult your doctor. Even though metrorrhagia is usually harmless, other conditions should be ruled out, especially if you are pregnant.
