The female body is very interesting and complex. Thanks to the hormonal background, monthly changes occur in it. The stability of the cycles indirectly indicates the health of the fairer sex. But often women have to go to the gynecologist with different problems. Often the cause of the visit is bleeding between menstruation. The reasons for their appearance may be different. In today's article, the main ones will be presented.
How is normal?
Before you find out what are the causes of bleeding between menstruation, you need to find out about the menstrual cycle itself. Its average duration is 28 days. But doctors allow a deviation in one direction or another for a week. Even a very long or short cycle can be considered normal if menstruation comes regularly.
Bleeding is the end of the female period. At this time, the contents of the uterus are secreted from the genital tract. The endometrium is rejected and exits with the blood. Next, the formation of new follicles begins under the influence of estrogen. Near the middle of the cycle, the bubbles reach their maximum size and release the egg. More often, one ovulation occurs, but in some women two or more eggs can come out at a certain time. After this, the level of estrogen goes into decline, passing the baton to progesterone. This hormone accelerates the growth of the endometrium, necessary for the attachment of a fertilized cell. But if conception does not occur, then after 12-16 days, progesterone decreases in its concentration, and the next menstruation occurs. It would seem that everything is simple. But why then do bleeding occur between periods? The reasons are discussed in detail below.
Physiological Process: Ovulation
Causes of bleeding between menstruation can be natural. About 3 out of 10 women experience this symptom arising from ovulation regularly. In this case, we are not talking about some kind of pathology. Everything is quite normal and natural.
With ovulation, a rupture of the follicle wall occurs. The egg goes into the abdominal cavity. Small vessels may be damaged at the same time. This causes a slight release of blood. A hormonal surge during this period (a combination of estrogen, progesterone and luteinizing hormone) can also cause blood clotting. It is worth noting that often a woman at the same time feels a pulling pain in the abdomen (mainly on one side). Such symptoms are present no more than three days. More often, blood production is not abundant and ends within 12 hours. Doctors say that such symptoms are not always and not all. But every second woman at least once came across them.
Ovum implantation
The causes of bleeding between menstruation can be hidden in the onset of pregnancy. If sexual contact occurred during the period of ovulation, then there is a high probability of conception. After this, the resulting zygote is sent through the fallopian tubes to the cavity of the genital organ. The whole trip takes from 3 to 10 days. At the same time, progesterone is actively secreted by the corpus luteum. The hormone helps to loosen the endometrium and increase its thickness.
When the fetal egg is in the uterus, it is fixed in a certain area. Nature conceived so that the zygote chooses the most favorable zone. During implantation, small vessels are often damaged. Drops of blood are mixed with secretions and go outside. Outwardly, it looks like a beige-pink or brown daub. Often, women confuse her with the beginning of the next cycle, since bleeding occurs shortly before the expected menstruation. Discharge lasts no more than 1-2 days. This situation is also not a deviation from the norm. These are physiological processes.
The formation of hormonal levels in adolescence
Young girls often experience bleeding between menstruation. The reasons for adolescents are the immaturity of the hormonal background. The first menstruation - menarche - lasts from several hours to a week. After that there can be a big break. This is not a deviation, but a norm. The formation of a hormonal background occurs. The body only learns to work and establishes its reproductive function.
During the first year after the menarche, menstruation can be spontaneous and short. The period in menstruation is from several weeks to six months. Therefore, it is impossible to talk about what causes bleeding between menstruation. Most likely, in the near future, the cycle will establish itself. But if this did not happen and after a year or you are worried about a similar condition, there are additional symptoms, then you need to see a gynecologist.
Pathology of the uterus congenital and acquired
You already know why physiological bleeding occurs between menstruation. Treatment for a woman is necessary when it comes to pathology. Malfunctions in the menstrual cycle often occur due to neoplasms or an improper structure of the genital organ.
- Endometriosis This disease belongs to hormonal. With it, the surface of the inner layer - the endometrium - grows outside the body. The fallopian tubes and ovaries, abdominal wall and intestines are affected. In especially difficult situations, the endometrium grows on the liver, stomach and other organs. The disease is accompanied by frequent intermenstrual bleeding, pain and infertility.
- Myoma and polyp. They are often found in women during the next ultrasound. With small sizes do not manifest themselves. The patient is only concerned about bleeding between menstruation. At 40, fibroids and polyps are common pathologies.
- Malignant formations. Such pathologies are much less common, but they are also worth mentioning. Cancer is always accompanied by menstrual irregularities. You can detect the disease using laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures.
The allocation of blood between menstruation can occur due to congenital or acquired defects of the genital organ, such as the saddle uterus, one-horned or two-horned, bent, and so on.
Pathology of the ovaries
If bleeding occurs between menstruation (7 days or longer), then it is probably a hormonal failure. It can arise for a variety of reasons. These are diseases, medication, stress, infections, and so on.
Often, hormonal imbalances are caused by tumors in the ovaries. Cysts can be functional and non-functional. In the second case, it is necessary to conduct a survey. Often, pathology requires surgical treatment.
Inflammatory processes
Almost always, infectious processes cause bleeding between menstruation. The causes and symptoms of such pathologies can be different. Inflammation occurs due to hypothermia, non-compliance with hygiene rules, promiscuous sexual intercourse and so on. Symptoms: abdominal pain, fever, unusual discharge, and others.
It is important to get tested on time and start treatment. If you start the pathology, then the inflammation will go to the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Such a disease will be much more difficult to eliminate. Therefore, do not hesitate and go to a specialist.
Contraceptive use
There are frequent bleeding between menstruation with IUDs and hormonal contraception. If this symptom occurs in the first 1-3 months after the start of the application of a certain method, then there is nothing to worry about. But when you regularly observe blood circulation - this is an occasion to consult a gynecologist. This drug may not suit you or the spiral is not installed correctly. Do not pull and do not expect complications; it is impossible to solve this problem yourself.
Short term miscarriage
During pregnancy, any discharge of blood from the genitals should alert the woman. Do not believe experienced friends who say that this is normal. Bleeding is always a threat to the development of pregnancy, and in some cases a symptom of its termination. If you find out about your new situation, and after a few days there are discharge, then there are probably some pathologies. In most cases, this is a lack of progesterone. With timely access to a gynecologist, the situation can be corrected. But if you hesitate, then detachment of the ovum begins, a hematoma forms and, as a result, a miscarriage occurs.
But even after abortion, you need to contact a gynecologist. Indeed, parts of the fetal egg may remain in the uterine cavity. They must be deleted.
Intimate health and other reasons
Bleeding between menstruation after 45 years is a common phenomenon. At this time, the hormonal background in the woman’s body is radically changing. Regular menstruation stops, menopause sets in. Breakthrough bleeding is not excluded. But if there was no menstruation for more than a year, and a daub suddenly started, be sure to see a gynecologist.
Bleeding between periods can be due to external factors such as stress, depression, poor diet, unhealthy lifestyles, drug use and alcohol abuse. To restore the cycle, you need to adjust your environment, establish a regime, adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
Bleeding between menstruation can occur due to pathologies of the cervix and vagina. Often, such signs occur after gynecological procedures, examinations using a mirror, colposcopy and hysteroscopy. Also, the causes of blood circulation include erosion of the cervix, polyps of the cervical canal. In some women, the symptom appears after violent sex.
Summarize
You already know what are the causes of intermenstrual bleeding. They may be physiological or pathological in nature. But to independently install it is not possible. If you have once encountered such a symptom, then most likely there is nothing to worry about. But with regular breakthrough bleeding, you must definitely consult a gynecologist. You will probably be prescribed treatment after a detailed diagnosis. Monitor your female health and regularly undergo examinations. Do not be ill!