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Female Reproductive System Problems: Abnormal Non-Menstrual Vaginal Bleeding

By HERWriter
 
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Many women experience abnormal vaginal bleeding sometime in their lives, according to WebMD. Vaginal bleeding is considered abnormal if it occurs when a women isn’t expecting her menstrual period such as before age 10, when pregnant or after menopause.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) report non-menstrual bleeding can be caused by various problems. Most are benign and treatable. Others could signify cancer. Alone, abnormal vaginal bleeding doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious condition, WebMD added.

NIH lists abnormal vaginal bleeding causes to include uterine fibroids or cervical or uterine polyps; hormone levels changes; cervical inflammation or infection; injury or disease of the vaginal opening; stopping and starting birth control or estrogens; and underactive thyroid.

Other possible causes are cervical cancer, endometritis, ovarian cancer and cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, tamoxifen side effects, uterine sarcoma, vaginal cancer, vaginitis and diseases like Von Willebrand (blood clotting disorders), according to Mayo Clinic.

Stress, medications such as anticoagulants and hormonal birth control methods and IUD use may sometimes lead to non-menstrual bleeding, according to MedicineNet.com.

Still, others are related to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and other pregnancy complications.

Abnormal bleeding may be a sign of very early pregnancy, according to MedicineNet.com. Heavy vaginal bleeding or bleeding that occurs after 12 weeks may indicate a serious problem, such as placenta previa, WebMD said.

For women 40 or older, abnormal vaginal bleeding may mean they’re entering perimenopause, said WebMD. MedicineNet.com said women who take combined estrogen and progesterone hormone therapy may experience some abnormal vaginal bleeding during the first six months of treatment.

Postmenopausal women who take a cyclic hormone regimen may experience some vaginal bleeding similar to a menstrual period for a few days each month. Less frequent but serious causes of vaginal bleeding in postmenopausal women include endometrial cancer or hyperplasia.

MedicineNet.com said vaginal bleeding may occur during or after sexual intercourse for several reasons including vaginal wall injury and infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and yeast infections. Another is vaginal dryness due to lack of estrogen after menopause.

WebMD stated less common causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding may include sexual abuse, an object in the vagina, or structural problems such as urethral prolapse.

Treatment of abnormal vaginal bleeding depends on the cause. Different options include medication like antibiotics and hormonal birth control and surgery.

MedicineNet.com said while it doesn’t signify problems, pregnant women experiencing vaginal bleeding should always see a doctor. WebMD added that for women past menopause, vaginal bleeding is always abnormal. Discuss with a doctor. Mayo Clinic advised, in general, anytime a woman experiences abnormal vaginal bleeding, she should consult a doctor.

Sources:

Vaginal bleeding. MayoClinic.com by Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Web 18 Nov 2011
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vaginal-bleeding/MY00209

Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding - Topic Overview. WebMD.com by WebMD, LLC. Web 18 Nov 2011.
http://women.webmd.com/tc/abnormal-vaginal-bleeding-topic-overview

Vaginal Bleeding. MedicineNet.com by MedicineNet, Inc. Web 18 Nov 2011.
http://www.medicinenet.com/vaginal_bleeding/article.htm

Vaginal bleeding between periods. NLM.NIH.gov by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health. Web 18 Nov 2011.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003156.htm

Reviewed November 23, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Malu Banuelos

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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