Vaginal Bleeding

Pelvis | Gynecology | Vaginal Bleeding (Symptom)


Description

Regular vaginal bleeding is normal for most women. Vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods and after sex or after menopause can also appear. Women expect vaginal bleeding to occur during the menstrual cycle. Normal vaginal bleeding varies from woman to woman. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long. Cycles can range anywhere from 21 to 35 days in adults and from 21 to 45 days in young teens.

Causes

Unexpected vaginal bleeding could indicate a problem of the vagina, cervix or uterus, especially a woman is postmenopausal. Abnormal vaginal bleeding may include small bleeding between menstrual periods, often seen on toilet paper, or heavy periods with heavy bleeding (when the tampon is filled in an hour and bleeding lasts several hours). Also, any vaginal bleeding that lasts for weeks is considered abnormal.

Irregular vaginal bleeding can indicate one of the following conditions: menstrual dysfunction; fluctuations in the hormone levels; vaginal infections; tumors, polyps, fibrosis of the vagina, cervix, uterus or fallopian tubes; cancer of the uterus, cervix, vagina or vulva; vaginal injuries due to accidents or sexual abuse; bleeding associated with recent pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy - embryo attaches outside the uterus; complications of pregnancy such as miscarriage; some STDs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia or genital warts; cervical dysfunction, such as cervical ectropion, a disorder that often occurs in young women, especially those who take oral contraceptives, when the cervical tissue is more susceptible to abrasion, often the vaginal bleeding appearing after intercourse. During a total hysterectomy, the uterus and cervix are removed surgically. In its absence, the vaginal bleeding is most likely from the vagina and it should be investigated. In some hysterectomies, the cervix is not removed. In this case, vaginal bleeding may occur in the cervix and vagina. ...