Blood in Vagina or Vaginal Bleeding

Pelvis | Gynecology | Blood in Vagina or Vaginal Bleeding (Symptom)


Description

Vaginal bleeding is the condition that implies blood flowing through vagina. It can be caused by common physiological condition, but also can be abnormal.

Normal vaginal bleeding is the periodic blood that flows as a discharge from the women uterus. Normal vaginal bleeding is also called menorrhagia. The process by which menorrhagia occurs is called menstruation. A woman normal menstrual cycle involves a complex series of hormonal events. An egg is released from the ovary; either the egg is fertilized by a sperm and implants in the uterus, or the lining of the uterus is shed each month as the menstrual period. This shedding causes normal menstrual bleeding. A normal menstrual cycle is 28 days plus or minus 7 days.

Causes

When bleeding is not caused by your menstrual cycle, it is called abnormal or dysfunctional uterine bleeding. This is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding during a women childbearing years. Abnormal vaginal bleeding is a flow of blood from the vagina that occurs either at the wrong time during the month or in inappropriate amounts.

Women who are still experiencing their periods, and have bleeding in between their normal menses may have vaginal bleeding problems due to: pregnancy, medications such as birth control pills, steroids, blood thinners like enoxaparin or warfarin; trauma from tampon use, intrauterine devices (IUDs - to prevent pregnancy) or a foreign body; diseases such as a blood clotting disorder, thyroid, kidney or liver disease; stress, exercise, diet and nutritional state.

Diagnosis and Treatment

To diagnose the vaginal bleeding, blood tests, a pelvic examination and PAP smear are necessary.

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