Bloody discharge a week after menstruation: causes

My period started in a week - reasons

There are plenty of cases of bleeding that is not associated with menstruation. The cause can be either natural changes in a woman’s body or certain pathological conditions that require immediate medical attention.

Endometritis

Bloody discharge a week after menstruation may be a symptom of chronic endometritis (inflammation of the endometrium). Typically, this disease can develop due to diseases and infections that are sexually transmitted. Endometritis that is left untreated can cause polyps to appear.

Hypothyroidism

If your period starts a week after your period ends, this may indicate a decrease in thyroid hormone levels. Increased fatigue, irritability, fatigue are symptoms that also indicate this pathology. To make a diagnosis and further treatment, you must consult an endocrinologist as soon as possible.

Ectopic pregnancy

If bleeding begins a week after menstruation has already occurred and at the same time:

• accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen,
• decreased blood pressure,
• dizziness,

then its cause may be an ectopic pregnancy, a case when the attachment of a fertilized egg occurs outside the uterine cavity. This type of pregnancy is dangerous and requires immediate medical intervention, as it can be fatal.

Anovulation

If after the last period they start again a week later, then this may be one of the symptoms of anovulation. This is the name for a pathology in which there is no monthly ovulation. This condition is usually caused by:

• irregular menstrual cycle
• the appearance of slight bleeding from the uterus at any time.

Ovulation

During ovulation, the level of estrogen, the female sex hormone, changes in the body. It is hardly possible to feel the moment of release of the egg from the ovary into the fallopian tube as a result of rupture of a mature follicle, but it is quite possible to notice small discharges. And this is a normal situation, which is not a deviation from the norm.

Uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are another reason that menstruation can begin immediately after the critical days have just ended. As a rule, fibroids are one of the most common diseases in women during the late reproductive period and menopause.

Typical symptoms of uterine fibroids include:

• Menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
• Feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen
• Cramping pain in the lower abdomen.

Endometriosis

If your period begins a week after your period has already passed, then this may be a symptom of endometriosis (brown discharge). In this disease, endometrial cells (the inner layer of the uterine wall) grow outside this layer. Sometimes they are localized in the vagina or cervix. With endometriosis, bleeding leads to inflammation in the surrounding tissues, which can lead to the following problems

• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Increased and lengthened menstrual flow
• Infertility

Menstrual irregularities

It happens that a woman begins her period two weeks after the previous one. Most likely, this indicates menstrual irregularities. The reason may be:

• Overwork
• Climate change
• Time zone change (jet lag)
• Chronic lack of sleep
• Hormonal disbalance

In any case, consulting a gynecologist will not hurt.

Abnormal uterine bleeding

What is abnormal uterine bleeding? Abnormal uterine bleeding is intense or unusually heavy bleeding from the uterus (through the vagina). It can occur at any time, including during menstruation.

Symptoms Vaginal bleeding between periods is a symptom of abnormal uterine bleeding, as is extremely heavy bleeding during menstruation. Very heavy bleeding during menstruation and/or bleeding lasting longer than 7 days is called menorrhagia. For example, a woman with menorrhagia may need to change her tampon or pad every hour.

Causes and risk factors Abnormal uterine bleeding can be caused by various factors. One of the most common is pregnancy. Polyps or fibroids (growths of different sizes) in the uterus can also cause bleeding. In rare cases, abnormal uterine bleeding may be caused by thyroid problems, cervical infections, or uterine cancer.

In most women, abnormal bleeding is caused by hormonal imbalance. If the cause really lies in hormones, doctors call such cases dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Typically, abnormal bleeding caused by hormonal imbalances is more common among teenagers or women approaching menopause.

Of course, these are just some of the possible causes of the violation. In general, women can encounter this problem at any age, but the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding in most cases is associated specifically with age.

Teenagers and women aged 20-40 The most common cause of abnormal bleeding in young women and teenagers is pregnancy. For many women, such bleeding accompanies the first few months of pregnancy. Some oral contraceptives or intrauterine devices may also cause bleeding.

Sometimes in young women with abnormal uterine bleeding, the egg does not leave the ovary (ovulation) during the menstrual cycle. Most often, this occurs in adolescents when menstruation appears. This causes a hormonal imbalance in which estrogen causes the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to become significantly thicker than normal. When the body gets rid of the endometrium through menstruation, bleeding can be extremely heavy. In addition, hormonal imbalance can also disrupt the body's ability to change the endometrium on time (during menstruation). This phenomenon is called spotting bleeding.

Women from 40 to 55 years old During the period before menopause and at the beginning of menopause, women begin to experience months without ovulation. This, in turn, can cause abnormal uterine bleeding, including heavy periods and less noticeable spotting.

Thickening of the uterine lining is another cause of bleeding in women in this age group. At the same time, such thickening may be a symptom of uterine cancer. That is why, if you are in this age group and experience abnormal uterine bleeding, be sure to tell your doctor about it. It is quite possible that what is happening is just part of the natural aging process of the body, but in any case you need to exclude the possibility of cancer.

Post-menopausal women Hormone replacement therapy is a common cause of uterine bleeding after menopause. Other possible causes include endometrial and uterine cancer. These forms of cancer are much more common among mature and elderly women. At the same time, cancer is not always the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding. After menopause, it can be caused by many other disorders. That is why, if there are problems, a preliminary consultation with a specialist is necessary.

Diagnostics The tests and diagnostic procedures prescribed by the doctor depend on the age of the patient. If you may be pregnant, your doctor will order a pregnancy test. In case of severe bleeding, among other procedures, a blood test may be prescribed to determine the number of blood cells. The fact is that a very low value due to excessive blood loss can lead to iron deficiency and anemia.

An ultrasound examination of the pelvic area will allow you to examine the uterus and ovaries. In addition, it will help identify the cause of bleeding.

The doctor may also perform a biopsy of the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. This procedure is performed by inserting a thin plastic tube (catheter) into the uterus to remove a tiny sample of tissue, which is then sent to be examined in a laboratory. A biopsy can reveal the presence of cancer or any cellular changes. This procedure is performed in a doctor's office and is accompanied by mild discomfort.

You may also have a hysteroscopy, in which a thin tube with a camera at the end is inserted into the uterus, allowing the doctor to examine the inside of this organ in detail. If any abnormalities are detected, a biopsy will most likely be performed.

Prevention. Is it possible to prevent bleeding? If abnormal uterine bleeding is caused by hormonal changes, it cannot be prevented. At the same time, if the cause is excess weight, losing weight can solve the problem. The fact is that body weight affects the production of hormones. Maintaining a healthy body weight helps prevent abnormal uterine bleeding.

Treatment There are several treatment options for this disorder. The specific option you choose will depend on the cause of the bleeding, your age, and your desire to become pregnant in the future. Your doctor will help you make the best decision in your case. If he suspects that the abnormal bleeding is caused by a hormonal imbalance, a possible treatment option is to wait for the symptoms to subside. Here are just a few techniques:

Intrauterine contraceptive. Your doctor may recommend inserting an intrauterine device (IUD). This is a small plastic pregnancy prevention device that a doctor inserts into the uterus through the vagina. Some types of such products release hormones, thereby significantly reducing the intensity of abnormal bleeding. At the same time, along with oral contraceptives, intrauterine contraceptives themselves can cause bleeding. If something like this happens to you, contact your doctor immediately.

Oral contraceptives. Oral contraceptives contain hormones that can stop the lining of the uterus from further thickening. In addition, they normalize the menstrual cycle and reduce discomfort. However, some types of these pills, especially low-dose progestogen-only oral contraceptives, may themselves cause bleeding in some women. If the drug you are taking does not reduce abnormal bleeding, tell your doctor.

Expansion and curettage. This procedure requires that the cervix allows the insertion of a special surgical instrument into the uterus, with which the doctor scrapes out its inner lining. The removed tissue is subsequently studied in the laboratory. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia (the patient is in a state of sleep).

In case of extremely heavy bleeding, the doctor can carry out dilation and curettage at the same time to find out the cause of the disorder and to stop the bleeding. The fact is that this procedure itself often helps solve the problem. However, only a doctor can decide whether it is advisable.

Hysterectomy. This is a surgical procedure in which the uterus is removed. After a hysterectomy, a woman stops menstruating and cannot become pregnant. A hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure that requires general anesthesia and hospitalization. The recovery period can take a very long time. Discuss with your doctor all the pros and cons of this treatment method.

Endometrial ablation is a surgical procedure that involves destroying the lining of the uterus. Unlike a hysterectomy, this procedure does not involve complete removal of the organ. For some women, endometrial ablation stops menstrual bleeding completely. At the same time, others may continue to have light menstrual flow, and in rare cases, the menstrual cycle is completely restored. After endometrial ablation, women still need some form of contraception, even though the procedure reduces the chance of conception to a minimum.

Ablation can be performed in several ways, and the latest techniques for performing this procedure do not even require general anesthesia and subsequent hospitalization. With any chosen method, the recovery period is much shorter than with hysterectomy.

Impact on quality of life Abnormal uterine bleeding can negatively affect a woman's daily life. The inability to predict the moment when heavy bleeding will begin leads to a constant state of anxiety. In addition, heavy menstrual bleeding can significantly limit the options available to you. In some cases, the woman cannot even leave the house.

For extremely heavy menstrual bleeding, try taking ibuprofen on or a few days before your expected period. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that helps reduce bleeding.

Also, make sure you have enough iron in your diet. If necessary, your doctor may prescribe you to take iron supplements to prevent the development of anemia.

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How to stop heavy bleeding during menstruation

Bleeding during menstruation is often difficult to bear and is accompanied by weakness, nausea, pain and other unpleasant phenomena.

In some cases, heavy bleeding during menstruation is normal, but most menstrual irregularities are associated with pathologies of internal organs and require competent medical intervention.

The cause of severe blood loss during menstruation is usually an infectious disease of the reproductive system, hormonal imbalance, fibrous tumors, uterine and endometrial polyps, cancer, abnormal position of the intrauterine device, blood diseases that impair coagulation.

With short and irregular heavy discharge, such periods can be considered an isolated deviation. If bleeding during menstruation continues for more than 5 days, it is better to promptly determine the cause by contacting a gynecologist, and find a way to stop menstrual bleeding as soon as possible.

How to distinguish periods from bleeding

Pathological uterine bleeding is a consequence of dysfunction of the organs that regulate the menstrual cycle. Dysfunctional bleeding can be caused by fibroids, adenomyosis, polyps, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, hypothyroidism, and iron deficiency. Miscarriage and early ectopic pregnancy can cause bleeding. Taking anticoagulants and inserting an intrauterine device can cause uterine bleeding as a complication.

A sign of uterine bleeding may be heavy bleeding during menstruation, especially if it lasts more than a week. A large number of blood clots, weakness, a feeling of fatigue, sharp and aching pain in the lower back and lower abdomen, anemia also indicate the presence of dysfunctional bleeding. Bleeding between periods clearly indicates pathology.

If fibroids are present, uterine bleeding can only be stopped through surgery. For polyps, drug treatment is also impossible; hysteroscopy is performed for treatment.

How to stop heavy bleeding during menstruation

When abnormal bleeding occurs or during heavy periods, hormonal and non-hormonal hemostatic agents are often used. Medicines whose action is based on changes in hormonal levels are recommended to be taken as prescribed, since only a specialist will be able to develop an individual dosage regimen that will prevent complications and recurrent bleeding. Self-medication with hormonal drugs often causes additional pathologies, fertility disorders and complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Blood before the expected critical days

The main reasons for the appearance of blood before menstruation include:

1. Implantation bleeding;
2. Chronic endometritis;
3. Intrauterine pathology (fibroids, endometriosis, polyp, endometrial hyperplasia);
4. Ovarian diseases (cysts and cystomas);
5. Ectopic pregnancy;
6. Pathology of the blood coagulation system;
7. General diseases (diabetes, arterial hypertension);
8. External factors (acute psycho-emotional stress, physical activity, severe thermal effects in the form of a bath or sweltering heat).

A favorable option for scanty bleeding before menstruation is implantation: the fertilized egg entered the uterine cavity and began to attach to the wall, but not all women experience this manifestation of the onset of pregnancy. If blood appears a week before the expected critical days, this does not mean that the desired conception has occurred. After consulting a doctor, you need to perform diagnostic tests to rule out intrauterine pathology.

Blood clots during menstruation

Some consider the phenomenon of menstruation with blood clots to be a completely normal and natural process, but for many women this causes concern.

A woman’s reproductive system is incredibly fragile, and not only her ability to give birth to a healthy child, but also her well-being and self-confidence depends on her health. So, let's figure out why there are blood clots during menstruation and whether you should worry about it.

Physiology of a woman

We all know that menstruation is a certain period in the cycle of a healthy reproductive system. In the first part of the menstrual cycle, the egg matures. Also at this time, the walls of the uterus noticeably thicken, as the uterus prepares to carry an embryo.

Most often, if blood clots come out during menstruation, this is not a pathology, but on the contrary, a completely normal phenomenon. The fact is that during menstruation not only an unfertilized egg is released, but also the functional layer of the endometrium is exfoliated. Moderate bleeding is considered a sign of normal menstruation; this is about 250 ml of blood in 4 days. To simplify calculations, with such a quantity of discharge, a woman uses no more than 5 sanitary pads per day. Also, menstrual blood is characterized by a scarlet color at the beginning of menstruation, by the end of menstruation it may darken noticeably, and blood clots during menstruation will turn brown.

There is another type of blood clot during menstruation - these are thrombus-like clots. They appear if blood clots in the vagina. This phenomenon is usually observed by women with heavy periods, and if such blood clots appear frequently during menstruation, and a woman uses more than 5-6 pads per day, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor, since such periods can cause severe blood loss.

In any case, if your periods are accompanied by blood clots, are not very heavy and are moderately painful, there is nothing to worry about. Menstruation during pregnancy, heavy and very painful periods should be a cause for concern.

“Not menstruating” in the middle of the cycle

Any unusual vaginal discharge should not be ignored, especially if it is blood between periods. The main causes of problems include:

1. Ovulatory bleeding;
2. Functional ovarian cyst;
3. Endometrial hyperplasia;
4. Uterine polyp;
5. Violation of taking hormonal pills.

In most cases, if a woman monitors her menstrual cycle and knows that blood smear appears 2 weeks after the first day of her period, then this may be ovulation.

Question to the expert

My husband and I want a child. Unexpectedly, I started spotting 4 days before my period. What could it be?

If you are not using protection, then scanty bleeding before the expected menstruation may indicate implantation processes - conception has occurred, the embryo is trying to find the optimal place in the uterus, which is manifested by a slight separation of blood from the vagina. It is best to visit a doctor to create conditions for maintaining the desired pregnancy.

Causes of intermenstrual discharge

The causes of pathological bleeding that occurs a week after menstruation can be associated with external and internal factors.

The most common external factors are:

• Stress and nervous exhaustion.
  Very often, on the 7-9th day after menstruation, suspicious bleeding occurs, provoked by an anxious or exciting state.
• Injuries to the genital organs.
  An equally common external cause that can cause bleeding after menstruation is injuries received during rough intimate relationships or as a result of bruises and blows.

Internal factors provoking intermenstrual discharge:

• Proyomenorrhea - a shortened menstrual cycle, repeating 8-10 days after menstruation;
• Hidden sexually transmitted diseases;
• Intrauterine device.