SHARES
Your period is the monthly affair that happens when the endometrial lining of the uterus breaks down because no fertilization takes place. However, having a regular monthly normal cycle may not be so regular for some women, due to medical conditions that disrupt the bleeding pattern. In Part 2 of this article, we explore the gynaecological conditions that can result in bleeding between periods, other than hormonal or pregnancy-related conditions discussed in Part 1.
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
The most common STI in the United States is chlamydia, next is gonorrhoea, second on the list. Contracted during sexual contact, STI can cause infections in the mouth, urethra, rectum and reproductive organs.
Both chlamydia and gonorrhoea can have similar symptoms or may not cause symptoms at all. Symptoms can appear between a few weeks and several weeks after an infection. Common symptoms in women include yellow vaginal or urethral discharge, painful or frequent urination, vaginal bleeding between periods, or rectal bleeding and pain.
You can avoid chlamydia and gonorrhoea by practicing safe sex. Always use a condom. Limit the number of sexual partners. If possible, understand partner’s sexual history, especially if he or she had contracted STIs.
Cervical or Uterine Polyps
Polyps are most common among women in their 40s and 50s and pregnant mothers. Polyps are small growths that develop in the uterus or on the cervix. Medical scientists believe polyps occur due to increased level of hormone oestrogen.
Symptoms of polyps vary between individuals. Some may only have light spotting, while others remain without symptoms. Polyps can also lead to abnormal bleeding, which includes irregular period, bleeding between periods, heavy bleeding or postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. In any case, do consult your doctor to check and remove polyps as they may be indicative of rare cancers, although most polyps are benign.
Gynaecological Cancers
When there is bleeding between periods, the cancers that come to mind are cervical and uterine cancer.
Cervical cancer usually affects sexually active women age 30 to 45. Other symptoms of cervical cancer are discomfort during sex, bleeding after sex or vaginal discharge with foul smell.
Uterine cancer is common among women age 50 or older who are nearing or have reached menopause. On top of bleeding between period, pre-menopausal women may experience heavier bleeding, pain during sex or pain in the abdomen; meanwhile, post-menopausal women may observe unusual vaginal bleeding.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis sometimes causes bleeding between periods. More than one in ten women suffer from this condition (statistics from the USA). It happens when the tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the pelvic tissues. As the tissues thickens and break down, it causes swelling, pain and scarring when the by-products are trapped in areas that do not allow the bleeding to exit easily.
The primary symptom of endometriosis is painful period, with cramps that may start days prior to period and persist during period. Excessive bleeding with heavy period or bleeding between period may also be observed. In some cases, endometriosis is diagnosed when the couple discovers that they have difficulty conceiving. Nevertheless, the pain severity is not a reliable indicator of the extent of the condition.
Conclusion
When there is bleeding between periods, get immediate medical attention to detect if there is any serious underlying condition. This is especially so when coupled with pain, heavy bleeding or abnormal vaginal discharge. Do not delay visiting your doctor. An early diagnosis allows for timely treatment to relieve your condition.
Further reads: Common Causes of Bleeding Between Periods [Part 1 of 2]
Find an Obstetrician & Gynaecologist in Malaysia, on GetDoc
Find an Obstetrician & Gynaecologist in Singapore, on GetDoc
by Joanne Lee
Multipotentialite. Loves creating and seeing ideas come alive. View all articles by Joanne Lee.
