Intermenstrual bleeding or metrorrhagia is a condition that is characterized by vaginal bleeding at different times, completely unrelated to the monthly period and the menstrual cycle. Although the blood originates from the womb, as it does during a period, this type of bleeding is not considered part of the menstrual cycle.
Different factors might cause vaginal bleeding of this type, but specialists generally say they are quite harmless, even though we are talking about bleeding. On the other hand, metrorrhagia can signal a more serious condition, so do not take it lightly.
If you are looking for guidance and support when it comes to metrorrhagia, amongst other gynecological conditions, make sure to pick a qualified gynecologist in Doral, Florida. It is crucial that your chosen physician is experienced and knowledgeable enough to guide you in the right direction, and dr. Leonardo Blachar is definitely one such doctor.
Symptoms of Intermenstrual Bleeding
When you start experiencing bleeding that does not coincide with the planned monthly period, you probably suffer from metrorrhagia. This condition is considered abnormal and is also called dysfunctional uterine bleeding, meaning that this type of bleeding is not typical when it comes to the body’s normal functioning.
Except for situations where there is spotting and light bleeding, influenced by the ovulation period, all other occurrences are problematic and need the attention of a medical professional.
Intermenstrual bleeding might resemble your period and might even look like you are having a second period. Still, the bleeding cannot be predicted and comes at entirely random moments. Pain does not have to be present, but there might be some other period symptoms such as cramping, bloating, diarrhea, headache, and the like.
Additionally, sometimes dysfunctional uterine bleeding can be heavier than your regular period flow, and the color of the blood can vary from dark brown to very light red. Clots are possible, as well as mucus and discharge. This information will be important for your chosen doctor, so please share every detail with them during a consultation.
Why Does Metrorrhagia Occur?
The causes of this condition are various, but the main factors are hormones and their role in the functioning of the reproductive system.
When the monthly period occurs in women, the hormone change impacts the uterus lining to prepare for the arrival of the fertilized egg. When the egg is not received, the lining sheds and leaves the body through the period flow. In the case of metrorrhagia, the lining sheds at another moment in the cycle, interrupting the regular functioning of hormones.
There are different reasons why this occurs, with the most common ones being:
- First or last period: When the periods first start or are coming to an end (menopause), it is not unusual for them to be out of order and for the vaginal bleeding to be occurring at different times.
- Stress: Emotional and other types of stress can immensely affect your period and cause dysfunctional uterine bleeding, so try and find techniques that will help you.
- Contraception and medication: Unexpected vaginal bleeding can occur due to certain birth control pills you are taking or other types of medication. After a while, the body gets used to the effect of birth control pills, so first try to be patient and wait for a certain period to pass. Fertility treatments are one additional potential cause of metrorrhagia.
- Poor diet: When people are underweight, very often, there is a complete stop in the menstrual cycle, or intermenstrual bleeding occurs. This is mostly connected to the lack of certain food groups and the poor choices the person makes with their food in general.
Also, malnourished people can have an issue with ovulation and suffer from an anovulatory cycle. This condition is characterized by the absence of ovulation during the monthly menstrual cycle, which can cause metrorrhagia. The anovulatory cycle is primarily caused by hormonal imbalance in the body.
As mentioned previously, unexpected intermenstrual bleeding can signal that there are some additional, more serious conditions developing in the body, such as:
- Endometritis (inflammation of the uterus)
- Cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix)
- Vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina)
- Inflammatory disease of the pelvis
- STIs
- Ovarian cysts
- Endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids
- Issues with the thyroid
- Coagulation issues
- Disorders related to leukemia
- PCOS
- Problems with the uterus (size, position, and the like)
- Cervical, vaginal, ovarian, vulvar, endometrial, uterine, fallopian tube cancer
How to Diagnose Intermenstrual Bleeding?
When you start experiencing unexpected vaginal bleeding, please get in touch with your chosen doctor immediately. They will ask different questions about your health and symptoms to make a diagnosis. There is usually also a physical examination to determine your overall physical health, as well as a vaginal examination which includes the vaginal canal and cervix. Additional laboratory work might be done to determine the cause of the condition, such as blood tests, hormone checks, urine samples, ultrasounds, CTs, MRIs, pap smears, biopsies of certain areas, and the like.
What Can I Do?
Different adjustments can be made to control the condition and prevent it from becoming a serious problem. The exact treatment depends on the cause of metrorrhagia, so it is imperative to consult your doctor. That way, the necessary exams can identify the best treatment option for your specific needs.
Here are some general tips concerning dysfunctional uterine bleeding:
- Sometimes, when the condition is temporary, you can try changing your lifestyle. You can start working on stress reduction, having a routine, physical exercise, a healthy diet, and similar.
- Hormone therapy is another treatment option, most often the hormone progestin. It can be used as pills, patches, IUDs, etc. Some offered options can have different side effects, so be careful when choosing which therapy to take.
- Dilation and curettage is an approach taken to discover the potential cause of the bleeding, but it does not solve the problem permanently. The invasive nature of this approach and the risks it brings are some of the reasons you must consult your chosen doctor before deciding to have a D&C.
- When some other condition causes metrorrhagia, it is essential to diagnose that condition properly and offer an adjusted treatment option. For STIs, that would be antibiotics; for conditions such as blood disorders, you would need to see a specialist; for certain serious conditions, you may need surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, medication, etc.
The most important thing regarding the treatment of metrorrhagia is to consult your chosen doctor and take it from there. After determining the cause of the condition, there will be different treatment options available to you.
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Metrorrhagia is a condition that can be rather scary and uncomfortable. Our expert team is here to help and support you, so please give us a call!