Vaginal bleeding

Vaginal bleeding, which are often called classic Spotting not only occur during your period, but can also be referred to as Intermenstrual bleeding make themselves felt. The reasons for vaginal bleeding are many. Since there are numerous causes, vaginal bleeding should be clarified by a doctor.

What is vaginal bleeding?

In the case of vaginal bleeding, which can also be referred to as spotting and intermenstrual bleeding, the doctor speaks when unplanned bleeding occurs, thus bleeding occurs that does not correspond to the menstrual period. Those vaginal bleeding are often dark in color, so that they can be noticed relatively quickly. Vaginal bleeding can also occur during pregnancy, which must be checked medically immediately.

Vaginal bleeding can occur again and again during or after the notorious menopause. Many women are very insecure if there is an intermenstrual bleeding which they cannot explain. In many cases there is no clear cause why vaginal bleeding has occurred.

Often, however, there are clear indications and reasons. As a rule, however, these are harmless causes that do not require any further medical indication. In a few cases, however, serious illnesses can cause vaginal bleeding. It is therefore necessary and essential that so-called intermenstrual bleeding or vaginal bleeding be examined by the doctor.

causes

The causes of vaginal bleeding are many. Occasionally, various diseases of the genital organs can cause bleeding to occur. Polyps, fibroids or inflammations that are found directly on the uterus are classic reasons for vaginal bleeding. Inflammation of the ovaries can also trigger vaginal bleeding.

Other reasons are endometriosis (growths on the outer uterus), portioectopy (benign growths directly on the cervix) as well as malignant and benign tumors that can occur on the internal and external genital organs. Occasionally, hormonal disorders can also trigger vaginal bleeding.

Vaginal bleeding can also occur during an ectopic pregnancy. Vascular bleeding can also result from injuries to the blood vessels, which injuries are often caused by sexual intercourse. Sometimes, however, metabolic diseases, diseases of the kidney or liver can also ensure that the woman gets vaginal bleeding.

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Diseases with this symptom

• Metabolic disorder
• cervical cancer
• Polyps

• Ovarian inflammation
• Uterine rupture
• Myoma

• Spotting
• Endometriosis
• Uterine inflammation

Diagnosis & course

The diagnosis is made by the gynecologist. If the patient is of childbearing age, the doctor must first rule out a possible pregnancy. A gynecological examination of the woman and an ultrasound examination are therefore carried out. In doing so, the physician can very well gain initial knowledge as to whether it is a disease of the genital organs or whether another cause is the trigger for the vaginal bleeding.

Blood tests sometimes reveal whether hormonal disorders have caused the spotting. If you are pregnant, you have to wait for the pregnancy test. If the pregnancy is early, vaginal bleeding can only indicate that it was an implantation (implantation bleeding). As a rule, bleeding in early pregnancy is harmless and does not need to be treated by a doctor.

An ectopic pregnancy, on the other hand, is a medical treatment; the ectopic pregnancy can be determined via the ultrasound. However, if the doctor comes to the conclusion that other physical causes are sometimes responsible for the vaginal bleeding, other doctors (such as the internist) can also be consulted for the diagnosis.

As a rule, vaginal bleeding should be completely gone after two to three days. If the bleeding persists, treatment and diagnosis by the healthcare professional must be reconsidered. Depending on the cause, the duration and intensity of the bleeding can vary.

Complications

In the case of vaginal bleeding, which can be traced back to injuries during sexual intercourse or from inserted objects, the wound in the vagina can become infected, leading to severe inflammation, which must be treated with medication. If the injuries are the result of a criminal act, they are regularly associated with severe psychological stress for the victim.

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is often harmless, but it can indicate disorders that cause the fetus to abort during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy and premature or stillbirth at a later point in time.

In endocrine disorders that are not treated, the bleeding may become increasingly frequent, worsening, and be associated with abdominal pain. If the bleeding is due to a vaginal carcinoma, i.e. a malignant change in the vagina, it can lead to feelings of pressure in the vagina, pain during intercourse and, in advanced cases, urination and bowel movements.

Furthermore, metastasis can be expected, especially in the rectum, urethra and bladder. Cervical cancer, a malignant change in the cervix, can also trigger the vaginal bleeding. In these cases, metastasis in the pelvic lymph nodes can be expected in an early stadium. If the disease is not recognized and treated in good time, the liver, lungs and skeleton are among the most common complications.

When should you go to the doctor?

Vaginal bleeding of obvious origin is not a reason to see a doctor - this is the case with menstruation, for example. Only in the case of a young girl who is likely to have her first menstrual bleeding should it be clarified whether this is really what it is. However, this is not absolutely necessary. If vaginal bleeding occurs outside of the norm in a non-pregnant woman, a decision must be made on a case-by-case basis depending on the severity of the bleeding, the frequency of such bleeding and the level of suffering of the woman.

Any exceptionally heavy bleeding must be examined by a doctor, as it can lead to unhealthy high blood loss. If vaginal bleeding occurs frequently, even if only in mild to very slight form, this is also a warning signal. From an intolerance of the contraceptive to internal injuries and illnesses to hormonal imbalance, the cause can be far-reaching - and especially not recognizable by the woman concerned alone. Vaginal bleeding can occur once and be harmless during pregnancy, but it can also indicate serious complications.

Shortly after an egg cell is implanted and days before the birth, bloody vaginal discharge is normal; in any other case, the cause must be clarified by a doctor. Surgeous or painful vaginal bleeding is particularly dangerous. In these cases the pregnant woman should ideally be taken to the emergency room by ambulance.

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Treatment & Therapy

The main focus of treatment is what is actually causing the vaginal bleeding. If there is a disease of the patient's genital organs, appropriate treatment of the affected areas can ensure that the bleeding is stopped. Medicines or surgical interventions can alleviate the symptoms or eliminate the cause.

Hormonal causes can, for example, be treated with so-called hormone preparations. If the pill or the IUD are sometimes responsible for the bleeding, contraceptives should be reconsidered. Just changing the birth control pill can ensure that the bleeding stops. Sometimes the IUD should be removed if it was the cause of vaginal bleeding.

If there are other physical illnesses that have occasionally caused spotting, the doctor should always treat the underlying illness. In the end, there is no direct treatment for vaginal bleeding because it is only a symptom, not a disease. If there is an ectopic pregnancy, an operation must be performed. This is because no fetus can grow in a fallopian tube.

Furthermore, an ectopic pregnancy means an acute danger to life if the fetus grows in the fallopian tube. If vaginal bleeding occurs as part of a normal pregnancy, it need not be a cause for concern. However, if the patient is pregnant, medical advice should be given to explain why vaginal bleeding has occurred.

Outlook & forecast

Vaginal bleeding can be a normal part of life when your period occurs. Outside of menstruation, however, they are a warning sign. If the woman takes hormonal contraceptives and gets unplanned vaginal bleeding, it was mostly due to intermenstrual bleeding or spotting. These indicate an intolerance to the contraceptive. If it is changed or stopped, the symptom will soon improve.

Vaginal bleeding can also occur in pregnant women for a variety of reasons. A small implantation bleeding shortly after the egg cell is fertilized is normal, but should not be too heavy - otherwise the egg cell can also be rejected. This happens unnoticed and is followed by a normal menstrual period. Slight vaginal bleeding is also normal towards the end of the pregnancy and may indicate the onset of labor soon.

Heavy bleeding, on the other hand, is dangerous because it indicates physical problems and, in the worst case, life-threatening complications. In these cases, the woman should see a doctor or the emergency room immediately, as the loss of blood can be dangerous and the baby's life may also be in danger.

Vaginal bleeding can also be caused by sexually transmitted diseases. In these cases they usually improve shortly after starting treatment. The situation is different with bleeding caused by diseases of the internal genital organs such as cancer or its precursors. It can take a while for a treatment to work.

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prevention

In the end, vaginal bleeding cannot be prevented by the patient. This is because the causes of vaginal bleeding are extremely diverse. It is important that the bleeding is clarified medically. This is the only way to guarantee that the bleeding is harmless and that no serious illnesses are responsible, which sometimes endanger the health and life of those affected.

You can do that yourself

If you have vaginal bleeding, you should first speak to your gynecologist. In addition to medical treatment, the typical symptoms can be alleviated with the help of some measures and resources from the household and nature.

First, rest and cooling are recommended. Cold compresses reduce blood flow and help relieve pain in the lower abdomen. Bed rest and relaxation improve overall well-being. Otherwise, applications with apple cider vinegar, coriander seeds and raspberry leaves help with vaginal bleeding. Bleeding in the context of premenstrual syndrome can be counteracted with cinnamon and cayenne pepper.

If the symptoms are caused by a magnesium deficiency, foods such as avocados, watermelon and oatmeal help. Generally, a balanced diet with healthy and nutritious foods should be suited. Iron and vitamin C promote blood clotting and are particularly effective against vaginal bleeding.

Proven alternative remedies include acupressure and acupuncture. Just one application releases substances in the muscles that regulate the menstrual cycle and balance the hormonal balance. If the vaginal bleeding does not decrease in spite of all measures, or if there are accompanying severe cramps and deficiency symptoms, the doctor or a gynecologist should be consulted.