What is bleeding between periods

Your doctor will also likely give you a physical exam, including a pelvic exam. Diagnostic tests can help your doctor find the cause of the bleeding. Your doctor may draw blood to check hormone levels. You may need to have cultures taken or tissue removed from your cervix or the lining of your uterus for testing, which is called a biopsy.

Your doctor may also want to perform an ultrasound. There is no specific treatment for vaginal bleeding between periods. In some cases, this kind of abnormal bleeding will resolve on its own. However, for some women, the underlying cause requires treatment.

Ignoring the problem and failing to see a doctor can lead to a worsening of the problem. If the cause of the bleeding is an infection, cancer, or another serious disorder, the consequences could be life-threatening. You may not be able to prevent bleeding between periods depending on the cause. However, in some cases, preventive measures can help. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and a normal weight because being overweight can lead to abnormal periods.

If you take birth control pills, do so as directed to avoid a hormonal imbalance. Exercise moderately to maintain health and reduce stress. To manage pain, use ibuprofen Advil or naproxen Aleve, Naprosyn , which can actually help reduce bleeding.

Avoid taking aspirin Bufferin , which may increase your risk of bleeding. Spotting is lighter than a period and may indicate that you have an underlying condition. Call your doctor if you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Bleeding after sex, known as postcoital bleeding, is common. Learn more about causes and treatments. Your discharge can say a lot about your health. Here's our swatch-guide to vaginal…. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Reproductive system - female. Home Reproductive system - female. Menstruation - abnormal bleeding. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding Causes of abnormal uterine bleeding Diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding Treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding Where to get help.

Abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding is also called 'abnormal uterine bleeding'. We sometimes use this general term to describe bleeding that does not follow a normal pattern, such as spotting between periods.

It used to be referred to as menorrhagia, but this term is no longer used medically. On average, a typical woman passes around 40 ml of blood during her menstrual period, which lasts around four to seven days. For some women, however, bleeding may be excessively heavy or go on for longer than normal. A woman may have 'chronic' heavy or prolonged bleeding for more than six months or it may be 'acute' sudden and severe.

Rarely, bleeding between periods is due to cancer of the female genitalia or reproductive system. You can make a few notes in a calendar on your phone or in a planner. Write down if you notice any major changes in the bleeding pattern or if the spotting is associated with symptoms that impact your life. Your clinician may perform a pelvic exam, obtain cultures or order blood tests or imaging to take a closer look.

He or she may also change your medication. Find out what you need to know and when to see your doctor. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy.