Bleeding Between Periods: The Main Symptom Behind 3 Serious Illnesses

Bleeding between periods is also known as intermenstrual bleeding, metrorrhagia, or spotting. Intermenstrual bleeding is common. In many cases, it is not an indicator of a dangerous underlying health issue.

Many women spot between periods in the first few months of using new hormonal birth control. Uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous growths that form in the uterus, are another potential cause.

Women undergoing perimenopause are more likely to bleed between periods. This is caused by natural hormonal changes and thinner uterine walls.

Yet bleeding in between periods is the main symptom of three serious illnesses.

Here’s why, if you experience spotting between periods, you should contact your doctor right away.  

Hormonal Imbalance

Bleeding between periods can be a symptom of hormonal imbalance.  

The female menstrual cycle is regulated by two hormones: estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen helps control the growth of a woman’s uterine during the menstrual cycle. Progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy.

Both hormones must work together to maintain a regular menstrual cycle. When the balance is out of whack, spotting between periods may occur.

Hormonal imbalances in women can cause serious health issues, ranging from weight gain to depression and anxiety. Pregnant women with hormonal imbalances risk miscarrying.

Vaginal bleeding in pregnant women can be an indicator that miscarriage has occurred.

Infection

Bleeding between periods can be a symptom of a vaginal infection, including yeast infections and infections incurred from vaginal douching.

Sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause intermenstrual spotting, too. If left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. This causes scarring in the reproductive organs, chronic abdominal pain, and may cause infertility.

Severe untreated gonorrhea creates disseminated gonococcal infection, also known as DGI. DGI causes arthritis and dermatitis. It is life-threatening.

Female Reproductive Cancer

Bleeding between periods can also be a symptom of female reproductive cancer.

Vaginal, cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancer all share intermenstrual bleeding as a symptom. These forms of cancer often do not produce symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms of female reproductive cancer usually mean that the cancer is advanced and must be treated immediately.

However, it is unlikely that you have female reproductive cancer if bleeding between periods is your only health concern. Patients with female reproductive cancers often experience multiple symptoms. These include pain during sex, vaginal discharge, bloating of the abdomen and pelvic pain, and weight loss.

Still, your doctor needs to rule out this possibility.

Bleeding Between Periods and Diabetes

Women with type 2 diabetes are more likely to bleed between periods. If you have type 2 diabetes and are overweight, your weight may be affecting your period. Even if you are not overweight, you may be more likely to experience early menopause. Plus, you may be at higher risk for uterine cancer.

It can be difficult for diabetics to regulate glucose levels during menstrual bleeding. If you are diabetic, you should work with your doctor to minimize spotting in between periods for your safety.

Other Potential Causes of Bleeding Between Periods

Metrorrhagia may also be caused by trauma to the uterine wall. This could from rough sex or insertion of a tampon or other object into the vagina, among other causes.

When to Get Emergency Medical Help

If you're spotting between periods, don't immediately assume the worst. Still, you should go to your doctor as quickly as possible.

Intermenstrual bleeding should never be accompanied by pain, fever, dizziness, or fatigue. If you are having these symptoms, seek emergency medical help.  

For more information on outpatient medical care and specialty surgery, contact BASS Medical Group at (925) 350-4044.

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