You do not have to worry about vaginal bleeding. Every month, a woman experiences vaginal bleeding during the menstrual cycle when the uterine lining breaks down. The amount and period of the bleeding differs from woman to woman.

What is Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding?

The two questions you should ask in order to distinguish normal from abnormal vaginal bleeding are the following: 1) When do you experience vaginal bleeding; and 2) How much vaginal bleeding do you have?

If you’re in the premenopause stage, check for the following to determine if you’re experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding:

* Bleeding that occurs outside your menstruation

* Abnormally heavy bleeding during menstruation

* Prolonged menstruation

* Bleeding that results in anemia

* Experiencing abnormalities with the uterine tissue that cause bleeding in the genital tract. These include endometrial hyperplasia, infection, endometrial prolyps, and others.

* Fibroid tumors

* Cancer of the uterus

* Cancer of the cervix

* Obesity

* Polycystic Ovaries

It is possible for premenopausal women to experience abnormal vaginal bleeding if they are pregnant and are having an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy in the tubes), have just given birth, or have experienced a miscarriage. Abnormal vaginal bleeding may also occur if, during pregnancy, the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix or if it gets detached from the uterine wall.

Women who have not had menstruation for at least a year should be more watchful of abnormal vaginal bleeding symptoms, as the bleeding may be caused by serious medical conditions such as the following:

* endometrial hyperplasia

* cervical or endometrial polyps

* endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus)

* vaginitis

* unopposed estrogen

Diagnosing Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

It is very helpful for you to be mindful of your menstrual cycle and the type of vaginal bleeding you experience. Should you suspect that your vaginal bleeding is no longer normal, be sure to consult your doctor to get proper diagnosis and treatment if necessary.

When getting diagnosed for abnormal vaginal bleeding, the following are some of the conditions that your doctor will check:

1. Pregnancy

Some women may not be aware that they are pregnant. Vaginal bleeding can occur during the early stages of pregnancy.

2. Bleeding pattern

You should be able to provide your doctor with information on your menstrual cycle, the amount of bleeding that occurs, and the duration by which each menstrual period lasts. Your vaginal bleeding may be considered abnormal if your menstrual cycle has an erratic pattern; if you’re menstruating too heavily or too lightly; or if your menstruation occurs over very short or very long periods of time.

3. Ovulation

Obese women and those experiencing polycystic ovarian syndrome are those who are prone to ovulation problems that cause abnormal vaginal bleeding. Abnormal vaginal bleeding may occur when a woman’s progesterone levels are very low during the second half of her menstrual cycle and when the woman experiences prolonged and irregular bleeding after not having menstruated for a long time.

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