Reviewed By:
Ravi P. Chokshi, MD (Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN), Critical Care)
Current Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow with Dual board certification in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Critical Care Medicine. | 5+ years experience managing a general Ob/Gyn practice and working in the Intensive Care Unit. | Previously Physician Lead of a large single specialty practice with 8 Physicians and 10+ Advanced practitioners. | Member of the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine Patient education committee. | Frequent Medscape Consult contributor.
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD (Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN))
Dr. Kanazawa graduated from the Niigata University Faculty of Medicine and received his Ph.D. from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine. He is working on the front line of the General Perinatal Center, including the Tokyo Tama General Medical Center and the National Center for Research in Fertility Medicine, where he provides maternal and fetal care and undertakes clinical research. At Ubie, Dr. Kanazawa has been designing the Ubie AI Symptom Checker and has taken on the role of general obstetrics and gynecology consultation at FMC Tokyo Clinic by providing fetal ultrasound and prenatal consultation.
Content updated on Apr 4, 2024
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Blood in my discharge when outside of my period
Vaginal bleeding other than menstruation
Bleeding from my vagina between periods
Bleeding when I'm not on my period
Genital bleeding not on my period
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
About the Symptom
Bleeding that occurs in between a normal menstrual cycle. Irregular and unpredictable period bleeding is considered abnormal and should be investigated.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Abdominal pain
Lower abdominal pain
Menstrual abnormality (duration or volume)
Low back pain
Fever
Possible Causes
Generally, Bleeding between periods can be related to:
Ovulation is the process when the ovary releases an egg as part of the normal female reproductive cycle. It typically happens in the middle of a menstrual cycle (about 2 weeks after the end of the period). At the time of ovulation, some women may feel some cramping or lower abdominal pain that resolves by itself. This is called mid-cycle pain (mittelschmerz), and it can occasionally cause some mild bleeding or spotting along with it. If there is no other cause for the pain or bleeding, this is not considered to be harmful.
A hydatidiform mole or molar pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy where there is overgrowth of placental tissue and typically no viable embryo or fetus can develop. This rare condition occurs early in pregnancy when abnormal cell growth is present in the placenta. The fetus will not develop, and the abnormal tissue must be removed. Patients with this condition are at risk for excessive bleeding, severe nausea and vomiting and early onset preeclampsia (high blood pressure with risk of seizure and other concerns). Early diagnosis and management is important.
Cancer of the uterus (womb). The vast majority of women develop post-menopausal bleeding as their first symptom of uterine cancer. Risk factors include age with most cases appearing after menopause, a history of estrogen-only hormone treatment, and obesity. Diagnosis is after pelvic exam, ultrasound, biopsy and other scans to determine whether the cancer has spread.
Related serious diseases
Sometimes, Bleeding between periods may be related to these serious diseases:
Genital trauma meaning injury to the genitals, can occur for a variety of reasons. Most often caused by sports injuries, accidents such as on a bicycle, or vigorous intercourse. Tears or injuries can also occur with childbirth. Sexual assault should also be considered.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
Have you experienced vaginal bleeding or discharge outside of your periods or after menopause?
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Developed by doctors.
Find Similar Symptoms
References
ACOG Patient FAQ - Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/abnormal-uterine-bleeding
Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2015/12/menstruation-in-girls-and-adolescents-using-the-menstrual-cycle-as-a-vital-sign
Davis E, Sparzak PB. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. [Updated 2022 Sep 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532913/
Reviewed By:
Ravi P. Chokshi, MD (Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN), Critical Care)
Current Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow with Dual board certification in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Critical Care Medicine. | 5+ years experience managing a general Ob/Gyn practice and working in the Intensive Care Unit. | Previously Physician Lead of a large single specialty practice with 8 Physicians and 10+ Advanced practitioners. | Member of the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine Patient education committee. | Frequent Medscape Consult contributor.
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD (Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN))
Dr. Kanazawa graduated from the Niigata University Faculty of Medicine and received his Ph.D. from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine. He is working on the front line of the General Perinatal Center, including the Tokyo Tama General Medical Center and the National Center for Research in Fertility Medicine, where he provides maternal and fetal care and undertakes clinical research. At Ubie, Dr. Kanazawa has been designing the Ubie AI Symptom Checker and has taken on the role of general obstetrics and gynecology consultation at FMC Tokyo Clinic by providing fetal ultrasound and prenatal consultation.
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