Bleeding in Between Periods? These May Be the Reasons Why

When you first get your period, you know that Aunt Flo will come for a visit every month, usually like clockwork. However, you may be bleeding between periods at some point, which occurs after your last period has ended and before your next one is expected to begin. If the flow is light, it’s called ‘spotting,’ and it usually isn’t an issue since hormonal changes can cause it. Other times, it can be caused by an injury or indicate an underlying health condition, which means you’ll need to have it checked right away.

Bleeding between periods is called metrorrhagia, also known as breakthrough bleeding. While periods differ for everyone, they generally last between two and seven days. If you find yourself bleeding before your next cycle, here are the possible reasons why:

1.You’re on Hormonal Contraceptives

Being on hormonal contraceptives birth control is one of the most common reasons for bleeding between periods, especially if you’re using it within the first three months. These include an intrauterine device or IUD, a vaginal ring, a birth control patch, a contraceptive pill, and a contraceptive implant.

If you continue bleeding between periods for more than three months and sustain a heavy flow, you’ll want to seek advice from your d doctor right away. Switching to a different contraceptive often resolves the problem. Bleeding can also happen if you don’t take your birth control as instructed, such as missing a day on your pill pack. 

2.You’ve Used Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception, including the morning-after pill and the IUD, can also cause you to bleed between periods. When this happens, it usually isn’t a cause for concern. Still, if you want to make sure you have a healthy vagina, it’s best to consult your doctor.

3.You’re Going Through Implantation Bleeding

Implantation bleeding occurs after becoming pregnant, which signifies the moment that the fertilised egg nests itself into your uterus’s lining. Unfortunately, some people mistake this for their period, causing them to believe they aren’t pregnant. You may also feel some cramps in your uterus.

4.You’ve Had a Miscarriage

If you’re pregnant and you experience vaginal bleeding, that may be a sign that you have miscarried. It can even happen before you’re aware that you’re pregnant. If this is the case, you may want to take a pregnancy test and see your doctor immediately.

5.You’ve Had an Abortion

Terminating your pregnancy often involves spotting or heavy bleeding, whether you’ve had an in-clinic procedure or you took an abortion pill. Be sure to ask your doctor what to expect during the process. If the pain is more intense than expected, be sure to tell them right away.

6.You May Have an STI

Maintaining a healthy vaginal pH balance is crucial to your health. In fact, if you have a higher vaginal pH level, you may want to get checked for chlamydia, as research shows an association between the two. A normal pH level is between 3.8 and 4.5, which is acidic enough to protect your system from yeast and harmful bacteria.

Chlamydia is known to cause vaginal bleeding between periods or even during or after sex. If you believe you may have caught chlamydia from your partner, be sure to get tested right away.

7.You Might Have Menopause or Perimenopause

Menopause often starts when you haven’t had a period for a year, and you’re between 45 and 55 years old. Meanwhile, perimenopause is the period right before menopause, which can go on for ten years as your hormone levels fluctuate. As such, this may cause irregular periods or spotting.

8.You May Have Been Injured

Lastly, another possible reason you may be bleeding between periods is that you’ve sustained an injury in your vaginal area. This usually happens during penetrative sex and you were dry, as your body produces a natural lubricant that makes penetrative sex easier and more comfortable.

Conclusion

There are many different reasons behind spotting or breakthrough bleeding, and these are some of them. It’s crucial to be aware of your vaginal health to make sure everything is functioning as expected. However, if you experience heavy or persistent bleeding between periods, be sure to seek medical advice right away.

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