Bleeding outside of the menstrual period can be considered normal when it occurs after gynecological examinations and contraceptive change, with no treatment being necessary and not indicating any health problem. In most cases, bleeding out of the menstrual period corresponds to spotting, also called leak bleeding, which is a small bleeding that can occur between menstrual cycles and lasts for about 2 days.
However, a small bleeding outside of the menstrual period can also be a sign of pregnancy when it appears 2 to 3 days after unprotected intimate contact, for example, or it may be a premenopausal symptom when it occurs in women over 40 years of age. Learn what bleeding in pregnancy means.
Main causes
The main causes of bleeding outside the menstrual period are:
- Stress, since in these situations can occur hormonal deregulations, however can be solved through exercises and aromatherapy, for example;
- Change of contraceptive method, being considered a normal cause of bleeding outside the menstrual period and, therefore, it is recommended to wait until the body is habituated. If the bleeding continues, it is advised to go to the gynecologist to be evaluated if the cause of the bleeding is in fact the contraceptive method change;
- Uterine polyps, which are more common in menopausal women and correspond to excessive growth of cells in the inner wall of the uterus and do not always need treatment, only when malignancy is suspected. Learn more about uterine polyps;
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome, which is characterized by the presence of various cysts in the ovary due to a hormonal imbalance and whose treatment must be done according to the gynecologist's advice, and the use of contraceptives is usually recommended. Check out 7 common doubts about polycystic ovary syndrome;
- Thyroid problems, in which there is deregulation in the production of a series of hormones, which can result in bleeding outside the menstrual period. To alleviate symptoms related to thyroid problems it is indicated to increase the consumption of foods with iodine, zinc and selenium to regulate the thyroid;
- Infections, which can be caused by parasites, fungi or bacteria, and may even be a Sexually Transmitted Disease, and in these cases also observed bleeding after sexual intercourse. Depending on the type of infection, the doctor may indicate the use of medications to fight the infection;
- After gynecological exams, as some procedures may be invasive, such as pap smears, for example, it is completely normal to have small bleeding, and no treatment is necessary.
In addition, other situations can cause bleeding outside the menstrual period or excessive bleeding of escape, such as ectopic pregnancy and uterine cancer, and it is necessary to follow all medical recommendations.
Not to be confused with bleeding outside the menstrual period, know when your menstrual period should return:
Bleeding after intercourse
The bleeding after sexual intercourse is not normal, only when it comes to the first relation, with the hymen breaking. If bleeding occurs after intercourse, it is important to go to the gynecologist so that tests can be done and the cause of the bleeding is identified. See which exams are usually requested by the gynecologist.
Bleeding may be indicative of sexually transmitted diseases, trauma during intercourse, presence of wounds in the cervix or occur due to insufficient lubrication of the vagina, for example. In addition, if the woman has cancer or ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or bacterial or fungal infections, bleeding may occur after intercourse. Learn more about bleeding after intercourse.
Bleeding after intercourse can be assessed according to the amount of blood and color, with live red indicative of infections or lack of lubrication, and the brown indicative of escape bleeding, which lasts for about 2 days. Know when dark bleeding is a warning sign.
When to go to the doctor
It is advised to go to the gynecologist when:
- Bleeding occurs outside the menstrual period;
- Excess bleed for more than 3 days;
- The bleeding of escape, even if little, lasts more than 3 cycles;
- Excessive bleeding occurs after intimate contact;
- Vaginal bleeding develops during menopause.
In these cases, the doctor may perform diagnostic tests, such as a pap smear, ultrasonography, or colposcopy to evaluate the woman's reproductive system and identify if there is any problem causing bleeding, initiating appropriate treatment if necessary. Also know how to treat menstrual bleeding.
