Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

     Abnormal vaginal bleeding is a very common condition that can occur at various ages, depending on the underlying cause and severity of the disease. Generally, people often assume that any bleeding from the vagina is always menstrual blood.

What kind of vaginal bleeding is considered abnormal?

     In reality, normal menstruation is blood flowing from the uterine cavity, consisting of blood and small tissue fragments shed in cycles according to hormonal changes in the body. The interval of a cycle usually ranges between 21 - 35 days, but on average, menstruation occurs every 28 days (or plus no more than 7 days), with an estimated blood volume of about 30 – 40 cc per cycle.

If you experience vaginal bleeding that does not match the characteristics of normal menstruation mentioned above, you should promptly consult a specialist obstetrician-gynecologist to identify the cause and receive treatment in the early stages of the condition.

Causes of Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

Doctors can simply classify the causes into 2 types based on the location of the bleeding:

• Causes inside the uterine cavity: Such as miscarriage, uterine fibroids or polyps, hormonal dysfunction, or endometrial cancer, etc.
• Causes from lower genital tract bleeding: Where the source of bleeding is located at the cervix or vagina, such as cervical cancer, cervical infection/inflammation, or vaginal lacerations, etc.

Most cases of abnormal vaginal bleeding

     Most patients experience bleeding from causes inside the uterine cavity combined with other underlying conditions that affect it, such as blood disorders, liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, etc. The attending physician will provide appropriate diagnostic recommendations tailored to each individual.

What should you do when you suspect abnormal vaginal bleeding?

• Keep a record of the date and time of abnormal bleeding, as well as any accompanying symptoms.
• Consult an OB-GYN specialist for appropriate care. The doctor will ask about the details of your symptoms and related medical history, then refer you for a physical examination, pelvic exam, and cervical cancer screening.

In addition, the doctor may recommend additional investigations, such as blood tests to check hormone levels, ultrasound examination, dilation and curettage (D&C) to test tissue from the uterine cavity, or hysteroscopy/laparoscopy.

How is abnormal vaginal bleeding treated?

• General Treatment: Includes getting adequate rest, taking iron supplements in case of anemia, or receiving blood transfusions if pale/anemic severely.
• Hormonal Therapy (Oral): For mild cases, the doctor will evaluate and determine the appropriate type and dosage of medication for you.
• Surgical Treatment: Such as dilation and curettage (D&C) or hysterectomy, where the doctor will provide guidance on the most suitable treatment method for you.

If you experience vaginal bleeding that does not match normal menstrual patterns, you should consult a doctor promptly to identify the cause and receive treatment.