Metrorrhagia is vaginal bleeding that occurs outside of the menstrual cycle. Menstruation can be of variable duration, but it usually will not exceed seven days. Each woman is different, but Metrorrhagia is not customary in any case and must be treated as it could lead to anemia. A cycle usually lasts about 28 days, but since it depends on each woman, the period between one menstruation can be between 24 and 35 days. If the bleeding occurs at this time, it is Metrorrhagia. The causes can be very varied, but all have treatment. It is common for an iron supplement to be added to women with Metrorrhagia to prevent or treat anemia. This FastlyHealarticle explains everything about Metrorrhagia: causes, symptoms, and treatment.
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Causes of Metrorrhagia
The causes of Metrorrhagia are very varied, and in many cases, it is a minor, treatable condition that is not serious at all, so you should not worry if it ever happens to you. Of course, it is essential to go to the doctor as soon as possible to diagnose the cause and treat it because, as we have said, a possible iron deficiency anemia could occur.
The causes that can lead to Metrorrhagia are:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome: PCOS causes the appearance of cysts in the ovaries that, although they are not harmful, can cause Metrorrhagia. Some are treated with birth control pills, but if they are enormous, they must be removed.
- Endometrial hyperplasia occurs when the endometrium grows too large, in most cases due to a high estrogen level and a decrease in progesterone.
- Fibroids or polyps can be uterine or cervical and are usually benign. They can cause vaginal bleeding.
- Cervicitis: This is the inflammation or infection of the cervix.
- Vaginal injury: trauma, blow, or too rough sex can cause vaginal damage. Vaginal bleeding may also appear with the appearance of genital warts.
- Hypothyroidism: is when thyroid function is less than adequate. Hormonal changes caused by the thyroid can cause Metrorrhagia and even other alterations in menstruation.
- Sexually transmitted diseases: Some sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause vaginal bleeding. They can even be attenuated after having sex.
- Hormone use: Some estrogen treatments or even the birth control pill that many women take can cause vaginal bleeding outside of the menstrual cycle. Also, the use of an IUD can irritate the vaginal mucosa.
- Clotting problems: A woman with blood clotting problems may suffer frequent Metrorrhagia. If you are taking anticoagulant treatment, this is very likely to happen. Be careful as bleeding could occur.
- Cancer: can be a uterine or fallopian tube, although vaginal bleeding is more familiar with cervical cancer. Even before pre-cancerous cancer occurs, it can cause Metrorrhagia.
They can also be due to pregnancy. If an ectopic pregnancy (implantation outside the uterus) has occurred, vaginal bleeding is widespread. Ectopic pregnancy is hazardous. It may also be because the woman is pregnant and has suffered a miscarriage.
During menopause, estrogen levels drop considerably, and this causes vaginal dryness that could lead to bleeding.
Metrorrhagia: symptoms
When Metrorrhagia occurs, the most common symptom is vaginal bleeding, which can be more or less abundant. Sometimes the blood may be somewhat clotted or brown. Others, however, are distinctly red and runny. It will depend in each case on the woman and the disorder or cause causing it.
As we have seen, women with menopause suffer from vaginal dryness, so this type of bleeding is not considered Metrorrhagia. In the same way that if girls who have not yet menstruated for the first time suffer vaginal bleeding, in this case, it is not considered Metrorrhagia either.
Other symptoms that can accompany vaginal bleeding are:
- Pain in the abdomen area: sometimes, we usually associate it with ovarian pain. However, the ovaries do not have nerve endings that can hurt, and the pain is due to some function or disorder in the area.
- Tiredness or fatigue and headache: when these symptoms appear, blood loss has caused iron deficiency anemia, which leads to more fatigue and headaches. This weakness or fatigue is known as asthenia.
- Significant blood loss or blood clots: It is essential to see an emergency doctor in this case.
It would help if you did not wait for the bleeding to be profuse or have more times to go to the doctor. If you are pregnant and vaginal bleeding occurs, go immediately to the gynecologist.
Metrorrhagia: treatment
It is essential to determine that the bleeding is vaginal and not coming from the urine (which could indicate an infection) or the rectum (which would indicate hemorrhoids or more severe disease).
The treatment will depend in each case on the cause, be it thyroid, hormonal, or tumor:
- In many cases, the contraceptive pill is used that is nothing more than hormones—progesterone or estrogens (usually a mixture) to balance the levels and avoid more Metrorrhagia.
- If it is an STD, drugs will be used to treat the infection, and prevention will be recommended.
- When produced by using any contraceptive, it will be recommended to stop using it or change it for another.
- In more severe cases, such as a harmful or cancerous tumor, surgery will be used, also in the case of polyps. It is also necessary in the case of ectopic pregnancy as it could put the mother’s health at risk.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Metrorrhagia: causes, symptoms, and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.