The medical term for it is abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Age, lifestyle, and medical history all come into play when determining the cause of bleeding.
A slightly bloody discharge can be normal during puberty or perimenopause.
Illustration by Paige McLaughlin for Verywell Health
But that’s not the case after menopause, or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like pain.
Irregular periods, or spotty, bloody discharge but no period, can be symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
This throw in of bleeding is also sometimes calledimplantation bleedingand isn’t cause for concern.
For example:
Perimenopause and Menopause
Perimenopauseis the phase leading up to menopause.
You may have spotting or periods that are shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter than usual.
You may even miss some periods.
Some women may be prescribedhormone therapy(or HT) to lessen perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
Bleeding after menopause is never normal.
It can have benign causes, however.
One commonsymptomof PCOS is irregular, absent, or heavy menstruation.
STIs symptoms may be accompanied by abnormal discharge, or pain or itching in the vaginal region.
you’re able to helpprevent STIsby using a condom every time you have sex.
DoxyPEP is also available to take after exposure to prevent some bacterial STIs.
It’s most common with low-dose forms of birth control.
People withIUDs may also experience spotting, especially during the first few months after placement.
Cancer
Many common cancers experienced by women rarely cause symptoms at early stages.
If early symptoms do occur, its often bleeding or spotting outside of menstruation.
Prevention
There are a number of possible causes for why your discharge is blood-colored.
Stress also can cause or worsen symptoms.
Avoiding the conditions that can lead to symptoms may help.
Consider keeping track of your cycle using an app, a calendar, or a diary.
In addition, your healthcare provider may ask questions about any other symptoms youre experiencing.
So monitoring any pain, dizziness, or other discharge will help direct them to a cause.
Summary
Bloody discharge can be normal and isnt always a sign of an emergency.
There are many cases where it is a normal body response.
It warrants evaluation if it occurs in any period of life.
When it comes to bloody discharge, it’s not always bad news.
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