What makes you bleed between periods

It's common for people to refer to any bleeding outside of a period as spotting. However, spotting, breakthrough bleeding, and other issues differ in the timing and amount of bleeding. Bleeding separate from your period that's heavy enough to require feminine products is called breakthrough bleeding. Normal menstrual bleeding lasts for about five to seven days. While menstruation usually occurs an average of every 28 days, between 21 to 35 days between periods is considered normal.

Most females get to know their own cycles after a few years of menstruating. Although it may seem like you are losing a lot of blood, it usually only measures between two and eight tablespoons. About 14 days after the start of your period, you ovulate and release an egg from the ovary.

Although the reasons for irregular bleeding can vary according to individual health situations, pregnancy, birth control, and infection are some of the more common causes. Several possible causes are related to pregnancy:. You may see bleeding related to your birth control method:. Bleeding may be seen in conditions that affect your hormones:. There are several infectious diseases that may cause bleeding:.

Light bleeding right before or after your period is not considered spotting but is just a normal part of your period. Various possible causes include:. Use your menstrual cycle calendar to record the number of tampons or pads you use. This information can help your healthcare provider determine whether or not you are bleeding excessively.

Any unexplained vaginal bleeding between periods is a reason to call your healthcare provider. While it needs to be reported at any age, it is especially a concern for people who haven't yet gone through puberty and for females who are past menopause. If you are pregnant and you have spotting or bleeding, you need to see your healthcare provider. You should seek immediate medical care if the bleeding is heavy, or if it is accompanied by pain, fever, dizziness, chills, nausea, or vomiting.

You should expect to give your full medical history when you visit your healthcare provider for a diagnosis of bleeding or spotting between periods. If you've kept a menstrual cycle calendar, it will help.

If you are pregnant or recently had a miscarriage or abortion, it is important to let your healthcare provider know. The same applies if you have experienced any injury or undergone any intrauterine medical or surgical procedure.

Remember to inform your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter medications including herbal supplements that you are taking. You might have a pelvic exam, including a Pap smear if you haven't had one recently.

Additional tests, such as blood tests or imaging tests might be needed as well. The treatment for your vaginal or uterine bleeding will depend on your diagnosis. The most common cause of bleeding between periods is hormonal and can include the use of hormonal contraceptives or the process of going through menopause. Women who smoke or skip birth control pill doses are more likely to experience breakthrough bleeding than non-smokers or those who adhere to the prescribed hormonal contraceptive schedule.

If you experience fever, dizziness, bruising, or pain while bleeding between periods, you should contact your healthcare provider.

You are right to be concerned about abnormal vaginal bleeding, and you should discuss it with your healthcare provider. While it may have a cause that is only a minor concern, it can also be a sign of a condition that needs attention, including pregnancy or miscarriage. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

American Pregnancy Association. Spotting during pregnancy. Updated July 13, Whitaker L, Critchley HO. Abnormal uterine bleeding. Normal menstrual flow lasts about 5 days. It produces a total blood loss of 30 to 80 mL about 2 to 8 tablespoons , and occurs normally every 21 to 35 days. Vaginal bleeding that occurs between periods or after menopause can be caused by various problems.

Most are benign and can be easily treated. Sometimes, vaginal bleeding may be due to cancer or pre-cancer.

Therefore, any unusual bleeding should be evaluated right away. Make sure that bleeding is coming from the vagina and is not from the rectum or the urine. Inserting a tampon into the vagina will confirm the vagina, cervix, or uterus as the source of bleeding. A careful exam by your health care provider is most often the best way to find the source of the bleeding. This exam can be done even while you are bleeding. Keep track of the number of pads or tampons used over time so that the amount of bleeding can be determined.

Uterine blood loss can be estimated by keeping track of how frequently a pad or tampon is soaked and how often one needs to be changed. If possible, aspirin should be avoided, as it may prolong bleeding. The provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history. The physical exam will include a pelvic exam. Most causes of intermenstrual bleeding are easily treatable. The problem can most often be diagnosed without too much discomfort.

Therefore, it is important not to delay in having this problem evaluated by your provider. Bulun SE. These benign cysts occur in the uterus and can cause these bleeding symptoms. Bleeding and spotting between periods can be the first sign a woman is pregnant.

Bleeding can occur when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus. Some women bleed sporadically during the first three months of pregnancy, so it is not often cause for concern. Hormones affect women in countless ways. Progesterone helps stabilize the uterus, and if a woman is not producing enough progesterone during their cycle, some of the lining of the uterus can slough off creating bleeding and spotting 5 to 7 days prior to a period.

This is not a real problem for most women unless you are planning to become pregnant. An imbalance in the hormone estrogen can also cause spotting between periods. This may affect women during perimenopause and menopause. With excess thyroid hormones, women may experience very heavy periods.

Sometimes women battling a simple illness like the flu can experience spotting, but more serious infections could also be triggering sporadic bleeding.

If you suspect you may have an STD, visit your specialist. Serious infections in the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes known as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease can also produce spotting, making it even more important to schedule regular screenings with Mid-City OB-GYN.