Bleeding between periods

I am a 40- year old lady who has been bleeding between my periods for the past 12 months. I am not on any contraceptive pills. Kindly advise me on what to do.

Olukemi (by SMS)

Bleeding between periods can have a range of causes, including hormonal changes and injury. If the blood flow is light, it is called ‘spotting’. Bleeding between periods refers to any bleeding that occurs after the period ends or before the next period is due to begin. When this happens, someone may notice light brown spotting in their underwear or a heavy flow resembling a regular period. The medical term for bleeding between periods is metrorrhagia. It is also known as spotting or breakthrough bleeding.

The menstrual cycle refers to the time between the first day of one period and the first day of the next. The cycle typically lasts around 28 days. There is a variety of reasons for bleeding between periods. One of them is Menopause or perimenopause. Although menopause usually begins at around 51 years, however, some people may experience early menopause at around 40–45 years. It occurs when someone has not had a period for 1 year. Perimenopause is the period leading up to menopause. This can last for up to 10 years as hormone levels in the body change. Hormone levels are often unstable during perimenopause. This can cause irregular periods, spotting, and heavy bleeding.

Another cause of irregular bleeding could be polyps in the cervix or vagina. Polyps are small growths. They can develop in the uterus or on the cervix, which is the structure between the vagina and uterus. In some cases, polyps can cause bleeding and a doctor may need to remove them. The most common reasons for vaginal bleeding between periods are hormonal contraceptives or changes relating to menopause. Regular cervical screening is an essential part of preventive healthcare that can help to find any unusual cells early. Being aware of any other symptoms and seeking medical advice can help a doctor to diagnose or rule out a possible health problem.

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