Vaginal bleeding is a normal thing experienced by every woman when it comes to menstruation. However, for certain conditions, vaginal bleeding can be a sign of a disease. Therefore, this condition needs to be watched out for, especially if it has been going on for a long time.
Vaginal bleeding is considered abnormal if it occurs outside the menstrual cycle or occurs during the menstrual cycle but the bleeding is less or more than usual. In addition, vaginal bleeding is also considered abnormal if it occurs before puberty, during pregnancy, after menopause, or after sexual intercourse.
Causes of Vaginal Bleeding
There are many things that can cause a woman to experience vaginal discharge, namely:
1. Hormone imbalance
A woman's menstrual cycle is regulated by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. When the amount of these two hormones is not balanced or disturbed, a woman can experience bleeding from the vagina outside of menstruation.
Not only that, vaginal bleeding due to hormonal disorders can also be caused by other conditions, such as problems with the thyroid gland, side effects of hormonal contraceptives, or certain diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
2. Pregnancy complications
Vaginal bleeding or bleeding can occur in 1 in 3 pregnancies. In the first trimester, common causes of vaginal bleeding are implantation bleeding, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy.
Meanwhile, in the second and third trimesters, vaginal bleeding may be due to placenta previa, placental abruption, or fetal death in the womb. Vaginal bleeding can also occur before or during delivery.
If you are pregnant and experience vaginal bleeding, you should immediately consult a doctor or the nearest midwife.
3. Infection
Infections of the female reproductive organs, such as the vagina, cervix (cervix), and uterus, can also cause vaginal bleeding. Some infectious diseases that can cause vaginal bleeding include sexually transmitted infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and inflammation or sores on the cervix.
4. Benign tumors
Tumors or lumps that grow in the uterus or cervix can also cause vaginal bleeding. Examples of benign tumors that can cause vaginal bleeding are adenomyosis, cervical polyps, fibroids, and uterine polyps.
5. Cancer
In certain cases, vaginal bleeding can also be caused by cancer, such as cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer. This cancer usually only causes symptoms of vaginal bleeding when it has entered an advanced stage.
6. Certain diseases
There are several diseases that can also cause vaginal bleeding, such as diabetes, cirrhosis, lupus, Celiac disease, and blood clotting disorders.
Some other conditions that can also cause vaginal bleeding are sores on the vagina or cervix, menopause, stress, and side effects of drugs, such as blood thinners and chemotherapy.
If it happens occasionally and isn't much, vaginal bleeding is probably not a dangerous condition. However, you need to be vigilant and see a doctor immediately if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding, occur frequently, or are accompanied by other complaints such as fever, stomach pain, dizziness, and fatigue.
Vaginal bleeding with these symptoms could be caused by certain medical conditions that require medical attention.