What is the difference between vaginal bleeding and menstruation?

The arrival of menstruation every month is a natural physiological phenomenon. It is caused by the shedding of the endometrium on the uterine wall, which discharges excess substances in the uterus and is very beneficial to the health of the uterus. But vaginal bleeding is different. It is likely caused by pregnancy or certain gynecological diseases. At this time, a comprehensive examination of the uterus is required to find the cause of the bleeding before treatment can be started to avoid the disease from becoming a disease. Not only will the difficulty of treatment increase, but there will also be risks to health.

What is the difference between vaginal bleeding and menstruation?

1. First, you need to check whether you are pregnant, because pregnancy may also cause vaginal bleeding.

2. To distinguish between vaginal bleeding and menstruation, you need to know whether your menstruation is regular, when your menstruation usually occurs, how many days it lasts, and the amount of menstruation. Non-menstrual bleeding is abnormal vaginal bleeding.

3. Vaginal bleeding can come from the vulva, vagina, cervix, and endometrium, but most cases come from the uterus. There are many causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as ovarian endocrine dysfunction, abnormal ginseng, tumors, reproductive tract inflammation, injury, foreign bodies, or systemic diseases.

4. Age is an important reference value for the identification of vaginal bleeding: vaginal bleeding in young girls and postmenopausal women (elderly women) is mostly considered to be malignant tumors; vaginal bleeding in adolescent women is first considered to be dysfunctional uterine bleeding (abbreviated as functional uterine bleeding); women of childbearing age are mostly considered to have pregnancy-related diseases.

Vaginal bleeding can be roughly divided into the following types:

1. The menstrual volume increases and the menstrual period is prolonged but the cycle is normal. It may be uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, or dysfunctional uterine bleeding. In addition, those who have used an intrauterine device may also have increased menstrual flow.

2. Vaginal bleeding with irregular menstrual cycle. It is often functional uterine bleeding, but endometrial cancer should be ruled out first.

3. Long-term vaginal bleeding. Most of them are malignant tumors of reproductive organs, such as cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, etc.

4. Irregular bleeding after menopause. Women of childbearing age are more likely to be at risk of pregnancy-related diseases, such as ectopic pregnancy, hydatidiform mole, etc.; postmenopausal women are more likely to have malignant tumors.

5. Bleeding after sexual intercourse. Most of them are cervical erosion, cervical polyps, cervical cancer or submucosal myoma.

6. Vaginal bleeding with leucorrhea. It is often considered to be advanced cervical cancer or endometrial cancer with infection.

7. Paroxysmal vaginal bleeding. There is a possibility of primary fallopian tube cancer.

8. Intermenstrual bleeding. It occurs between two menstrual periods, lasts for 3-4 days, and when the amount of blood is very small, it is mostly ovulation bleeding.

9. Spotting before and after menstruation. A small amount of bloody discharge a few days before or after menstruation is usually due to ovarian dysfunction, but may also be endometriosis.

If any of the above situations occur, you should rule out menstruation and instead think it is abnormal vaginal bleeding and go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment in time.

Causes of vaginal bleeding without menstruation:

1. Trauma and inflammation: Inflammation and trauma of the vulva and vagina are common causes of vaginal bleeding in girls.

2. Precocious puberty: Vaginal bleeding in girls before the age of 10. There was a case of vaginal bleeding in a three-and-a-half-year-old girl. After examination, trauma and inflammation were ruled out. B-ultrasound revealed a solid mass in the lower abdomen. Pathological examination after surgery showed that it was an endodermal sinus tumor.

3. Irregular vaginal bleeding: a common manifestation of functional uterine bleeding in adolescence.

4. Vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse: It is not uncommon for teenage girls to have sexual intercourse. The vagina of young girls is not yet fully developed, and if they are too nervous during intercourse, their muscles may spasm, which can easily cause tears in the vaginal wall or vulva. If fresh blood appears immediately after sexual intercourse, early cervical cancer, cervical polyps, or submucous uterine fibroids should also be considered.

5. Vaginal bleeding between two menstrual periods: It occurs 14 to 15 days before the next menstrual period, lasts for 3 to 4 days, and the amount of blood is very small. It may be accompanied by mild lower abdominal pain and discomfort. It is mostly ovulation bleeding and generally does not require treatment. Basal body temperature often changes during ovulation.

6. Vaginal bleeding after menopause: Girls who have sexual life should first consider pregnancy-related diseases, such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, hydatidiform mole, etc.

7. Post-abortion bleeding: After a spontaneous abortion or an artificial abortion, vaginal bleeding usually stops within 3 to 7 days, and normal menstruation resumes after one month. However, if there is continuous vaginal bleeding, it may be that there is residual fetal membrane tissue in the uterus, and uterine curettage is required as soon as possible.

8. Bleeding after taking contraceptive pills: If the bleeding occurs in the first half of the menstrual period, it may be due to low estrogen levels; if the bleeding occurs in the second half of the menstrual period, it is mostly due to insufficient progesterone. Both need to be adjusted under the guidance of a doctor.