What's going on with the bleeding?

Vaginal bleeding after sex is a common symptom among women. The specific manifestations of this symptom are also different. For example, some have regular cycles, some have irregular cycles, and some have no discernible cycle at all. Different types of vaginal bleeding have different causes. So, what are the causes of different symptoms of vaginal bleeding? The following will provide a detailed introduction!

1. Regular vaginal bleeding

(1) Increased menstrual flow: The main manifestation is normal menstrual cycle, but heavy menstrual flow or prolonged menstrual period. This type of bleeding is often related to uterine fibroids, adenomyosis or intrauterine contraceptive device placement.

(2) Intermenstrual bleeding: It occurs in the middle of two menstrual periods, usually lasting 3 to 4 days. The amount of bleeding is usually less than the amount of menstrual blood, and may occasionally be accompanied by lower abdominal pain or discomfort. This type of bleeding is caused by the rupture of the follicle during menstruation and a temporary drop in estrogen levels, also known as ovulation bleeding.

(3) Premenstrual or postmenstrual spotting: A small amount of vaginal bleeding that continues for several days before or after menstruation, often with continuous bleeding. It can be seen in ovulatory menstrual disorders or side effects of intrauterine contraceptive device placement. A similar situation can occur with endometriosis.

2. Irregular vaginal bleeding

(1) Contact bleeding: Vaginal bleeding that occurs immediately after sexual intercourse or vaginal examination. It is bright red and the amount can be more or less. It is common in acute cervicitis, early cervical cancer, cervical polyps or submucous uterine fibroids.

(2) Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding: If the patient is a woman of childbearing age with or without lower abdominal pain, nausea and other symptoms, pregnancy-related diseases should be considered first, such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or trophoblastic disease. If the patient is an adolescent woman with no sexual history or a perimenopausal woman with other symptoms, anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding should be considered. For the latter, reproductive tract malignancies should be excluded first.

(3) Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding: The amount of bleeding is generally small, and may continue or recur. Occasionally, it may be accompanied by lower abdominal pain. Endometrial cancer should be considered first, and it can also be seen in senile vaginitis or endometritis.

(4) Post-traumatic vaginal bleeding: This is common after a straddle injury. The amount of bleeding may be more or less, and is accompanied by pain in the vulva.

3. Long-term vaginal bleeding without any discernible cycle

It is usually caused by malignant tumors of the reproductive tract, and the possibility of cervical cancer or endometrial cancer should be considered first.