What is spotting after my period if I’m not on my period? Why am I bleeding after my period?
Why am I bleeding after my period?
Vaginal bleeding, also spotting after a period outside the menstrual period, is called intermenstrual bleeding. It is slight bleeding between menstrual cycles and lasts about two days, caused by leak bleeding or ovulation spotting.
Spotting after a period is considered normal after performing gynecological exams or changing contraceptives without any necessary treatment, so it does not suggest any health problem.
However, a small amount of bleeding outside the menstrual period can also be a sign of pregnancy when it appears 2 to 3 days after unprotected intimate contact or it can be a symptom of premenopause when it occurs in women over 40 years of age.
Why am I bleeding after my period? Main causes:
The leading causesare:
- Stress
Stress is one of the leading causes of spotting after a period since it produces situations in which the woman feels overloaded and limited in carrying out her activities, which generates hormonal imbalance.
What to do: in cases of mild stress, exercise and aromatherapy are recommended, and in moderate to severe cases, in which stress causes physical discomfort in addition to bleeding outside the menstrual period, a psychologist should be consulted for help to develop tools to cope with stressful situations.
- Change of contraceptive method
Changing the contraceptive method in its different presentations, whether pills, injections, patches, or implants, is one of the common causes of spotting after a period at the beginning of this change. This is because the levels of hormones can vary according to the new type of contraceptive.
What to do: If the bleeding is slight, wait a week. It should stop in the first few days. If the bleeding continues, the ideal is to go to the gynecologist to evaluate if the cause of the bleeding is really the change of contraceptive.
- Uterine polyps
Uterine polyps are more common in women in menopause. However, they can also arise in younger women; may cause difficulty in becoming pregnant and menstrual disturbances, such as an irregular menstrual period, vaginal bleeding between each menstruation and after intimate contact, and even abdominal pain that intensifies during the period.
What to do: In most cases, uterine polyps do not need treatment. However, the doctor may treat them if the woman is at risk of developing uterine cancer.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
Various cysts characterize polycystic ovary syndrome in the ovary due to a hormonal imbalance, which can cause alterations in the menstrual cycle, one of which is irregular bleeding.
What to do: treatment includes changes in lifestyle, such as exercise, a balanced diet, and losing weight; and in cases with more severe symptoms, the doctor may indicate the use of oral contraceptives to regulate the menstrual cycle, for example. Learn more about the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.
- Thyroid problems
Some thyroid disorders can cause spotting after a period. Thyroid hormones directly influence the functioning of the reproductive system, interacting with women’s sex hormones, such as estrogens and progesterone, causing imbalances in the menstrual cycle, such as irregular bleeding and even problems getting pregnant.
What to do: go to an endocrinologist to evaluate the function of the thyroid and confirm the alteration for appropriate treatment.
- Infections
Vaginal infections caused by parasites, fungi, or bacteria, including sexually transmitted infections, can cause bleeding after sexual intercourse, which can worsen if left untreated and even cause cervical cancer, for example.
What to do: depending on the type of infection, the doctor at the USA Fibroids Center may indicate the use of medications to combat the causal agent, such as antibiotics or antifungals.
- ● After gynecological exams
Because some gynecological procedures can be invasive, such as pap smears, for example, it is expected that there may be slight vaginal bleeding, and no treatment is necessary.
What to do: If the bleeding lasts more than two days or the amount is moderate to severe, go to the gynecologist for an evaluation.
In order not to be confused with spotting after your period, know when your period should come down again:
Why am I bleeding after my period? When to go to the doctor
It is advisable to consult the gynecologist at the USA Fibroids Center if the exhaust bleeding is excessive for more than three days or more than three cycles.
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