Bleeding from the reproductive organ – division and causes

Proven content

Bleeding from the reproductive organ can occur in any woman and at any time in her life. In 75 percent. inappropriate bleeding is caused by functional disorders on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovaries axis and most often affects women in the puberty period. In other cases, the bleeding is organic and may therefore be directly related to the neoplastic disease or changes that precede this disease.

Bleeding from the reproductive organ – division

Bleeding from the female reproductive organ can be organic or functional in origin. Therefore, they may be associated with the presence of some diseases of the genital tract, e.g. erosions, cysts, polyps, cancer. On the other hand, functional disorders are of the nature of hormonal disorders. Any abnormal vaginal bleeding causes a woman anxiety, especially if it occurs between periods, after intercourse, or right after menstruation. Disturbing bleeding should not be ignored as it may indicate more serious conditions, such as cancer.

Menstrual bleeding is usually regular, while disturbances may include the duration, regularity and severity of bleeding. A woman’s normal monthly cycle ranges from 21-23 to 35 days (counting from the first day of the last menstruation). Cycles shorter than 21-35 days are called frequent, while cycles longer than 35 days are rare. Menstrual bleeding should last up to 7 days.

Bleeding from the reproductive organ – causes

In newborns female genital spotting may appear. It may be the result of stimulation of the endometrium of the newborn by placental estrogens. Whereas during childhood bleeding is most often the result of vaginal injuries, as well as vulva injuries, less often massive inflammations, often associated with the presence of a foreign body in the genital tract. Very rarely, bleeding during this period may indicate vaginal cancer. Functional bleeding at this stage of life may also be associated with the presence of hormonally active ovarian tumors.

Bleeding may also be caused by changes not related to the reproductive organ, such as:

1. adrenal gland cancer,
2. Hypothyroidism,
3. changes in the central nervous system.

Therefore, every mother should be particularly alert to the appearance of bleeding in a child and report the problem to the pediatrician attending the child and, if possible, to a pediatric gynecologist.

Puberty is often accompanied by disturbances in menstruation. They can take a clinical form juvenile bleedingas a result of which many systemic changes may arise.

In the period of maturity in a woman the most common bleeding from the reproductive organ is associated with prolonged and / or heavy menstruation, too frequent menstruation or the appearance of intermenstrual bleeding. They can be caused, for example, by the use of oral contraceptives or by erosions and polyps of the cervix. Blood diseases can also be the basis of this type of bleeding. It should be mentioned that abnormal bleeding from the genital tract may be the result of disorders in the coagulation system in the case of haematological diseases, such as: leukemia, thrombocytopenia, haemolytic anemia. Coagulation disorders (and therefore the possibility of abnormal vaginal bleeding) can occur in serious liver and kidney diseases. They may also result from the use of drugs deliberately reducing blood clotting, especially during the treatment of cardiovascular diseases or vascular thrombotic changes. Therefore, there are many causes of intermenstrual bleeding, and their occurrence should always be an indication for a visit to a doctor.

In the event of bleeding in a woman of reproductive age, the possibility of a coexistence of pregnancy, and thus the risk of miscarriage, should always be considered. It should also be mentioned that abnormal bleeding often accompanies the incorrect location of the pregnancy outside the uterine cavity, i.e. ectopic pregnancy. In the course of ectopic (ectopic) pregnancy, there is a triad of symptoms: abdominal pain, abdominal pain and amenorrhea. Bleeding is especially dangerous in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Pregnant women with bleeding during this period should see a specialist immediately, as there is a risk of detachment of the placenta or placenta previa. It should be mentioned that such conditions can be life-threatening not only for the mother, but also for the unborn child. A severe and severe haemorrhage is an indication for a cesarean section.

Abnormal bleeding from the reproductive organ of unknown cause is common in the so-called endometriosis. The bleeding, often profuse, may be caused by injuries to the vagina and perineum resulting from trauma to the area. Typical for endometrial hyperplasia is the occurrence of long (even several weeks) bleeding, which varies in intensity. Usually, hyperplasia occurs as a result of an imbalance between the amount of progesterone and estrogen. In any case, such bleeding should undergo a procedure during which material is collected for histopathological examination. Only the test result provides an answer to the question of what lesion we are dealing with. The growths may be benign, then hormonal treatment under the supervision of a doctor is sufficient. However, when the lesions have abnormal cells indicating the presence of a precancerous condition or cancer – the uterus should be removed.

Bleeding from the reproductive organ is often associated with polypoid lesions and the presence of glandular epithelium in the vaginal part of the cervix. Very characteristic of these changes is bleeding during or after intercourse, i.e. contact bleeding. Such bleeding is also characteristic of lesions located on the cervix, which are precancerous conditions, and also of clinically developed cervical cancer. A woman with this type of bleeding should immediately undergo a specialist gynecological examination, which includes, in addition to the physical examination, Pap smear and colposcopy.

Bleeding from the reproductive organ can often be the first sign of existence fibroidsespecially located under the lining of the womb (endometrium). Even small fibroids in this location can distort the uterine cavity and cause bleeding.

Functional ovarian cysts should always be considered in the event of suspected vaginal bleeding.

In young women, such changes may disappear on their own. However, constant gynecological and ultrasound control is necessary. It is worse when abnormal bleeding accompanies nodular changes, most often solid ovary. This type of bleeding is most often indicative of hormonally active weaving of the tumor.

Bleeding from the genital tract can also take place after intercourse. This ailment is an indication for a visit to a gynecologist. He will examine the cervix and vagina with a speculum and with two hands. Sometimes it is necessary to perform a cytology. The cause of bleeding after intercourse may be mechanical injuries, e.g. abrasion of the mucosa, but other more serious causes should always be ruled out. Determining the cause of this ailment is of great importance, as bleeding from the reproductive organ during intercourse is one of the symptoms of cervical ray. In addition, bleeding after intercourse may occur in women with erosions or cervical and endometrial polyps. The presence of pseudo-erosion causes not only bleeding after intercourse, but also bleeding between cycles. Most often, it is recommended to remove this type of lesion with laser therapy or cryotherapy (erosion of erosions).

Any bleeding from the reproductive organ should be a cause for concern in the postmenopausal period. Bleeding is considered to be any bleeding that occurs more than 6 months after the last period. The cause of bleeding during this period may be benign changes, e.g. atrophic vaginal epithelium or endometrium, as well as polypoid lesions or abnormal growths of the endometrium, often at risk of neoplastic disease or an already clinically fully developed form of endometrial cancer. uterus. The bleeding often looks like meat washes.

Because any bleeding from the reproductive organ in the postmenopausal period should be reported to a doctor, and the woman should undergo specialist gynecological diagnostics, including: gynecological examination extended to ultrasound diagnostics of the reproductive organ, and, if possible, to endoscopy (hysteroscopy) of the uterine cavity. If any oncological risk is suspected, the diagnosis should be extended to the histopathological evaluation of the tissue material obtained by “curettage” of the cervical canal and the uterine cavity or as a result of a biopsy performed under the control of a colposcope. Only the test result obtained in this way will allow the correct selection of the treatment method, starting from observation and subsequent checks, through pharmacological treatment, to surgery.