What Are the Causes of Abnormal Bleeding?

Abnormal bleeding is not just a problem for women of reproductive age, it can affect even women in menopause. There are several reasons for abnormal bleeding, most are benign, but in certain cases, abnormal bleeding may be a sign of cervical, or uterine cancer. Having regular checkups is the only way to be certain of the cause.

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

• Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is defined as any abnormal vaginal bleeding that is not attributed to a trauma. Statistics given by MedlinePlus state that 20 percent of adolescent women, and 40 percent of women over 40, have this condition.

Hormonal Imbalances

• Estrogen and progesterone are two hormones greatly responsible for the regulation of menstruation, ovulation, and pregnancy. If their levels fluctuate even in the slightest, it may cause your menstrual cycles to become abnormal, or even cause bleeding between periods.

Oral Contraceptives

• Abnormal bleeding or spotting, irregular periods, and absent periods, are common side-effects of certain oral contraceptives namely Yaz and Seasonique. Other forms of birth control such as Depo-Provera injections may also cause abnormal bleeding.

Abnormal Uterine Growths

• Uterine growths such as uterine polyps, and uterine fibroids, may cause abnormal bleeding and pain. These growths form on and within the uterine lining, and are almost always benign.

Menopausal Bleeding

• During menopause, levels of the hormone estrogen have greatly decreased. This causes menstrual cycles to stop, the uterine lining to become thin, and the vagina to shorten. Thinning vaginal walls may cause blood vessels inside to weaken and burst spontaneously, causing bleeding.