About Bleeding Between Menstrual Cycles

Hormonal Fluctuations

• During normal menstrual cycles, estrogen is increased to induce ovulation. This simultaneously causes the uterine lining to build up in anticipation of conception. When a pregnancy does not occur, the lining sheds along with uterine blood through the cervix as a menstrual period. If estrogen levels are too high, or lower than usual, your period may be heavier than normal or sporadic. This also can cause intermittent bleeding between cycles.
  
  

Vaginal Injuries

• The vagina is delicate, and any amount of trauma can cause it to bleed. Injuries such as STDs, yeast infections, bacterial infections, rough sexual relations or insertion of foreign objects can cause vaginal bleeding. Bleeding stemming from injuries or infection generally are accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain, change in discharge consistency or vaginal odor.
  
  

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

• An Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a "T" shaped device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs can stay in the uterus anywhere from five to ten years and can cause abnormal menstrual cycles. In particular, the ParaGard brand can cause your menses to be heavier, longer or more painful. ParaGard also can cause in-between bleeding, or spotting. Spotting generally occurs even without these side effects and is no cause for concern, unless the bleeding is heavy and accompanied by pain.
  
  

Miscarriage

• Miscarriages happen when any pregnancy ends abruptly before a fetus can survive on its own. The main symptom of a miscarriage is heavy vaginal bleeding. Some women are unaware of a pregnancy until unexplained bleeding occurs. This can happen before the cycle is due to begin or during the time it normally arrives. Miscarriages in this early stage generally end on their own without the need for medical intervention. This is called a complete miscarriage. After a miscarriage, it may take several months for your cycles to return to normal, so you will experience spotting soon after the miscarriage.
  
  

Vaginal Dryness

• Vaginal dryness can occur for several reasons including menopause, childbirth, breastfeeding, immune disorders and cigarette smoking. All of these symptoms cause the estrogen to decrease, which directly causes vaginal dryness. Estrogen is responsible for keeping vaginal tissue at optimum health by insuring constant lubrication. This lubrication protects the vagina from infections. Without the proper amount of estrogen, these defenses fail, resulting in vaginal dryness. This dryness can cause slight vaginal bleeding, until treated.