Why Am I Struggling to Have a Second Baby?
Do you know how many children you want to have? Unfortunately, some couples find that secondary infertility — the inability to get and stay pregnant after giving birth at least once — changes their plans.
Why Do I Have Cramps and Spotting Between Periods?
Most women experience bleeding between periods, or intermenstrual bleeding, on occasion. It is generally not a cause for concern. However, some serious conditions that require treatment can also cause spotting.
The best way to find out if you should be worried or not is to schedule a visit with Dr. Parisa Pourzand. You may need diagnostic tests and a physical exam, but in most instances Dr. Pourzand can determine the cause for your between-period bleeding and determine an effective treatment plan for you at her clinics in Glendale and Los Angeles, California.
Common causes of intermenstrual bleeding
For most women, a normal menstrual cycle lasts between 21 and 35 days, and your period lasts for a few days up to a week. If you have bleeding otherwise, either minimal or heavy, accompanied by cramps or not, it’s considered abnormal. Some of the common reasons for intermenstrual bleeding include:
Hormonal imbalance
If you recently began using hormonal birth control, you may experience some spotting between periods as your body adjusts to different levels of estrogen and progesterone. Other things that can affect your hormonal balance are a problem with your thyroid gland or a dysfunction of your ovaries.
Uterine fibroids
Most women have uterine fibroids but many never know it. Fibroids are non-cancerous growths in your uterus. Often they are small and don’t cause any problems, but sometimes they get large and can lead to heavy periods, cramping, or bleeding between periods.
Infection
Several different types of infections can lead to bleeding. Sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia can cause bleeding, as can pelvic inflammatory disease and others.
Perimenopause
The months and years leading up to menopause often involve irregularity of your periods and you may have spotting in between periods.
Cancers
Various cancers, like cervical cancer or ovarian cancer, can cause intermenstrual bleeding.
Treatment
With so many potential causes of bleeding between periods, you can see that the best treatment depends on the cause. You may need to try a new birth control, or you may need treatment for a serious disease.
One thing that you can do prior to your appointment with Dr. Pourzand is to keep a record of your symptoms. Track your cycle, noting how long your period lasts, whether you bleed heavily, have cramps, and how severe they are. Also note any bleeding between, whether you have cramps, and whether you’re spotting or bleeding more heavily.
That information, combined with a physical exam, a discussion of your medical history, and any relevant diagnostic tests will help Dr. Pourzand understand why you’re experiencing between-period bleeding and cramping.
She discusses your results with you, and suggests a treatment plan based on your symptoms and the underlying cause of your intermenstrual bleeding. You’re always invited to ask questions during your appointment.
Abnormal bleeding and cramping don’t have to be one more thing for you to worry about. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Pourzand today!
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