Ongoing bleeding between periods

The bleeding pattern alone cannot identify the cause. Arrange an appointment even if the blood loss is light, particularly when it keeps returning, occurs after sex, or happens after menopause.

Hormonal contraception, missed pills, ovulation changes, pregnancy-related bleeding, and the transition toward menopause can alter bleeding. Chlamydia or another genital infection can inflame the cervix. Endometrial polyps and uterine fibroids can also cause bleeding outside the expected period.

Cervical dysplasia may cause no symptoms, though abnormal cervical cells can sometimes be associated with bleeding. Cervical cancer and womb cancer can present with unusual vaginal bleeding, but bleeding between periods has many non-cancerous explanations. Assessment is needed to distinguish them; the symptom does not show which diagnosis is present.

Record when bleeding starts, how much occurs, its relation to sex and periods, pain, discharge, contraception, medicines, and pregnancy possibility. A clinician may offer a pregnancy test, blood tests, infection testing, a pelvic examination, cervical screening when due, ultrasound, or a closer look at the womb lining depending on your history.

Avoid changing prescribed hormones without advice because stopping abruptly can further disrupt bleeding and reduce contraceptive protection. If pregnancy is possible, test promptly. Use pads if they help you judge blood loss, and note clots, dizziness, breathlessness, or worsening pelvic pain.

Seek urgent medical help if bleeding is rapidly soaking through protection, you feel faint or confused, you have chest pain or breathlessness, or severe pelvic pain develops. Pain or bleeding with a positive pregnancy test requires urgent assessment because an ectopic pregnancy must be excluded.

Fever, offensive discharge, or marked pelvic tenderness needs prompt review for infection. Any bleeding after menopause should be assessed without delay, even if it happens once or stops by itself.

Ask which causes fit your full history, whether pregnancy and infection have been excluded, whether your cervix and womb lining need examination, and when results will be available. Also ask how to manage bleeding now, whether your contraception should continue, and what change in symptoms should trigger urgent care.