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Dark blood between periods: possible causes

Where Bleeding Between Periods is typically felt, shown on a simplified body outline
Illustration: Where Bleeding Between Periods is typically felt, shown on a simplified body outline

Short answer

Dark blood between periods is often older blood, but bleeding that repeats, changes, or causes other symptoms should be assessed.

This answers one question. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an assessment by a licensed doctor.

At a glance

Appearance
Dark brown or red blood may be older blood.
Track
Timing, amount, pain, discharge, medicines, and contraception.
Escalate
Severe pain, faintness, fever, or heavy bleeding needs urgent help.

Possible causes

Bleeding between periods can happen with hormonal changes, contraception, irritation, or Chlamydia. Endometrial polyps and uterine fibroids can also cause irregular bleeding. Cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer can present with bleeding between periods; this symptom does not mean that a person probably has cancer. Womb cancer is another reason persistent or new bleeding needs assessment.

Practical next steps

Record the first and last day of the bleeding, its colour and amount, and any pelvic pain, unusual discharge, fever, or bleeding after sex. Check whether pregnancy is possible and tell the clinician about contraception, recent procedures, and medicines. Arrange care if the pattern is new, keeps returning, or is accompanied by pain. Testing may include a pregnancy test, infection testing, an examination, or imaging.

When it needs urgent attention

Seek urgent help for heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided pelvic pain, faintness, shoulder-tip pain, fever, or weakness. Get prompt advice for bleeding after menopause, bleeding during pregnancy, or bleeding with foul-smelling discharge.

Questions for your doctor

Ask which causes fit the timing of your bleeding, whether infection or pregnancy testing is needed, and whether the cervix or womb needs closer examination. Ask what change in amount, pain, or frequency should trigger urgent review and whether follow-up testing is required.

Find care

General Clinics & Polyclinics in Abu Dhabi

That answer is general. If you want it applied to your own case, these are licensed general clinics & polyclinics listed in Abu Dhabi.

City
See every listing in Abu Dhabi

Ordered by verification status and how complete each clinic's public record is, then alphabetically. This is a directory listing, not a ranking — Zavis does not rate or recommend providers.

A factual listing drawn from the DHA, DOH and MOHAP licence registers. It is not a referral, an endorsement, or advice that any of these providers is right for you.

Questions people ask

Can dark blood between periods be harmless?

It can have a minor explanation, but a new or repeated pattern should be assessed rather than diagnosed by colour.

Could an infection cause this bleeding?

Yes, infections such as Chlamydia can cause irregular bleeding, so testing may be appropriate.

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Medical disclaimer. This page is general health information, not medical advice, and it cannot diagnose you. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider about your own symptoms and treatment. In an emergency in the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance.