Diarrhea and Bleeding Between Periods

Loose stools can occur with a stomach infection, food intolerance, medicines or the bowel changes that accompany some periods. Bleeding between periods may relate to hormonal contraception, ovulation, infection, cervical changes, uterine fibroids, polyps or other womb conditions. Chlamydia and other pelvic infections can cause bleeding with discharge or pain. Because bowel symptoms do not identify the source of vaginal bleeding, a clinician may ask about cycle timing, pregnancy possibility, bowel changes, sexual health and medicines.

Record when the bleeding and diarrhoea started, how often stools occur, their appearance, pain, fever, medicines and where you are in your cycle. Drink frequent fluids and use oral rehydration advice if diarrhoea is significant. Avoid taking anti-diarrhoeal medicine if you have blood in the stool or a high fever without medical advice. Arrange a consultation for new or recurring intermenstrual bleeding; assessment may include a pregnancy test, examination, infection testing or imaging depending on your symptoms.

Seek urgent help for heavy vaginal bleeding, faintness, severe or one-sided pelvic pain, a positive pregnancy test with bleeding, black or bloody stools, severe dehydration, persistent vomiting or a high fever. Prompt review is also needed for bleeding after sex, bleeding after menopause, or bleeding with unexplained weight loss or marked fatigue. These warning signs need attention regardless of whether diarrhoea seems mild.

Ask whether the bleeding pattern suggests a cervical, womb or hormonal cause, whether infection or pregnancy testing is needed, how to manage diarrhoea safely, and which changes should trigger urgent review.