Recognize spotting between periods

Though it may cause apprehension, spotting between periods is not really an unusual occurrence. Typically, the menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days, with an average of 28 days. Spotting between periods takes place when there is vaginal blood flow in between the period after your last day of menstruation and the beginning of your next menstrual cycle. Women may commonly experience bleeding in between periods at some particular time in their reproductive lives. Vaginal spotting between periods does not generally pose a major cause for concern but still warrants attention from the gynecologist. However, there are some cases of bleeding in between periods that signal a more serious underlying medical condition that would need prompt intervention.

These blood discharges differ in color. Brown spotting in between periods means that blood has dried at a certain degree and has been confined to the cervix for a longer period of time. Bleeding in between periods that produces bright red blood indicates that it is new and fresh. On the other hand, a pink blood discharge that accompanies spotting in between periods denotes dilution. A very dark brown or blackish discharge during spotting in between periods signifies extremely old blood. At times, the color of discharge at the time of spotting in between periods may convey the length of time and pace blood has passed through the cervix. The color of blood does not necessarily pinpoint the exact causes of spotting. To arrive at an accurate diagnosis, further assessment and diagnostic procedures are needed to determine the cause of bleeding in between periods.

Another factor to be considered in the diagnosis of these vaginal discharges is the extent and duration of irregular blood flow. When vaginal blood flow associated with spotting in between periods is light in volume, such as in droplets or minute amounts, there is less cause for worry. In situations when there occurs heavy bleeding in between periods, such as when the sanitary pads get very saturated in a short period of time, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible. Depending upon the rate of blood flow, a prolonged duration of spotting between periods likewise needs critical intervention.

Vaginal bleeding between periods may not pose as a major health threat if one of the causes of spotting is related to ovulation. Spotting between periods is brought about by the abrupt and transient rise of the estrogen hormone connected with the release of the egg from the ovary during ovulation. This sudden increase of estrogen may contribute to light bleeding in between periods, especially if it occurs during the 13th to 16th day of the menstrual cycle. Ovulation spotting is characterized by a light blood flow and is either pinkish or brownish in color. Sometimes, the vaginal blood discharges of ovulation related to spotting in between periods are accompanied by a white-colored cervical mucus and mild lower abdominal cramping.

Severe physical, emotional and mental stress may also trigger spotting between periods. This type of light bleeding in between periods usually happens two to five days before or after the period starts. Stressors may elicit the brain to alter the menstrual process which leads to brown-colored discharge during the beginning half of the cycle. In cases when the ovulation does not occur or partially takes place, light spotting in between periods emerges at the last half of the menstrual cycle.

Other causes of spotting are incidences of implantation and bleeding or light spotting between periods associated with pregnancy. This mild spotting generally happens a week after ovulation or a week before the menstrual cycle is expected to start. Brown spotting between periods is evident because of the extended length of time for the blood to be expelled from the woman's body.

Perimenopausal spotting may most likely be expected among women nearing the age of late forties until the early fifties when menopause sets in. The primary causes of spotting during the menopause period are related to hormones in the woman's body that are undergoing extreme changes. Failure or inability to ovulate as menopause progresses contribute to spotting between periods as well as other symptoms, such as dryness of the external parts of the reproductive organ and lowered sexual desires. Commonly experienced among women in the perimenopausal stages are irregular and shortened length of menstruation, in which spotting between periods just happens a few days before the menstrual cycle starts. However, if perimenopausal spotting between periods is accompanied by any varying degree of abdominal or vaginal pain, immediate medical attention is needed.

Certain types of birth control methods may also cause spotting in between periods. Intrauterine device, or IUD, and birth control injections among the birth control methods are most likely to bring about spotting between periods. Vaginal spotting between periods is also manifested in medical conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine polyps, malignancies in the reproductive organs, vaginal infections, thyroid disorders and diabetes.

Period blood clots, reason, medication and prevention

Blood clot causes are several. They are generally caused by long periods of inactivity. Long stays at the hospital, sitting for very long periods and birth control pills are some of the other causes. When we cut our skin blood oozes out and if we press and hold it for a while it coagulates and stops. But blood flowing through the body should always in liquid form. Without the uninterrupted flow of blood in the body, tissues and cells will die out. Blood clot symptoms include swelling and aching of the affected part. People who are obese or have heart problems are in the high risk category. Varicose veins also induce blood clotting.

When clots do happen they cut off blood supply to the brain resulting in a stroke. Clots can also induce heart attacks. A clot formed in any part of the body can travel through the veins to the lungs. Such a clot is called a thrombus. Clots formed in different parts of the body are known by different names. Some people inherit the tendency of greater blood coagulation. This condition is known as hyper coagulation and is extremely dangerous.

Reasons

Travelling in a plane or car sitting for long periods may induce a clot. Stretching legs, moving around in the plane or getting down from the car to move around are important to prevent it from doing so. Stretching exercises are also very helpful.

Cancer patients are more prone to clots. Symptoms include swelling and pain. Chest pain and shortness of breath are indicators of the blood clot moving to the lungs.

People who are prone to blood clots should keep their legs at a higher level on a pillow when they sleep or raise the lower end bed posts by a few inches. Compression stockings are also very useful in preventing the clots.

Medication

Some of the important drugs used to prevent clots are heparin and warfarin. People going on long distance journey can take a shot of heparin as a preventive measure. It is commonly used blood clot treatment. Heparin acts much faster than the other drugs. Men have a greater chance of having a clot than women.

Doctors still are not too sure about medication and dosage. But immediate treatment increases the chances of recovery. Patients with different types of cancer who are treated with statins show reduction in clotting.

Prevention

As with most other diseases healthy food, exercises and weight control are important in the prevention of clots. Blood clot symptoms also need medication and a change in lifestyle.

Bloating during period treatment

Bloating during period times can be a real pain. It can make your clothes feel like they were made for someone else. It can make you feel uncomfortable and unattractive. It can even add undue stress on your joints and muscles, contributing to menstrual cramps. So, it's important to try to cure menstrual bloating before it begins.

Medications:

Medications really won't stop menstrual bloating. In fact, taking medication during your period usually won't stop any menstrual symptoms at all. All most period medications do is relieve discomfort temporarily and mask the symptoms. In fact, some medications can cause side effects and allergic reactions and make matters worse.

Hormone Levels:

Instead of using medications to mask the issue, you really need to try to treat bloating at its source. That source can be traced back to your hormones. Your body produces a lot of hormones during menstruation. Occasionally, it can produce too many hormones. That can lead to bad cramps, heavy bleeding and pools of blood in the pelvis, which can add to that bloated feeling that you may experience.

Of course, hormone levels also cause your body to retain some amount of water no matter what. So, you may find yourself feeling a bit bloated each month, even if you don't have blood pooling in your pelvis or heavy flow. However, if you can control your hormone levels then you can often reduce bloating and other symptoms.

Treating The Problem With Herbal Remedies:

Herbal remedies are some of the best ways to treat period symptoms, including bloating. For example, evening primrose is an herbal remedy that has long been known for its ability to reduce menstrual bloating. Together with other herbs, such as black cohosh and white willow bark, it can help to reduce all of your menstrual problems.

Herbal remedies are also good for relieving period symptoms because many of them contain important vitamins and minerals. For example, vitamins A, B, C, E and K are all known for reducing headaches, mood swings, bloating, cramps and even heavy bleeding. So, you should get plenty of them in your diet or supplement your diet with a supplement pill that is geared towards treating period symptoms and contains each of those vitamins.

Of course, certain minerals are also important, especially calcium and magnesium. Calcium isn't just known for keeping bones strong and healthy. It can also protect your body during your period by reducing water retention, bloating and menstrual cramps. Magnesium can also help your body to reduce cramping and it can even help calcium to be absorbed by and utilized by your body in a more efficient manner.

Eat Right:

Even the most perfect period supplement pill won't help unless you eat right. One of the biggest causes of extra bloating during periods is eating salty snack foods. Salt will cause your body to retain more water. So, it's important to avoid the temptation to eat unhealthy snacks. Instead, eat more fruits and vegetables and you should be able to reduce bloating during period times.