Heavy Bleeding Between Periods: Causes, Risks, Diagnosis and Treatment

Every month, the uterine lining thickens to prepare for pregnancy. If impregnation does not occur, the uterus sheds its lining. This shedding is what we call a period or menses.

Most women have a period on a monthly cycle (on average the cycle is 28 days). The duration of their period is usually 5–7 days. 

Although every woman’s cycle is different and some women experience irregular periods, it’s not considered normal to experience heavy bleeding or prolonged bleeding outside monthly menstruation.

Unusual vaginal bleeding between periods can be called spotting, breakthrough bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding, and metrorrhagia.

Abnormal Bleeding vs. Spotting

But what do we consider heavy menstrual bleeding? In general, heavier bleeding requires some form of protection, like a tampon or pad. 

A lot of women experience a little spotting and irregular bleeding that is not considered heavy bleeding. They might notice a small amount of blood on toilet paper or on their underwear (or period underwear). Irregular bleeding has many possible causes, which we outline in this article. But, at most, you’ll need to wear a panty liner when you experience spotting.

Depending on your medical history and experience, it may warrant a visit to the doctor. But if you experience heavier bleeding outside of normal periods, you definitely want to seek medical advice.

Keep track of the number of pads or tampons used when bleeding occurs. Abnormal blood loss can be estimated by tracking the number of pads or tampons used and how quickly they become soaked.

If you’re taking pain medications, aspirin should be avoided, as it may prolong bleeding. 

Causes of Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

It’s possible that unusual bleeding is an irregular menstrual period. But if you are bleeding between periods, there may be a number of explanations and causes (e.g., hormonal changes or an underlying health condition).

Birth Control Causes

• Birth control pills: According to Medical News Today, bleeding often occurs in the first 6 months of taking a new birth control pill (or other hormonal contraceptives affecting hormone levels). Doctors sometimes refer to this light bleeding as breakthrough bleeding.
• Morning-after pill: According to the Mayo Clinic, the morning-after pill may cause bleeding between periods or a heavier menstrual period.

• Intrauterine device (IUD): Some women with an IUD for birth control may also experience non-period blood flow.

External Causes

• Medications: Certain medications may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding. Your pharmacist should advise you of any side effects of medication.

Common Infections

The following infections may cause vaginal bleeding between periods. It’s worth noting that most infections are treatable. However, infections may also become more serious if ignored.

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and genital warts can cause abnormal bleeding
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the upper part of the female reproductive system

Pregnancy-Related Causes

• Ectopic pregnancy: Signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding
• Miscarriage: Abnormal uterine bleeding is one of the symptoms of miscarriage

Other Causes of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

• Fibroids or polyps: These benign tumors can cause irregular or heavier periods and vaginal bleeding between periods.
• Endometriosis: According to the Mayo Clinic, women with endometriosis may experience heavier periods or bleeding between periods.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Polycystic ovary syndrome can cause cysts in the ovaries and make it difficult to get pregnant. It may also cause irregular vaginal bleeding or ovarian cyst bleeding between periods
• A blood clotting or bleeding disorder, like von Willebrand disease, may cause abnormal uterine bleeding.
• Other health conditions, like hypothyroidism, liver disease, or chronic kidney disease  can result in abnormal uterine bleeding.
• Cancer or precancer: Cervical cancer, uterine cancer, or (very rarely) fallopian tube cancer may cause abnormal uterine bleeding.

Perimenopause & Menopause

• Perimenopause: The time before menopause is known as perimenopause. During perimenopause, hormone levels fluctuate greatly. These hormonal shifts can have an effect on ovulation and your entire cycle. Some women notice irregular or skipped periods, and abnormal uterine bleeding between periods during perimenopause. 
• Cancer: According to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, spotting and abnormal uterine bleeding in postmenopausal women can, in some cases, be an early sign of cancer and should always be investigated further.

Risks of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Depending on the cause of intermenstrual bleeding, the risks to your health will be different.

However, anemia is one risk that is common to all causes of abnormal bleeding.

What Is Anemia?

Anemia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues. It can have many causes, including heavier menstrual periods (menorrhagia) or by bleeding between periods (metrorrhagia).

Anemia Symptoms

Anemia doesn’t always have symptoms. But, according to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of anemia include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Pale or yellowish skin
• Irregular heartbeats
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Chest pain
• Cold hands and feet
• Headaches

When to Seek Medical Advice

If you experience heavy bleeding outside your period (requiring a tampon or pad), we advise seeking medical advice to have abnormal uterine bleeding diagnosed. 

If abnormal uterine bleeding is is accompanied by any of the following other symptoms, you'll want to see a doctor for a physical exam, pelvic exam, and/or blood tests:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding with a lot of clotting
• Irregular periods
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Pain or a burning sensation when peeing
• Unusual vaginal discharge and/or redness and itchiness

Don't Ignore Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Symptoms in These Situations

Even if you don’t have any of the above symptoms, don’t ever ignore abnormal vaginal bleeding or abnormal uterine bleeding in the following situations:

• If you think you’re pregnant: You should always seek medical advice as soon as you think you may be pregnant to be administered a pregnancy test.
• When it happens inconsistently: If spotting seems to happen frequently and randomly, you should definitely look into it.
• It begins after unprotected sex: Unprotected sex can put you at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other infections. So, if you notice spotting after unprotected sex, it’s wise to visit a doctor.
• You are on medication that may cause spotting: If spotting can be a side effect of any medication you are on, you should seek out professional help.
• Spotting occurs postmenopause: It is never considered normal for anybody postmenopause to experience bleeding.

Diagnosis 

When you see your doctor, they will want to know:

• How long this has been happening: Is it something you’ve always experienced or did it start recently?
• How often it happens: Is it monthly or irregular? Is this the first time it’s happened?
• If there’s a pattern to the bleeding: Have you observed the bleeding happens on certain days in your menstrual cycle or seemingly at random?
• How long did the bleeding last: 1–2 days or more?
• How heavy was the bleeding: Did you use any protection? Was a panty liner insufficient?
• Was there anything unusual about the blood: Color, texture, or odor?
• Did you also experience pain while you were bleeding?
• Did the bleeding coincide with any increased physical exertion (sex, exercise etc.)?
• Was there anything you did that seemed to make the spotting worse or better?

They will also likely examine you to find the underlying cause. The tests they might administer will depend on your age and other factors. If you could be pregnant, they’ll probably administer a pregnancy test.

They’ll also likely order bloodwork to check your blood count and see if you’re anemic.

Other Tests

Other tests may include:

• Endometrial biopsy: An endometrial biopsy is used to screen for abnormal cells in the uterus. Learn more from the Cleveland Clinic.
• Hysteroscopy: A hysteroscopy allows your doctor to look inside your uterus in order to diagnose and treat causes of abnormal bleeding. Learn more from the Cleveland Clinic.
• Pelvic ultrasound: A pelvic ultrasound allows quick visualization of the female pelvic organs and structures including the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Learn more from Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Possible Treatments

Abnormal uterine bleeding treatment will depend on the cause. Your doctor will first want to diagnose the problem. Then, they will help you understand your treatment options and determine the right course of action for any unusual vaginal bleeding or dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

Some treatment options they might explore with you include:

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

It may seem unusual that one possible cause of abnormal uterine bleeding may also be used as a treatment. But hormone-releasing IUDs can help.

According to the Medical Journal of Australia, one in 20 women will experience abnormal uterine bleeding such as heavy or long periods or bleeding in between periods. A 2018 study by Dr. Annabelle Brennan found that “hormone releasing IUDs is the most effective form of non-surgical treatment for abnormal menstrual bleeding.”

Birth Control Pill (Hormonal Contraception)

Different types of birth control pills can reduce the bleeding and related problems. Hormonal contraceptives affect the menstrual cycle and lessen the amount of bleeding.

D&C: Dilation and Curettage

Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a procedure to remove tissue from inside your uterus and can help treat abnormal uterine bleeding. Learn more on the Mayo Clinic’s website.

Myomectomy

According to the Mayo Clinic, in a myomectomy, your surgeon removes fibroids, leaving the uterus in place. If the fibroids are few in number, you and your doctor may opt for a laparoscopic procedure.

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus) is 100% effective in stopping uterine bleeding. A hysterectomy is considered a major surgery that requires a hospital stay. Although it will permanently solve uterine bleeding, including heavy periods or bleeding between periods, it also means you won’t be able to become pregnant.

Endometrial Resection or Ablation

Another option is to remove the lining of the womb (endometrium). Here the tissue is removed using surgical instruments (endometrial resection) or destroyed, for instance using laser beams or microwave energy (endometrial ablation). 

After this procedure, you’ll often stop having periods, or have much lighter periods. This makes pregnancy unlikely.

Outlook

Your outlook will depend on the cause, diagnosis, and treatment.

Bleeding from any part of the body should never be ignored. Perhaps because we’re used to monthly periods, or confused about what is considered “normal” medically, women often ignore bleeding or spotting between periods.

We recommend seeking medical attention whether you’re experiencing heavy periods or bleeding between periods. Keep a journal of any bleeding and note the volume of blood (how quickly you soak sanitary pads or tampons, and how many you use) so you can equip your doctor with as much information as possible.

Written by Jane Flanagan — Updated on April 5, 2022.

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.