Latest news with #bleeding
Health Line
2 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
Can Stress Cause Postmenopausal Bleeding?
Yes, in some cases, stress can cause postmenopausal bleeding. This is because stress can result in hormonal imbalances which can lead to changes to the vaginal lining. If the lining becomes too thick, thin, or inflamed, it can shed and cause bleeding. It's important to note, however, that stress is a rare cause of postmenopausal bleeding. The most common causes include: a thickened vaginal lining, which can be caused by excess estrogen in the body cervical polyps, which are noncancerous growths on the cervix inflammation or thinning of the vaginal lining, caused by low estrogen levels » Learn more about how postmenopausal bleeding is treated. When to speak with a doctor about postmenopausal bleeding You should always speak with a doctor about any vaginal bleeding that occurs after menopause, even if it is just spotting or has only happened once. In some cases, postmenopausal bleeding can be a sign of uterine cancer. While this is rare, a doctor can run some tests to check for any cancerous cells. Remember, an early diagnosis of cancer can increase the chance of successful treatment and improve the overall outcome. How can I manage my stress levels? There are several way you can manage your stress levels, including: Learn your triggers. It can be helpful to identify what may be triggering your stress and work to reduce these stressors where possible. Ensure you're getting enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep can often make daily stressors more difficult to manage. Make time for things you enjoy. Consider scheduling time for activities that bring you joy and allow you to relax. Seeking support from loved ones. Speaking about your worries with loved ones may help you feel more supported. If you are finding it difficult to manage your stress levels, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can work with you to put together a suitable treatment plan.
Health Line
7 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
Can a Hemorrhoid Burst and Is It Dangerous?
Both external and internal hemorrhoids can become thrombosed, meaning a blood clot forms inside the vein. If the clot becomes too full of blood, the hemorrhoid could rupture, which can lead to severe pain, though it does not usually jeopardize your health or life. Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are enlarged veins in your rectum and anus. Some people may not experience symptoms from piles, but others may have itching, burning, bleeding, and discomfort, especially when sitting down. There are two types of hemorrhoids: Internal hemorrhoids develop in your rectum. External hemorrhoids develop around the anal opening, beneath the skin. Read on to learn more about burst hemorrhoids, including what happens and what you should do. What happens when a hemorrhoid bursts? When a thrombosed hemorrhoid becomes too full of blood, it may burst. This can lead to a brief period of bleeding. Ruptured hemorrhoids are not typically dangerous or considered a medical emergency. A thrombosed hemorrhoid will typically become very painful before it actually bursts. Once it bursts, you'll likely feel an instant sense of relief due to the release of extra pressure from built-up blood. How long will the bleeding from a burst hemorrhoid last? Bleeding from a burst hemorrhoid can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. However, it shouldn't last for more than 10 minutes. In some cases, the area around the hemorrhoid may continue to bleed occasionally during or after bowel movements. What should you do if a hemorrhoid bursts? A burst hemorrhoid usually doesn't require any medical treatment. But you may want to take a sitz bath to soothe the area and keep it clean while it heals. A sitz bath can also help to increase blood flow to the area, which aids the healing process. To take a sitz bath, try these steps: Fill a clean bathtub with 3 to 4 inches of warm water — make sure it's not too hot. Sit in the water and soak the area for 15 to 20 minutes. Try bending your knees or putting your legs over the edge of the tub to ensure the area is submerged. Gently pat dry the area with a clean towel, making sure you don't rub or scrub. Over the next week, try to keep the area clean and dry. While a shower or bath should be enough, you can also take a daily sitz bath. »MORE ON THIS: All about sitz baths When to see a doctor It's always a good idea to have a medical evaluation when you have anal bleeding. If bleeding lasts for more than 10 minutes, or is recurrent or severe, it's best to seek immediate care to rule out other causes. Not all bleeding is due to hemorrhoids, so it's important not to self-diagnose. Sometimes, bleeding can caused by a minor injury or tear, or it could be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as colorectal or anal cancer. In addition to anal bleeding, these accompanying symptoms also warrant care: sudden and persistent changes in stool consistency or color changes in bowel movement habits anal pain or cramping unexplained weight loss nausea or vomiting fever dizziness lightheadedness abdominal pain An irritated hemorrhoid can also cause intermittent bleeding over a longer period of time, but it would not be accompanied by any of these other symptoms. What's the outlook for a burst hemorrhoid? The blood from a burst hemorrhoid can look alarming, but it's usually not serious. However, a hemorrhoid that is filled with blood will be extremely painful, leading up to when it bursts. This pain is severe enough that most people seek treatment before the hemorrhoid has a chance to burst. Burst hemorrhoids usually resolve quickly and may or may not return. If you didn't have any unusual pain leading up to the bleeding, you may have just irritated an inflamed hemorrhoid. Takeaway
Health Line
03-06-2025
- General
- Health Line
What Causes Two Periods in One Month?
If you have a shorter menstrual cycle, you may get your period twice in the same month. But bleeding between periods can also occur with certain medical conditions. A typical adult menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days, and the typical menstrual cycle for preteens and teens can last 38 days or longer. However, every woman is different, and each person's cycle can vary from month to month. During some months, your cycle may last for more or fewer days than the previous month, or it may start earlier or later than it has before. If your cycles are on the shorter end of the spectrum, you could have your period at the beginning and end of the same month with no reason for concern. But if you experience bleeding outside of your usual menstrual cycle and suspect you're having a second period, the first thing you should do is figure out if it's spotting or menstrual bleeding: If you're having menstrual bleeding, also known as your period, you should expect to soak through a pad or tampon every few hours. The blood may be dark red, red, brown, or pink. If you're having spotting, you won't bleed enough to fill a pad or tampon. Blood from spotting is usually dark red or brown. After you've determined if you're having spotting or menstrual bleeding, you can start to explore what may be causing your increased bleeding. This article reviews potential causes and treatment options. What causes two periods in one month? Increased bleeding may be caused by a shorter menstrual cycle, or by a health condition that causes vaginal bleeding. Causes of a shorter cycle If your cycle suddenly becomes shorter, it could be due to any of the following: anovulation (lack of ovulation) hyperthyroidism hypothyroidism onset of menopause (also known as perimenopause) uterine fibroids or cysts uterine polyps cervical polyps stress extreme weight loss or gain birth control illness Conditions that cause extra bleeding If you usually have a regular cycle, a change in your cycle, such as suddenly having two periods in a month, could indicate a medical condition. Some health conditions cause bleeding that can be mistaken for a period, including: Pregnancy can cause spotting. Spotting during pregnancy can occur, but you should tell your doctor about any bleeding during pregnancy. Sexually transmitted infections can cause discharge and bleeding. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that can cause irregular periods. Perimenopause can cause heavier and more frequent bleeding, it can also cause lighter or less frequent bleeding. While our hormones may become more unbalanced during this time, they should regulate once you've reached menopause. Miscarriage can cause heavy bleeding. If you suspect you're pregnant and begin to have bleeding similar to a period, call your doctor. Cervicitis. Cervical infections that are not sexually transmitted can also cause bleeding. What are the risk factors for unusual menstrual bleeding? If you have just started getting your period due to puberty, it's possible that you will be irregular for a year or two, which means you may possibly experience two periods in one month. If you are an adult and have a family history of fibroids, cysts, or early-onset menopause, you're at an increased risk of having two periods in a month. However, an increased risk does not mean you will definitely experience it. When should you see a doctor about irregular menstrual cycles? While two periods in one month is not always a cause for concern, it's a good idea to consult a doctor anytime your body's rhythms seem out of whack. For example, you should see a doctor if you: experience pain in your lower abdomen that doesn't go away after a couple of days have very heavy periods spot or bleed in between periods (which is often mistaken for two periods in one month) experience pain during sexual intercourse have more menstrual cramping than usual notice dark clots during your period What are the complications of more frequent menstrual cycles? There are a few complications that may arise from irregular periods. Anemia One health issue of more frequent bleeding is anemia, which occurs due to a lack of iron in your blood. Your doctor can check your iron levels to determine the cause of your abnormal bleeding. The symptoms of anemia can include: fatigue headache weakness dizziness shortness of breath rapid or irregular heartbeat A singular experience of two periods in one month will not necessarily cause anemia. The condition is usually triggered by prolonged heavy bleeding, such as several months of heavy periods. Difficulty tracking ovulation Having two periods in one month may make it difficult to track your ovulation, especially if this experience is unusual for you. If you are not planning on becoming pregnant, practicing safe sex is essential. Difficulty becoming pregnant If you are trying to become pregnant, abnormal bleeding can add complexity to the process. Consult with a doctor if you are actively trying to become pregnant and are experiencing heavy or irregular periods. How are frequent menstrual cycles treated? Your treatment will depend on the underlying cause of your frequent bleeding. If you naturally have shorter cycles or if you've recently started menstruating, you won't need treatment. If anemia is a concern, your doctor may recommend iron supplements. One possible treatment for periods that occur too frequently is hormonal birth control. This type of birth control can help regulate your periods and help resolve anemia issues caused by heavy bleeding. Here are treatments for other possible causes of frequent bleeding. Hypothyroidism If you have hypothyroidism, it means you have an underactive thyroid gland. Your body can't make enough of the thyroid hormone. Your doctor will prescribe a thyroid hormone replacement therapy that you can take by mouth. Hyperthyroidism If you have hyperthyroidism, it means you have an overactive thyroid gland. Your body makes too much thyroid hormone. Several treatments are available for this condition. Your doctor will suggest what they think is best for you. Menopause During perimenopause or the menopausal transition, your doctor may prescribe hormone therapy and estrogen replacement therapy. These treatments can help regulate your periods until they slowly disappear as menopause progresses. Fibroids and cysts Your doctor may recommend a few different treatment options if you have uterine fibroids or cysts. These can include: Intrauterine device (IUD). An IUD is a form of birth control that can help relieve heavy periods. However, it won't shrink fibroids. MRI-guided ultrasound surgery. This procedure is performed while you're inside an MRI scanner. It's considered noninvasive, and doctors can use it to remove the fibroid or cyst. This procedure is only done in specialized clinics. Uterine artery embolization. This is a minimally invasive procedure that blocks the blood supply to the uterus, which causes the fibroids to decay and shrink. Myomectomy. There are different types of myomectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove fibroids. In a hysteroscopic myomectomy, the fibroid is removed through the cervix. No incisions are needed. In a laparoscopic myomectomy, small incisions are made in your abdomen to remove fibroids. An abdominal myomectomy is an open abdominal surgical procedure. Hysteroscopy. During this procedure, a thin tube with a light on the end is inserted through the vagina. This allows a doctor to look inside the uterus and diagnose the cause of abnormal bleeding. A doctor may also be able to treat some causes of bleeding during a hysteroscopy. Dilation and curettage (D and C). This procedure involves the dilation of the cervix, which allows a doctor to scrape the uterine lining to remove any abnormal tissue. Endometrial ablation. This surgery involves the removal of the endometrial lining of the uterus. It is not usually recommended if you wish to have children later in life, as it can cause complications. Hysterectomy. A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists. These are medications that can help treat fibroids. They block estrogen and progesterone and put you into a temporary postmenopausal state. This stops the fibroids from growing and can make them shrink. Your doctor may use this treatment to help prepare you for surgery. Stress Lifestyle changes can greatly affect stress levels, which in turn can affect menstrual cycles. To help relieve stress, try exercising frequently, practicing meditation, or engaging in talk therapy. If you're feeling stressed because you're overcommitted, ask for help. Finding the time to relax is important to your health, so don't feel bad about saying no to additional projects or responsibilities. Extreme weight loss or gain Talk with your doctor about possible reasons for a dramatic change in weight. They'll work with you to help you manage your weight. Reaction to birth control Hormonal birth control introduces hormones into your body. This can affect your menstrual cycle and cause spotting in between periods. You may need to try a few different types of birth control to find one that works for you. It also takes a few months for your body to adjust to a new method of birth control. Have a discussion with your doctor about what you should expect when starting a new birth control method. Preparing for your doctor's appointment Changes to your menstrual cycle can indicate a health problem, so it's important to discuss abnormal bleeding with your doctor. They will likely ask a lot of questions about your symptoms. By being prepared for your appointment, you can help your doctor find the correct treatment as quickly as possible. Here are some questions your doctor may ask: How long are your cycles? Is this typical for you? If your shorter cycle isn't normal for you, when did the changes to your bleeding start? How long does the bleeding last? What color is the blood? How heavy is the bleeding? How quickly does it fill a pad? Are there clots? If so, how big are they? Do you have any other symptoms? To calculate the length of your cycle, start counting on the first day you bleed. This will be day one. Your cycle will end on the first day that you start bleeding again. Many smartphone apps are available to help you track your cycle. If you have a history of irregular bleeding, tracking your cycles on an app can help you identify a problem more quickly. It can also make it easier to share your cycle information with your doctor. The takeaway In certain situations, such as puberty and perimenopause, having two periods in one month may not be cause for alarm. However, if you're familiar with your cycle and have noted recent changes, or if you just feel like you're bleeding more than you should be, talk with a doctor. They can help get to the bottom of your issue, and if warranted, can help you balance your hormone levels and regulate your bleeding.
