Spotting or discharge of blood before or after the monthly menstrual cycle has ended can be a cause for concern. Most women are unable to determine the root cause or causes behind the problem of spotting after their menstrual cycle ends. Worse still, many women choose to ignore this problem until it reaches a point where their health is completely compromised.
Normal menstrual bleeding starts after a duration of twenty three to twenty four days. Once menstrual bleeding commences, it can last anywhere between three and five days. However, in some rare circumstances a woman may notice spotting or light bleeding a couple of days after her normal menstrual cycle has ended. The mild spotting in shades of light red to dark brownish red or pink can be caused by numerous factors. Through this article we will explore some of the causes and symptoms of spotting after periods as also the treatment measures that can be adopted to rectify this problem.
Reasons For Abnormal Spotting After Periods
There are numerous factors which can cause abnormal spotting after periods. Sometimes post menstrual spotting can be caused by the uterine incapacity to expel the complete quantity of blood during the normal menstrual cycle. Hormonal imbalance is another culprit responsible for abnormal spotting after periods.
Women who have been taking birth control pills for a long duration of time are likely to notice light bleeding after their monthly menstrual cycle has ended. Women who suffer from major health complications like cancer, diabetes or thyroid disease will also experience spotting after periods. Sometimes the presence of uterine cysts has been determined as the causative factor responsible for post menstrual bleeding. The presence of uterine fibroids or polyps, are the other possible factors which can bring about bleeding after menstrual cycle has ended.
Additional Symptoms Of Spotting After Periods
While the primary symptom of spotting after periods is the discharge of dark brown or red colored blood from the vagina, there are numerous secondary symptoms which accompany the mild bleeding. Women who experience mild bleeding after their menstrual cycle has ended may also complain of nausea, stomach cramps, back pain and the urge to empty their bladder frequently.
Also Read
Reasons For Spotting Before Period
Natural Cures For Abnormal Bleeding
Diagnostic Tests To Determine Abnormal Vaginal Spotting
Doctors may recommend a number of diagnostic tests to determine the causative factor or factors responsible for abnormal vaginal spotting. Some of the more popular tests recommended by doctors to determine the reasons behind post menstrual bleeding include pregnancy test, blood count test, thyroid test, liver test, pap smear test – if the doctor suspects that the woman may be suffering from cervical cancer – or a blood test to detect the levels of the sex female hormone progesterone.
Treatment Measures
Doctors will embark on a treatment measure only after determining the exact causative factor or factors responsible for post menstrual vaginal spotting. For example , a doctor may recommend surgical intervention if he or she suspects that your post menstrual vaginal bleeding is caused by the presence of vaginal polyps or cysts. If the doctor suspects that vaginal spotting is due to an infection he or she may prescribe a course of antibiotic medication.