Observing blood stains after your period is over is common. This HerHaleness article presents the most probable reasons behind such bleeding. Read on…
Normally, a woman undergoes periods for 3 to 5 days. The time span between onset of the next period ranges between 28 to 30 days, and this phase is known as a menstrual cycle. In most cases, discharge of blood or spotting doesn’t take place during the break period. However, a woman might observe bleeding after a period has ended. But why does this happen? Is it normal to undergo spotting during mid-menstrual cycles? Or do you need an immediate medical check up? Well, it’s natural for a woman to ponder on these health questions, because menstruation holds considerable significance in a woman’s life. Here, in this article, we shall let you know why menstruation takes place, and the reasons behind blood after period is over.
Causes of Bleeding after Period has Ended
Every month a woman prepares herself for potential pregnancy. The uterus undergoes changes for accommodating the baby. If a woman doesn’t conceive, the uterine lining, or endometrium, that discharges from the vagina in the form of blood and tissues. This continues for 3 to 5 days, during which a woman undergoes emotional as well as physical changes. When the periods end, she is again capable of conceiving. Bleeding after end of periods could possibly occur due to the following reasons:
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- Implantation bleeding. You will observe dark reddish brown fluid in a discharge from your vagina. This usually occurs 8-10 days after fertilization. You might think that this spotting will lead to your period because such spotting occurs often before you test positive on a pregnancy test.
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- Woman who have irregular periods, often get spotting in between menstrual cycles. This happens because the uterine lining doesn’t completely shed during that specific span. The remaining gets discharged intermittently after periods, mostly in the form of blood clots or drops of blood.
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- The cause of abnormal bleeding after periods have ended might be something serious. This mostly happens during an early miscarriage. Improper implantation and strenuous physical activities can result in an early miscarriage. The ovum slips from the vagina of the woman, along with large amounts of blood. An early miscarriage can be experienced within two weeks of conceiving. The woman may think that she is having her next period. She may not even be aware of the pregnancy.
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- Hormonal disorders can also cause bleeding in between menstrual cycles. Fluctuations in levels of sex hormones, viz, estrogen and progesterone, might cause brown discharge after periods. Women suffering from thyroid gland disorders are more likely to observe bleeding after the periods are over. Stress and depression also have direct effect on hormonal levels, which could further lead to uncertain bleeding. A highly stressed woman may experience bleeding 4-5 days after period.
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- Gynecological procedure like colposcopy, hysteroscopy, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), laparoscopy, etc., can cause irregular bleeding in woman. Since a lot of clinical techniques (like laser, heat, cold, pressure, etc.) are applied on the body, they might cause vaginal bleeding to some extent.
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- Malignant tumors could also be the cause of bleeding after the end of a period. Initially, the bleeding may not be heavy. The severity of the symptoms may increase gradually. Ovarian cysts, uterine cancer, tumors in the fallopian tube, and other types of cancers in the reproductive system may cause vaginal bleeding even if you are not menstruating.
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- One of the most common reasons behind spotting after periods is irregularities in taking contraceptive pills. Women often skip and resume dosage of birth control pills, something which causes mild spotting after periods. You can observe blots of blood on your undergarments even if you are not undergoing menstruation. Some contraceptive pills cause bleeding. Women who have IUDs might also undergo bleeding after periods. You can feel the discomfort around the region where the IUD is in place, and it can be a reason of painful intercourse. Please note that removing the IUD removal can cause bleeding.
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Under any circumstances, you should not neglect heavy or frequent bleeding after period has ended. In many cases vaginal infection is a cause of bleeding, and can be easily cured by medication and/or topical application of a cream. Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the condition. Ultrasound and other types of clinical tests will help find out the cause.
Disclaimer: The information we are providing in this article is solely for educating the reader. This article does not substitute for the advice of a medical expert.