Non-Menstrual Bleeding

What Causes Unusual Vaginal Bleeding?

Unusual vaginal bleeding can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'needs attention' to 'generally fatal'.  Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms.  In order to diagnose unusual vaginal bleeding, we could:

  • Research the topic
  • Find a doctor with the time
  • Use a diagnostic computer system.
The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "unusual vaginal bleeding" as a symptom.  Here are seven possibilities:
  • Adrenal Fatigue
  • Ovarian Cysts
  • Endometrial Cancer
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Fibroids
  • Endometriosis
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:
darker/redder skin color
moderate unexplained weight loss
dizziness when standing up
occasional unexplained fevers
shingles
unexplained missed periods
frequent meal-related bloating
intermittent abdominal fullness
red palms/fingertips
hot flashes during period
loss of appetite
endometrial cancer
... and more than 90 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of unusual vaginal bleeding:
Cause Probability Status
Endometriosis 97% Confirm
Ovarian Cysts 26% Unlikely
Endometrial Hyperplasia 26% Unlikely
Fibroids 0% Ruled out
Ovarian Cancer 0% Ruled out
Endometrial Cancer 0% Ruled out
Adrenal Fatigue 0% Ruled out
* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate being menopausal or being postmenopausal, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:
Abnormal bleeding. Do you have any vaginal bleeding that is not due to a menstrual period?$$$NOT linked to Metrorrhagia because abnormal bleeding is much more serious after menopause... conditions are linked individually instead
Possible responses:
→ Don't know
→ No
→ Occasionally, a few times per year
→ Frequently
→ Yes, it is constant or nearly constant
Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either no unusual vaginal bleeding or unusual vaginal bleeding, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:
Endometrial Cancer

The most common sign of endometrial cancer is unusual bleeding from the vagina, especially bleeding that occurs after passing through menopause.

Endometrial Hyperplasia

Endometrial hyperplasia usually occurs after menopause, when ovulation stops and progesterone is no longer made.

Endometriosis

Although endometriosis is more common in women who are still having periods, it does affect between 2% to 5% of postmenopausal women.

Fibroids

The growth of uterine fibroids is estrogen dependent, which means that fibroids tend to stop growing – and often shrink – after menopause.

Ovarian Cysts

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is commonly associated with an 'anovulatory cycle' – a menstrual cycle that does not result in the release of an egg from one of the ovaries.  If a follicle does not release an egg, it can swell and become a cyst.

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