Contents:
- Medical Video: Is Vaginal Discharge Normal After a Hysterectomy?
- What is vaginal discharge?
- What causes bloody vaginal discharge?
- 1. Hormones and menstrual cycles
- 2. Infection of the reproductive system
- 3. Other medical conditions
- So, is bloody vaginal discharge something dangerous?
Medical Video: Is Vaginal Discharge Normal After a Hysterectomy?
Basically, vaginal discharge is a natural process that functions to cleanse and protect the vagina from irritation and infection. Normal vaginal discharge is generally odorless, colorless, and does not cause itching in the female area. Well, if you experience vaginal discharge that is brown or even red, it usually indicates the presence of blood in the liquid. There are various factors that can cause bloody vaginal discharge. Anything? Read on to find out.
What is vaginal discharge?
Leucorrhoea is the discharge of fluid or mucus from the vagina. This mucus is produced by the vaginal glands as a natural way of the reproductive system to clean the female area. Leucorrhoea generally occurs due to hormonal changes, such as when stressed, menstruation, or because of sexual activity. Leucorrhoea that results from general hormonal changes is normal vaginal discharge. While abnormal vaginal discharge usually results from certain medical conditions. However, the frequency of abnormal vaginal discharge is caused by the presence of bacteria, fungi, parasites or infections in the vagina.
Abnormal vaginal discharge can be seen from the color, consistency (thinness or thickness), volume, and odor caused. Well, when the vaginal discharge from your vagina experiences discoloration into milky white, grayish, greenish, then smelling, and accompanied by a sense of discomfort and itching and heat, this can be a sign of an infection in your reproductive tract.
What causes bloody vaginal discharge?
There are several factors that can cause brown or reddish spots in your vaginal discharge. These factors include:
1. Hormones and menstrual cycles
There are several factors that cause a person to experience bloody vaginal discharge associated with hormones and menstrual cycles, namely:
- As a result of the cycle of anovulation, which is a condition in which the ovary fails to release the egg. Anovulatory cycle occurs in women who are first time menstruation and in women who approach menopause.
- Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also often experience bloody vaginal spots due to the cycle of anovulation.
- Women who use hormonal contraception can also experience uterine bleeding, which is called a red or brownish vaginal discharge. Generally this condition is more common in those who use injection contraception and birth control pills.
- Hormonal IUD in fact it can also cause vaginal discharge, especially during the first few months of use.
- Leucorrhoea accompanied by blood can also occur due to influence overactive thyroid gland or even less active which causes an imbalance in female hormone levels.
2. Infection of the reproductive system
Some reproductive tract infections such as genital warts, gonorrhea, and chlamydia can sometimes cause mild bleeding that causes bloody vaginal discharge. Bacterial vaginosis infections, yeast fungal infections, and trichomoniasis infections caused by protozoa cause vaginal discharge to be thick, pungent and fishy, although sometimes this infection does not show some symptoms.
In addition, vaginal blisters due to sexual activity can also cause vaginal discharge mixed with blood, especially for women who have vaginal dryness.
3. Other medical conditions
If vaginal discharge with brownish or reddish spots accompanied by bleeding appears during pregnancy, this may indicate a problem in the uterine area, such as miscarriage, premature labor or placental abnormalities. In addition, spotting or bleeding can also be an indication of a woman's reproductive problems such as uterine fibroids, tumors, or cancer.
So, is bloody vaginal discharge something dangerous?
Actually, according to what has been described above there are many causes that can cause vaginal discharge with blood spots. In some cases, vaginal discharge is part of the menstrual cycle. However, it is undeniable that vaginal discharge can be an indication of a more serious medical condition.
Well, that's why the best way to make sure if you experience vaginal discharge is normal vaginal discharge, then you should consult a doctor. Especially if you complain of undue vaginal discharge with a feeling of discomfort in the vaginal area. Your doctor will probably do a variety of laboratory tests to get the right diagnosis.
If necessary, use feminine cleaning fluid containing povidone iodine during menstruation to prevent abnormal vaginal discharge afterwards.
