Breakthrough bleeding Health Dictionary

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Breakthrough Bleeding: From 1 Different Sources

Bleeding or staining (“spotting”) from the vagina between periods in women taking an oral contraceptive. The bleeding is most common during the first few months of taking the pill and is caused by incomplete suppression of the endometrium.

(See also vaginal bleeding.)

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association

Bleeding

See HAEMORRHAGE; VENESECTION.... bleeding

Withdrawal Bleeding

Loss of blood from the UTERUS via the VAGINA occurring when the women’s level of oestrogen hormones (OESTROGENS), PROGESTERONE hormone or PROGESTOGEN drugs falls quickly. The withdrawal bleeding that happens at the end of each month’s cycle of combined oral contraceptive pills (see CONTRACEPTION) imitates the woman’s menstrual period (see MENSTRUATION) but is normally briefer and less in amount.... withdrawal bleeding

Rectal Bleeding

The passage of blood from the rectum or anus. The blood may be red, dark brown, or black. It may be mixed with, or on the surface of, faeces or passed separately, and there may be pain. Haemorrhoids are the most common cause of rectal bleeding. Small amounts of bright red blood appear on the surface of faeces or on toilet paper. Anal fissure, anal fistula, proctitis, or rectal prolapse may also cause rectal bleeding.Cancer of the colon (see colon, cancer of) or the rectum (see rectum, cancer of), or polyps can also cause bleeding. Disorders of the colon such as diverticular disease may cause dark red faeces. Black faeces (melaena) may be due to bleeding high in the digestive tract. Bloody diarrhoea may be due to ulcerative colitis, amoebiasis, or shigellosis. Diagnosis may be made from a rectal examination, from proctoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or a double-contrast barium X-ray examination.

rectal examination Examination of the anus and rectum, performed as part of a general physical examination, to assess symptoms of pain or changes in bowel habits, and to check for the presence of tumours of the rectum or prostate gland. rectal prolapse Protrusion outsid.

nent in elderly people. If the prolapse is large, leakage of faeces may occur.

Treatment is with a fibre-rich diet.

Surgery may also be performed.... rectal bleeding

Bleeding Heart

Love... bleeding heart

Hymenal Bleeding

The maidenhead, thin band of membrane at the entrance of the vagina (the hymen) may be ruptured at first intercourse followed by bleeding. Bleeding may occur from time to time thereafter.

Alternatives. Seldom necessary. Prolonged pressure with the finger against the source of the bleeding usually suffices. Insert tampon saturated with Witch Hazel water. Marigold or Yarrow tea.

Internal. Two Cranesbill tablets every 15 minutes. Raspberry leaf or Ladies Mantle tea. Topical. Douche – Raspberry leaf infusion. ... hymenal bleeding

Bleeding Disorders

A group of conditions characterized by bleeding in the absence of injury or by abnormally prolonged and excessive bleeding after injury. The disorders result from defects in mechanisms by which bleeding is normally stopped: blood coagulation, plugging of damaged blood vessels by platelets, and constriction of blood vessels (see blood clotting).

Coagulation disorders are usually due a deficiency of or abnormality in the enzymes (coagulation factors) involved in blood clotting. Defects may be congenital or acquired later in life. The

main congenital coagulation defects are von Willebrand’s disease, haemophilia, and Christmas disease.

Acquired defects of coagulation factors may develop at any age due to severe liver disease, digestive system disorders that prevent the absorption of vitamin K (needed to make certain coagulation factors), or the use of anticoagulant drugs. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is an acquired disorder that is both complex and serious. It may be the result of underlying infection or cancer. In this condition, platelets accumulate and clots form within small blood vessels; coagulation factors are used up faster than they can be replaced, and severe bleeding may result.

Coagulation disorders are treated by replacement of the missing factor, factors extracted from fresh blood, or fresh frozen plasma. Genetically engineered factors may be used. Anticoagulants are sometimes used to suppress excess clotting activity in.

Thrombocytopenia, which results from insufficient platelets in the blood, produces surface bleeding into the skin and gums and multiple small bruises. Platelet defects may be inherited, associated with the use of certain drugs (including aspirin), or a complication of certain bone marrow disorders such as myeloid leukaemia. Treatment consists of platelet transfusions. Rarely, abnormal bleeding is caused by a bloodvessel defect or scurvy. Elderly people and patients on long-term courses of corticosteroid drugs may suffer mild abnormal bruising due to loss of skin support to the smallest blood vessels.

Treatment is rarely required.... bleeding disorders

Bleeding Gums

See gingivitis.... bleeding gums

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

see menorrhagia.... dysfunctional uterine bleeding

Intermenstrual Bleeding

bleeding arising from the genital tract in a woman with a regular menstrual cycle, not occurring at menstruation or following sexual intercourse.... intermenstrual bleeding

Postcoital Bleeding

genital-tract bleeding occurring after sexual intercourse. This is an important symptom and may be caused by sexually transmitted infections, vaginal candidiasis, atrophic *vaginitis, cervical *ectropion, cervical polyp, or cervical cancer.... postcoital bleeding

Postmenopausal Bleeding

(PMB) bleeding from the female genital tract occurring more than 12 months after the last menstrual period. Atrophic *vaginitis is a common cause. Endometrial cancer occurs in up to 10% of cases, and PMB may also be a marker of ovarian, cervical, or more rarely vaginal or vulval cancer.... postmenopausal bleeding

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