Excessive or abnormal vaginal bleeding Many women experience this problem at some point in their lives. It is defined as bleeding from the vagina that is not part of their menstrual periods or bleeding that occurs during monthly periods but is heavier than usual. Some common causes in women of reproductive age are the pill, which can cause bleeding between periods, problems with the hormones produced by the thyroid, ovaries, pituitary, adrenal glands, or infections such as sexually transmitted diseases, vaginal , cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and miscarriage or problems with pregnancy. A miscarriage in early pregnancy can resemble a heavy period that occurs after the woman has lost at least one period. Bleeding between cycles that does not last long is often due to scars, tumors, fibroids, or other abnormal tissue in the cervix or uterus. Ovarian cysts are another possibility. Regular, prolonged, heavy bleeding usually caused by tumors in the lining of the uterus or endometrium. These growths may or may not be cancerous. Perimenopausal women may bleed offcycle as part of the gradual onset of menopause. Postmenopausal women should see a doctor immediately if you experience vaginal bleeding since benign or cancerous tumors of the ovaries or the uterus are the most likely causes. Other potential culprits are injury to the vagina or reproductive tract during rape or surgery, and the presence of objects like a cork stuck in the vagina. Blood disorders that affect the whole body, such as leukemia and clotting problems can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, like bleeding occur elsewhere. Vaginal bleeding with fever, abdominal pain, or unusual mucus or other substances from the vagina (called vaginal discharge) may indicate an infection. UNWANTED organsare passages between Fistulasabnormal passages usually the result of injuries sustained in accidents, childbirth or surgery. These unwanted openings may divert the urine into the vagina from the bladder or urethra (the tube that normally empties the bladder), causing vaginal discharge. Also can develop between the rectum and vagina. The only remedy is surgery to close the door. Your doctor may ask about their last menstrual periods and if you notice anything odd about them. You will probably have abdominal and pelvic examination and, if of childbearing age, your doctor will also do a pregnancy test. Discharge of unusual mucus or other substances from the vagina is a common problem. The discharge is often due to infection, often associated with pain, burning, itching and painful urination. Not all infections are sexually transmitted, so do not assume that vaginal discharge mean that you have an STD. There are several possible causes: Inflammation of the vagina. Vaginitis called, this is the most common reason for the discharge and is usually caused by infection. There are three main types of vaginal infections, which can be treated with medication by mouth or vaginally. Each infection tends to produce a distinct discharge: Thick, white cheese like discharge, itching, irritated skinyeast infections, or candidiasis. Women with diabetes and those who take antibiotics are more likely to develop this type of infection. Most women will have at least one yeast infection at some point in their lives. DischargeTrichomonas smell fine, yellow, foul, usually transmitted sexually. Thin, gray or white, foul smelling dischargebacterial vaginosis. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Caused by sexually transmitted diseases that infect more frequent cervix, uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes, this is the most frequent and serious complication of an STD and occurs in 1 million women each year. Symptoms include vaginal discharge or bleeding, lower abdominal pain and fever. Chronic PID can result from one or more infections. The most common causes of ID are gonorrhea or chlamydia, which are sexually transmitted. About 20 percent of women with PID become infertile. Genital herpes. This infection can produce vaginal discharge if it affects the cervix. The first episode of genital herpes also includes fever, pruritus, headache and muscle aches in general. Infection inside the uterus. This condition, known as endometritis is usually caused by sexually transmitted diseases, fibroids, cancer, childbirth, or intrauterine devices (IUDs). A hole in the vagina (which connects the vagina, rectum or bladder). Because of this passage, called a fistula, stool or urine can pass through the vagina. The problem can develop after surgery or injury to the area, infection, inflammation, or radiation. Inflammation of the vagina due to lack of estrogen. As a woman enters menopause, her body produces increasingly erratic amounts of estrogen. This often causes the vagina to dry and irritated. The condition is known as atrophic vaginitis and is treatable with estrogen replacement therapy, vaginal creams and vaginal suppositories. Other less common causes of vaginal discharge include pregnancy, genital warts, cancer and foreign objects into the vagina like a tampon that could not be eliminated. Your doctor will ask about the type of discharge and whether it occurs immediately before, after or during menstruation or sexual activity. You should also expect to undergo a pelvic exam. A dangerous and growing problem cases of genital warts caused by human papilloma virus sexually transmitted infections (HPV), have increased at twice the rate of genital herpes more widely publicized. And these warts can be much more than a minor nuisance: They have been involved in various types of genital cancer. After infection, warts may take up to 6 months to make its appearance. First seen as small bumps soft, moist, pink or red, warts then grow rapidly, often developing stems and clustering to form a cauliflower growth. Standard drugs warts sometimes eliminate the infection. Often, however, the growth must be burned or surgery. For more information on this increasingly common problem, in turn, chapter 11, make peace with sexually transmitted diseases. Genital Warts Human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease, is a frequent cause of genital warts. It can also cause outbreaks in the vulva, vagina, cervix, or anal area and is sometimes accompanied by other infections and sexually transmitted diseases. HPV is also believed to be a causal factor in cancer of the cervix, vagina and vulva. About 50 percent to 70 percent of the sexual partners of women with HPV have, or will develop genital warts. If you have had several episodes of yeast infection, you should consider getting tested for HPV, as HPV can make women more vulnerable to this issue. Gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis may accompany genital warts. br br
