What Is Light Bleeding For A Month?
Light bleeding for a month is usually due to hormonal changes. The hormone progesterone causes blood loss from the skin during menstruation. During your menstrual cycle, the lining of your uterus releases hormones into your bloodstream. These hormones cause blood vessels to dilate and widen. When these blood vessels are wide enough, they allow some of the blood to leak out through the skin.
The amount of blood leaking out depends on several factors such as:
Your age. Women generally lose less blood than men do during their monthly cycles. Your body mass index (BMI). The higher your BMI, the greater the amount of blood that will leak out during your menstrual cycle.
Whether or not you have had children. If you have given birth, it’s possible that your body may release extra amounts of milk into your system which will result in additional bleeding.
If you are experiencing bleeding from your skin, you should be aware that the blood may come in the form of a spot or a streak. It can come out as a single dot or it can come out as a straight line, much like the pattern of an ink pen. Usually, when you bleed from your skin, the blood will appear on your underwear. However, if the skin around your blood vessels is particularly stretched out or inflamed, then the blood may come out onto your clothes.
What Is The Average Duration Of Light Bleeding For A Month?
Light bleeding for a month is usually considered to be anything less than a normal period. Some women will experience very light periods while on their monthly cycles. This is especially true for teenagers and young girls who are entering into menarche. Some women will experience heavy bleeding during the first few months of their periods but this bleeding will eventually taper off until it is very light. If you find that your period has completely stopped for more than three months in a row, you should seek medical attention.
What could cause light bleeding?
Light bleeding can be a sign that something is wrong with your body. Some causes of irregular bleeding include:
Pregnancy: If you experience bleeding in the first eight weeks after having unprotected sexual intercouse or if you miss a period, you may be pregnant. This is especially likely if you have recently had sexual contact with a male and have not undergone any hormonal birth control.
Fibroids: Your uterus may develop benign tumors called fibroids. These can cause light bleeding without a loss of blood.
Ectopic pregnancy: If you are pregnant and the fetus implanted itself outside of your uterus, an ectopic pregnancy may have occurred. The placenta will not be able to receive adequate nutrition from your body and will eventually perish, leading to internal bleeding.
Cancerous tumors: A range of tumors can grow in the female genital tract. These can lead to bleeding that may or may not be associated with your period. The most common tumor is called cervical cancer and it can develop in the cells of your cervix. Other types of cancers may also develop such as vaginal cancer or cancers that form around the lining of your uterus.
Vaginal dryness: Menopause may lead to a loss of hormones such as estrogen which keep your inner reproductive organs healthy. The lack of these hormones can result in a lack of vaginal moisture leading to bleeding during sexual activity.
Polyps and cysts: Some women may develop benign tumors in their reproductive organs which can lead to bleeding. These are most common in the cervix, but can also form elsewhere in the body. Polyps will be painless and noncancerous growths while cysts are sacs that contain liquid.
Douching: This is the act of washing or cleaning the inside of your vaginal canal with water or some other fluid. This is commonly done by women to keep themselves clean. However, some women may develop irritations or inflammations as a result of douching. These can lead to bleeding during the early stages.
What Can I Do If I Experience Light Bleeding?
If you experience light bleeding, you should try to determine what is causing it. If you are pregnant, seek emergency care immediately. Other causes such as fibroids and tumors will need to be treated with medication or surgery. You may also need to seek emergency medical attention if your bleeding is excessive.
How Do I Know If I Have a Serious Problem?
You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
Dangerously heavy bleeding that soaks more than one maxi pad every hour or so.
Bleeding in between periods or after sexual activity. This can be a sign of cervical cancer.
Vaginal bleeding in the first three months of pregnancy.
Vaginal discharge that is blood tinged or has a pink hue.
Vaginal bleeding after menopause.
Pelvic pain or pain during sexual contact.
Unexplained fatigue.
How Can I Avoid Light Bleeding?
You should maintain healthy lifestyle habits such as limiting your alcohol intake to avoid the risk of fibroids and controlling your weight to avoid conditions such as endometriosis. You should also avoid using vaginal sprays, deodorants and other scented products as these may irritate the lining of your genital tract. If you have a family history of conditions such as fibroids or endometriosis, you may wish to consult your doctor about taking birth control pills which can reduce your risk.
When Should I See a Doctor About Light Bleeding?
If you have any other symptoms such as pain, fever or chills, vaginal discharge or any changes in your bowel habits you should seek immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the conditions mentioned under the “serious” heading, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Where Can I Get Help?
If you experience any of the conditions or symptoms mentioned in this article, we urge you to seek immediate medical attention. If you are experiencing ongoing bleeding between periods or excessive bleeding during your period, contact your doctor immediately.
Remember, all health concerns should be taken seriously.
Sources & references used in this article:
Activating mutation of Gsα in McCune-Albright syndrome causes skin pigmentation by tyrosinase gene activation on affected melanocytes by IS Kim, ER Kim, HJ Nam, MO Chin, YH Moon… – Hormone Research in …, 1999 – karger.com
Cervical endometriosis, a case presenting with intractable spotting by B Ata, U Ates, T Usta, E Attar – Medscape General Medicine, 2005 – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Once-a-month injectable contraceptives, cyclofem® and mesigyna®, in Egypt: Efficacy, causes of discontinuation, and side effects by EO Hassan, N El-Nahal, M El-Hussinie – Contraception, 1999 – Elsevier
