Red discharge in women - what is it? Diagnostics and norm

Red discharge from the genital tract of a woman is a variant of the norm only when menstruating.

In other cases, as a rule, it is a matter of some kind of pathology( with the exception of scant pink and red secretions that appear in some women at the time of ovulation).Therefore, the appearance of this symptom should serve as a signal for consultation with a gynecologist.

Reasons for red discharge in women

The most likely causes of red secretions in women depend on her age. According to statistics, in young girls( at the age of 12-15 years) most often their appearance is due to functional hormonal disorders.

Over time, they lead to dysfunctional bleeding. In rare cases, the cause of bleeding at a young age can be ovarian tumors that have hormonal activity.

Young girls, if the menstrual cycle is disturbed, an ultrasound examination is recommended.

In the reproductive age, the list of conditions when there are red secretions( but not monthly ones) is expanding.

A similar symptom may indicate a number of diseases:

• Myoma of the uterus, especially its submucosal forms, disrupting the process of contraction of the myometrium;
• Cervical erosion( it can be caused by trauma, infection and hormonal imbalance);
• Uterine polyps( local proliferation of the inner layer);
• Ovarian cyst accompanied by the formation of hormones that stimulate the growth of the endometrium;
• Endometriosis, characterized by the presence of foci in the body, which undergo cyclic changes, like the uterus, which leads to the release of blood from them.

If there are red discharge in women over 45 years - this may be the first sign of a malignant tumor of the uterus or its neck.

Therefore, such patients are always recommended a comprehensive examination to identify cancer pathology, the probability of which at this age is increased.

Only after neoplasms are excluded, can be considered as a cause of hemorrhages - polyps and myoma of the uterus. The reverse approach is incorrect, becausecan lead to diagnostic errors, when serious life-threatening diseases are missed.

A similar principle is followed in women with stopped menstruation( menopausal age).

What do red discharge mean to them?

In this age group, the risk of cancer is even higher. Therefore, as a primary cause, cancer of the uterus and its cervix are considered.

The second place is occupied by arterial hypertension, in which the vessels are affected, and against the background of a further increase in pressure, their rupture occurs. This leads to bloody discharge in menopausal age in the absence of any gynecological pathology.

Red discharge after menstruation

Women often ask the question: "Why do red discharges after menstruation continue or appear again"?This gives them discomfort, incl.and in the intimate sphere.

The main causes leading to prolonged blood loss are diverse. They can be:

• Spikes in the uterine cavity( Asherman's syndrome, developing after scraping the uterus);
• Chronic inflammatory process of the uterine mucosa( most often it is a consequence of urogenital infection and manifests as red and white secretions due to the impurity in them of leukocytes);
• Endocervicosis( this is the second name for cervical erosion);
• Polycystic ovaries characterized by increased production of testosterone;
• Hypothyroidism - a decrease in the function of the thyroid gland is accompanied by the persistence( prolonged existence) of the yellow body.

The onset, but still undiagnosed pregnancy can also be the cause of red discharge. In some women, this happens at the time of implantation of the egg into the uterus.

Therefore, bleeding after menstruation, occurring during several menstrual cycles, require a number of studies:

• Vaginal examination;
• Ultrasound diagnosis of the uterus and its appendages, thyroid gland;
• Colposcopy - cervical imaging under the microscope;
• Blood or vaginal content analysis for urogenital infections - mycoplasma, chlamydia, ureaplasma;
• Analysis of the hormonal profile( female and thyroid hormones).

Red discharge in the middle of the cycle

Red discharge in the middle of the cycle may indicate an ovulation that has occurred. Their appearance is explained by a sharp decrease in the level of sex hormones, which is especially significant in some women.

As a result, there is a rupture of the capillaries of the uterine mucosa. The risk of such bleeding( although minimal) increases against the background of wearing a spiral.

It provokes an inflammatory process in the uterus, with which its contraceptive effect is connected. On its background, the vascular wall becomes thinned and easily torn.

In addition to the spiral, the risk of ovulatory red discharge increases if:

• The woman has repeatedly undergone abortions and curettage of the uterus;
• After the birth or abortion, endometritis developed;
• In the body there are sharp jumps of female hormones, deviating from the norm;
• The thyroid gland functions with impairments.

Therefore, patients who are worried about spotting in the middle of the cycle are advised to confirm their association with ovulation.

For this, special tests( determine the peak of luteinizing hormones) and ultrasound( there are diagnostic markers for rupture of the follicle).

If a direct connection is found between the bleeding and the ovulatory phase of the cycle, no further examination is required. Otherwise, the occurring changes are regarded as a violation of the cycle.

This implies performing a diagnostic search to determine the true cause of this condition.

Red discharge before monthly

Red discharge before menstruation is always meager. An important diagnostic criterion is the presence or absence of pain syndrome. If it is, and the secretions are reddish brown, then the most likely cause of this condition is endometriosis.

It is characterized by intense pain, which is especially pronounced in the first days of menstruation. Then they gradually abate and to the third - the fourth day pass.

Of the drugs most effective for their relief are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory( Ibuprofen, etc.).If the disease is not treated, then this leads to a gradual psychoemotional exhaustion of the woman.

But for an adequate selection of therapy requires the establishment of the correct diagnosis. For this purpose, ultrasound examination( on the eve of menstruation) and diagnostic laparoscopy is performed.

Spotting before the monthly, which is not accompanied by pain, is the norm option. The mucous membrane of the uterus during menstruation can not be rejected at the same time, so the discharge intensifies gradually.

In the early days they can only be smearing, scanty.

Red discharge during pregnancy

Red discharge during pregnancy in most cases indicates its complicated course, which can pose a threat to the fetus.

A variant of the norm is the appearance of the so-called "implantation bleeding".This is the presence of SCUD bloody discharge at the time of introduction of the ovule into the endometrium.

This condition is not observed in all pregnant women. Often, when such a symptom appears, a woman still does not even know that she is in an "interesting" position. Therefore, patients of a young age, with the presence of such a complaint, it is recommended to make a pregnancy test.

Red discharge during early pregnancy may indicate a number of complications:

• The threat of interruption( miscarriage);
• Low location( in the area of ​​the uterine neck) of placental tissue;
• Erosion on the cervix( in this case, the risk for the fetus is minimal).

Bloody discharge in the second half of pregnancy is a sign:

• Changes in the cervix of the uterus that occur when there is a threat of premature birth;
• Detachments of normally located placental tissue;
• Detachment of the underlying( low-lying) placenta.

In addition to these reasons, the highlight of bright red color seen on the underwear of a pregnant woman may be a consequence of hemorrhoids or an inflammatory process in the genitourinary system( urethritis, vaginitis).

To perform differential diagnosis, the gynecologist performs a vaginal examination and a number of additional examinations:

• Vaginal secretion microscopy;
• General clinical analysis of urine;
  General clinical blood test for determination of hemoglobin level( its low value indicates a chronic, recurring pattern of blood discharge);
• Ultrasound examination evaluating the length of the neck and its diameter.

Depending on the diagnosis, further treatment is carried out.

When a threat of interruption is prescribed funds that reduce the tone of the uterus, and corrective hormonal disorders. Exfoliation of placental tissue requires the appointment of hemostatic and antispasmodic drugs.

Periodically bleeding erosion is not treated during pregnancy. Her treatment should be dealt with after 1.5 months after delivery, when the cervix will return to its normal state after involutive processes.

Usually, either cryodestruction( low temperature effect) or coagulation with an electric current is performed. In pregnant women, the impact of these physical factors can adversely affect the development of the fetus.