TOP FIVE REASONS WHY YOU ARE CRAMPING AND BLEEDING BETWEEN YOUR PERIODS

Written by Vilte Cereskaite

Did you know that the official medical term for bleeding between periods is called metrorrhagia? Otherwise known as a breakthrough bleed or spotting, when this happens, it’s our bodies trying to tell us something! Typically, our cycle lasts between 25 to 30 days, with our periods taking up 2 to 7 days of that time scale. But, what if you are cramping and bleeding in between? In this article, we will be exploring all the reasons why this might be happening.

• Let's talk about sex baby.

If you are bleeding only slightly, usually after going to the bathroom, this could be down to your vagina being damaged. If the skin or tissue has been irritated or even torn, then it can bleed a small bit. The most common way for this to happen is due to penetrative sex, which can sometimes be a little too rough, or maybe, your vagina was too dry.

Naturally, when we are having sex, our body will produce a natural lubricant in order to prepare our organs for this activity. However, sometimes this can not be enough and will need to introduce other forms of lubrication into the bedroom. If you find this is a common problem, shopping around for some safe and PH-balanced lubes can be a great option! However, dryness can also indicate your hormone levels changing, which can be down a range of things, including menopause and diabetes. If you are worried about any of these possibilities, it’s a good idea to talk to a medical professional or your doctor.

•  The Pills and their effects.

If you are one of the many people in the UK that use a contraceptive pill, then having an irregular bleed is not uncommon. Bleeding whilst not on your period is normal during your first few months of starting any hormonal contraception, as your body needs time to adjust and your hormones need to be realigned with one another. This can go for any form of hormonal contraception, such as:

• Combined oral contraceptive pill
• Progestogen-only contraceptive pill
• Contraceptive patch
• Contraceptive implant or injection

• What is implantation bleeding?

Bleeding or cramping in between your normal menstrual cycle can be an early sign that you may be pregnant. Typically, this is called spotting and it marks the moment the fertilised egg implants itself into the lining of your uterus. Hence the name ‘implantation bleeding’. This could also be the reason you are feeling slight cramping, as your uterus is adjusting to this change.

• Endometriosis
  

If you find yourself bleeding often in between your regular periods, it’s always a good idea to speak to a doctor or medical professional as this could be a sign of endometriosis. This breakthrough bleed may look light, but could also be much heavier and look a lot like a normal menstrual period, however, it’s not your time of the month yet.

• Menopause or Perimenopause

The menopause stage can look completely different for every woman. It can happen at a different age and give us all, completely unique symptoms. Typically, the menopausal transition starts between the ages of 45 to 55, and as we lead up to this point, we go through the phase called ‘perimenopause’. This is where we experience certain symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and problems sleeping - as well as changes in our cycle. It’s not uncommon to get a breakthrough bleed during this transitional period, as your body naturally prepares itself for the next stage in your life. During this time, we would recommend always having a couple of our disposable bags on hand, just in case you get caught out whilst out and about. 

So there you have it - there are multiple reasons why you could be cramping between your periods and we always advise that if you are worried or confused about what’s happening - Go see the doctor!