Causes of bloody vaginal discharge that you must be aware of

Basically, vaginal discharge is a natural process that functions to clean and protect the vagina from irritation and infection. Normal vaginal discharge is generally odorless, colorless, and does not cause itching in the female area. Now, if your vaginal discharge is brown or even red, it usually indicates the presence of blood in the fluid. There are various factors that can cause bloody vaginal discharge. Anything? Read on to find out.

What is vaginal discharge?

Leucorrhoea is discharge or mucus from the vagina. This mucus is produced by glands in the vagina as a natural way for the reproductive system to clean the female area. Leucorrhoea generally occurs due to hormonal changes, such as during stress, menstruation, or due to sexual activity. Leucorrhoea that occurs due to hormonal changes is generally normal vaginal discharge. While abnormal vaginal discharge usually occurs due to certain medical conditions. However, this abnormal vaginal discharge is often caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites or an infection in the vagina.

Abnormal vaginal discharge can be seen from the color, consistency (thinness or thickness), volume, and odor caused. Now, when the vaginal discharge that comes out of your vagina changes color to milky white, gray, greenish, then smells, and is accompanied by discomfort and itching and burning, this could be a sign of an infection in your reproductive tract.

What causes bleeding vaginal discharge?

There are several factors that can cause brown or reddish spots to appear in your vaginal discharge. These factors include:

1. Hormones and the menstrual cycle

There are several factors that cause a person to experience bloody vaginal discharge related to hormones and the menstrual cycle, namely:

• Due to the anovulation cycle, which is a condition in which the ovaries fail to release an egg. Anovulatory cycles occur in women who are menstruating for the first time and in women who are approaching menopause.
• Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also often experience bloody vaginal discharge due to anovulation cycle.
• Women using hormonal contraceptives You may also experience uterine bleeding, which is what can cause red or brown discharge. Generally, this condition is more common in those who use injection contraceptives and birth control pills.
• Hormonal IUD in fact it can also cause whitish patches, especially during the first few months of use.
• Whitish which is accompanied by blood can also occur due to influence an overactive thyroid gland or even less active, which causes an imbalance in female hormone levels.

2. Infection of the reproductive system

Some reproductive tract infections such as genital warts, gonorrhea, and chlamydia can sometimes cause light bleeding that causes bloody vaginal discharge. Bacterial vaginosis infections, yeast infections, and trichomoniasis infections caused by protozoa cause vaginal discharge to be thick, smelly and fishy, ​​although sometimes these infections do not show some symptoms.

In addition, vaginal blisters due to sexual activity can also cause vaginal discharge mixed with blood, especially for women who have vaginal dryness.

3. Other medical conditions

If a brownish or reddish discharge accompanied by bleeding occurs during pregnancy, this may indicate a problem with the uterus, such as a miscarriage, premature labor or a placental abnormality. In addition, the appearance of spotting or bleeding can also be an indication of female reproductive problems such as uterine fibroids, tumors, or cancer.

So, is bloody vaginal discharge a dangerous thing?

Actually, according to what has been described above there are many causes that can cause vaginal discharge accompanied by blood spots. In some cases, this vaginal discharge is part of the menstrual cycle. However, it is undeniable that this vaginal discharge could be an indication of a more serious medical condition.

Well, that's why the best way to make sure if the vaginal discharge you are experiencing is normal vaginal discharge, then you should consult a doctor. Especially if you complain of unnecessary vaginal discharge accompanied by discomfort in the vaginal area. Your doctor may perform a variety of laboratory tests to get a proper diagnosis.

If necessary, use a feminine cleanser containing povidone iodine during menstruation to prevent abnormal vaginal discharge afterward.

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