Many women have breakthrough bleeding or an irregular cycle at some time in their life. Breakthrough bleeding occurs then a woman experiences spotting or irregular bleeding in between periods. This type of bleeding is most commonly a result of birth control use, but other conditions can cause hormone levels to fluctuate, triggering breakthrough bleeding. St. John Providence Health System states that breakthrough bleeding is usually light and generally lasts only a day or two.
Birth Control
Females who use birth control are at risk for breakthrough bleeding, according to the website UpToDate. Hormonal birth control such as pills, a shot or the patch may experience breakthrough bleeding during the first few months due to changes in the lining of the uterus. The bleeding usually occurs in between periods and it is often light in nature. If the breakthrough bleeding lasts longer then a few months then a physician may prescribe a different type of birth control. In some cases, a female may experience breakthrough bleeding when she forgets to take her birth control pill or when she takes the pill late. Taking birth control pills incorrectly can cause an imbalance in hormones, leading to breakthrough bleeding.
Endometrial Hyperplasia
Breakthrough bleeding is most commonly caused by endometrial hyperplasia or an excessively thick uterine lining, according to The American Congress of Obstetrician and Gynecologists. Women who have endometrial hyperplasia tend to have irregular and/or lengthy periods due to a hormonal imbalance. Endometrial hyperplasia occurs when the body produces too much estrogen and not enough progesterone. If left untreated, endometrial hyperplasia may produce changes in the uterus that can lead to cancer.
Polyps
Polyps have been known to cause breakthrough bleeding in some women, according to Dr. Spock. Polyps are benign growths that develop when the tissue inside of the uterus either attaches to the uterine wall or grows on the outside of the uterus, causing irregular or heavy bleeding. In addition, polyps can grow on the cervix or inside the cervical canal, resulting in bleeding or spotting following sexual activity.
Fluctuating Hormones
Women who experience fluctuating hormones around ovulation may experience breakthrough bleeding. Breakthrough bleeding usually occurs as hormones such as estrogen and progesterone continuously rise and fall. Estrogen and progesterone regulate how often a woman ovulates during her menstrual cycle. When there is an imbalance between these hormones, ovulation is either delayed or prevented, resulting in breakthrough or abnormal bleeding.
References
- Up to Date: Patient information: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
- The American Congress of Obstetrician and Gyneocologists: Perimenopause Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
- Dr. Spock: Bleeding Between Periods
- St. John Providence Health System: Bleeding Between Periods
- 34 Menopause Symptoms: Bleeding Between Menstrual Periods
