Metrorrhagia

Metrorrhagia
Classification and external resources
Specialty

urology

ICD-10

N92.1, N92.4

ICD-9-CM

626.6

DiseasesDB

6847

MeSH

D008796

Metrorrhagia (metro = womb, -rrhagia = excessive flow[1]) is uterine bleeding at irregular

intervals, particularly between the expected menstrual periods.[2]
In some women, menstrual spotting between periods occurs as a normal and harmless part
of ovulation. Some women experience acute mid-cycle abdominal pain around the time of
ovulation (sometimes referred to by the German term for this phenomenon, mittelschmerz). This
may also occur at the same time as menstrual spotting. The term breakthrough bleeding or
breakthrough spotting is usually used for women using hormonal contraceptives, such
as IUDs or oral contraceptives, in which it refers to bleeding or spotting between any expected
withdrawal bleedings, or bleeding or spotting at any time if none is expected. If spotting
continues beyond the first three cycles of oral contraceptive use, a woman should have her
prescription changed to a pill containing either more estrogen or more progesterone.[3]
Metrorrhagia may also be a sign of an underlying disorder, such as hormone
imbalance, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or cancer of the reproductive organs.
Due to repeated and heavy bleeding, it can cause significant iron deficiency anemia.
Contents
[hide]

1 Cause

2 See also

3 References

4 External links
Cause[edit]
Intermittent spotting between periods can result from any of numerous reproductive system
disorders.
Neoplasia:

Cervical cancer

Uterine cancer

Vaginal cancer

Endometrial cancer

Primary fallopian tube cancer

Ovarian cancer

Inflammation:

Cervicitis

Endometritis

Vaginitis

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Endometrial abnormalities:

Endometriosis

Adenomyosis

Uterine leiomyomas

Endometrial hyperplasia

Polyps

Endocrinological causes:

Hormone imbalance

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding

Diets which induce ketosis, such as the Atkins diet

polycystic ovarian syndrome

Bleeding disorders:

Von Willebrand Disease

Pancytopenia due to leukemia

Drug induced:

Use of progestin-only contraceptives, such as Depo Provera

Change in oral contraception

Overdose of anticoagulant medication or Aspirine abuse

Traumatic causes:

Trauma

Automutilation

Sexual abuse or rape

Related to pregnancy:

Implantation bleeding

Ectopic pregnancy

(Incomplete) miscarriage

Other causes:

Enlarged uterus with menorrhea

See also[edit]

Menometrorrhagia

Menstruation

References[edit]
1.

Jump up^ "Rrhagia | Define Rrhagia at Dictionary.com".

Dictionary.reference.com. Retrieved 2013-06-27.

2.

Jump up^ MedicineNet.com > Definition of Metrorrhagia Last Editorial Review:

3/17/2003

3.

Jump up^ Carlson, Karen J., MD; Eisenstat, Stephanie A., MD; Ziporyn, Terra,
PhD (2004). The New Harvard Guide to Women's Health. Harvard University Press.
p. 385. ISBN 0-674-01343-3.