Bleeding Between Periods

Some of the causes for abnormal bleeding, which are visible to ultrasound, include polyp growths, abnormal thickening of the uterus lining, fibroids or unusual ovarian activity.

There is often more than one reason to request an abdominal or a vaginal scan, and the results will help your referring doctor with the diagnosis. 

At Life Medical Imaging in Bateau Bay, we are a team of sonographers and doctors with a particular expertise in O&G, and any difficult or borderline findings are covered with, or by the doctor. Thanks to our team approach, there is more time for the detail of each ultrasound.

If you experience bleeding between periods, a clear ultrasound will provide useful information to your doctor. Having a filled bladder adds clarity to your ultrasound, which is why we ask you to drink an hour beforehand. 

Three large glasses are recommended before an abdominal-only ultrasound. Two glasses of liquid are enough when a vaginal scan is also to be performed. With a vaginal scan, a narrow probe is inserted into the vagina after bladder emptying. It is a far gentler examination than a Pap smear, and provides much more detail than an abdominal scan.  

If you have had previous ultrasounds performed at any other practice in the last 5 years, please bring any reports and pictures you may have. Change over time helps interpret your current ultrasound. If you do not have the report or films, bring the name of the practice where you had the ultrasound.  Films more than 5 years old are rarely useful.

If you are bleeding between periods, but the periods themselves are still regular, the best time of your cycle for your scan is from day 5 to day 11 (starting the count from the first day or your proper period). 

If you have been referred because you experience heavy, or prolonged bleeding between periods, then the timing of your ultrasound appointment can be difficult for you to work out, as you may be unsure which bleeding episode is the true period.  

That’s ok – just make the best estimate you can. If you are bleeding most of the time, do not delay your ultrasound appointment.  

Irregular bleeding, such as bleeding between periods can happen for a number of causes, including hormonal changes (if you just started taking hormonal contraceptives) and most likely is nothing to be worried about. However, if you’re concerned you should consult a doctor.

If you have been experiencing irregular bleeding for more than a few months, or if you’re concerned about it, you should consult your doctor. It might be a good idea to keep a menstrual diary to track any irregularity or bleeding.

Bleeding between periods can have a range of causes. It often happens when you start taking hormonal contraceptives, which cause your hormone levels to drop. This type of bleeding, also called breakthrough bleeding, usually happens about 2 weeks after your last period. Another very common cause for bleeding 2 weeks after your last period might just be ovulation. For some women, the rupture of the ovary follicles that releases the egg can cause some light spotting.

Early pregnancy is one of the possible causes for your irregular period. According to the American Pregnancy Association, 20% of women experience spotting during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you get your period twice in one month and are secually active, you may want to take a pregnancy test to rule out an early pregnancy.