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What is a Uterine Hemorrhage?

Synthia L. Rose
Synthia L. Rose

A uterine hemorrhage is an instance of excessive blood-letting by blood vessels inside the uterus. This bleeding is usually not related to menstruation, except in the case of anovulation, and is considered abnormal and an occasion for medical emergency. The hemorrhage generally results in rapid bleeding that can cause a woman to lose so much blood that she lapses into shock. Neoplasms, pregnancy trauma, and anovulation account for the majority of abnormal bleeding cases in the uterus. Often, chronic or infectious diseases can also cause a uterine hemorrhage.

In most instances, a uterine hemorrhage can last between two days and seven days. Adolescent girls and adult women are mainly affected. A female infant or toddler, however, can suffer a hemorrhage due to estrogen-related tumors, according to medical research.

A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the uterus.
A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the uterus.

Pregnancy-linked hemorrhages include postpartum bleeding and bleeding due to a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. During postpartum hemorrhages, uterine contractions fail to close up blood vessels in the uterus that have been torn by the detachment and expulsion of placenta. When these contractions are too slow or insufficient to halt the bleeding of the vessels, a hemorrhage results, causing some women to lose up to a quart (0.95 liters) of blood. Ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages can bring hemorrhages that are accompanied by severe cramping.

A sexually transmitted disease can result in a uterine hemorrhage.
A sexually transmitted disease can result in a uterine hemorrhage.

Conditions and infections like shigella and pelvic inflammatory disease can sometimes cause bleeding in the uterus. Shigella is type of food poisoning triggered by bacteria. A sexually-transmitted disease like chlamydia can also result in a hemorrhage.

Neoplasms, or abnormal tissue growth, can frequently cause a hemorrhage. The most common types of neoplasms include polyps, lesions, fibroids, and tumors. Often a uterine hemorrhage linked to some of these neoplasms might indicate uterine cancer. In rare cases, belated tumors can form at the site where old placenta was once attached. These tumors, formally called placental site trophoblastic tumors, and related hemorrhages can occur in an older woman who has gone through menopause.

Miscarriages can cause uterine hemorrhaging and severe cramping.
Miscarriages can cause uterine hemorrhaging and severe cramping.

Anovulation is the circumstance of having menstruation-like bleeding that is not a true menstrual cycle. This bleeding is usually extremely heavy and recurs on a regular basis. Unlike true menstruation, this cyclical bleeding occurs without eggs being released by the fallopian tubes.

Lastly, medicines and drug prescriptions can cause uterine hemorrhaging, especially if the medicine contains hormones. Hysterectomies, ablations, and other surgical procedures might be necessary to stem the cause of hemorrhages. Diagnosis of the cause of the hemorrhage is generally done through ultrasound or biopsy.

Discussion Comments

turquoise

I've been experiencing vaginal bleeding for the past several weeks. Could it be tumor?

burcidi

@fBoyle-- It sounds like you're doing everything you can. Postpartum hemorrhage is common and unfortunately, women who have experienced it once, often experience it again during future births. That's something to keep in mind.

Recovery from birth takes a while in general and it's natural for a mother who had abnormal uterine bleeding to take even longer. She needs to rest and eat well.

As I'm sure you know, new mothers may experience depression after giving birth and a birth with complications may contribute to this. Your sister needs to speak to her doctor about depression and take medications if necessary. I also urge you to spend time with her and try to get her to think about things other than her birth experience and hemorrhage.

fBoyle

My sister had her first baby last week and developed a uterine hemorrhage while giving birth. She had to have surgery as well as a blood transfusion because she lost so much blood.

This whole experience has been traumatic for her. She's still in pain and can't get out of bed. She can't even feed my nephew and seems depressed in general.

Is this normal? How long does it usually take to overcome the effects of postpartum hemorrhage? Is there anything I can do to help her recover?

I'm taking care of the baby so that she can get all the rest she needs. I'm just worried about her.

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    • A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the uterus.
      By: isyste
      A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the uterus.
    • A sexually transmitted disease can result in a uterine hemorrhage.
      By: 9nong
      A sexually transmitted disease can result in a uterine hemorrhage.
    • Miscarriages can cause uterine hemorrhaging and severe cramping.
      By: Ermolaev Alexandr
      Miscarriages can cause uterine hemorrhaging and severe cramping.
    • Uterine fibroids can sometimes be the cause of a hemorrhage.
      By: rob3000
      Uterine fibroids can sometimes be the cause of a hemorrhage.
    • In most cases, a uterine hemorrhage can last between two and seven days.
      By: Marin Conic
      In most cases, a uterine hemorrhage can last between two and seven days.
    • Conditions such as shigella can cause bleeding in the uterus.
      By: Africa Studio
      Conditions such as shigella can cause bleeding in the uterus.
    • A woman who needs more than one pad per hour during the postpartum period may be experiencing a uterine hemorrhage.
      By: kellyreekolibry
      A woman who needs more than one pad per hour during the postpartum period may be experiencing a uterine hemorrhage.
    • Anovulation causes extremely heavy, menstrual-like bleeding.
      By: Vlad Ivantcov
      Anovulation causes extremely heavy, menstrual-like bleeding.