Vaginal spotting is common in women during pregnancy. It refers to any vaginal bleeding that is unrelated to normal menstrual flow., which may raise a woman’s anxiety and prompt medical consult. The following are the causes, signs and symptoms, and home remedies for vaginal spotting.
Causes
Vaginal spotting is attributed to a number of causes. According to Mayo Clinic, these include cancers and precancerous conditions like cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and vaginal cancer; endocrine conditions like hypothyroidism, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS, and withdrawal bleeding; reproductive issues like random ovulatory cycles, fluctuating hormone levels, and ectopic pregnancy; infections like cervicitis, chlamydia trachomatis, gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease, and vaginitis; medical conditions like thrombocytopenia, celiac disease, and von Willebrand disease; medications and devices like Tamoxifen, tampon, and intrauterine device; and trauma due to blunt trauma, penetrating injury, and sexual abuse..
Signs and Symptoms
Vaginal spotting may present symptoms like heavier blood flow than usual. According to Web MD, a woman may have minimal bleeding or heavy vaginal bleeding, which occurs before 12 weeks. Vaginal spotting may also be accompanied by pain and uterine contractions. As per the publication, any bleeding during pregnancy needs to be assessed and evaluated by the doctor; this is to assess the health status of both the mother and the baby.
Home Remedies
Medications like oxytocin may promote uterine contraction to prevent bleeding; however, some remedies can also be done at home to manage vaginal spotting.
Diet
A bleeding woman needs nourishment to provide nutrients (vitamins and minerals) to compensate with blood loss. According to Diet Health Club, the person should eat whole grains, green leafy vegetables, legumes, salmon, fresh fruits, tuna, papaya, pineapples, mangoes , and dark grapes. Iron rich foods are also recommended for bleeding to prevent anemia and boost the immune system; sources include meat, liver, green leafy vegetables and milk; however, the woman should avoid eating beef, chicken, and cheese, as per the publication.
Ginger
Another remedy for vaginal spotting is ginger. According to Diet Health Club, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, which helps manage the bleeding. As per the publication, the person boils a few pieces of ginger with water and drinks the preparation thrice a day; sugar can also be added to enhance the ginger’s taste.
Banana Flower and Curd
The combination of banana flower and curd also helps manage vaginal bleeding. According to Lady Care Help, the remedy also relieves the pain and cramps during spotting or bleeding. Also, it helps manage condition diabetes and anemia, since vaginal spotting involves blood loss. As per Health Benefit Times, banana flowers can be eaten either boiled or alone to raise red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels and reduce blood sugar levels in the body.
Cold Application
Cold therapy is also a remedy for vaginal spotting. The cold temperature promotes vasoconstriction or narrowing of the blood vessels, which reduces blood flow in an area. Cold application also helps reduce pain in the area.
Using Tampons
Tampons may be used for abnormal vaginal bleeding. According to Web MD, they should be changed often and should not be left in place when the bleeding has ended. As per the publication, leaving one in the vaginal may lead to toxic shock syndrome, a rare but life-threatening illness that develops abruptly following a systemic bacterial infection.
Vaginal spotting refers to unusual vaginal bleeding and it may indicate actual or potential problems in a pregnant woman’s health. With this, it may affect a person’s activities of daily living. Thus, it is best to seek medical consult from a doctor for proper assessment and history taking, planning, intervention, health education, and evaluation.
Source: onemedical.com
