From the Guidelines
The medical term for vaginal spotting is metrorrhagia. Metrorrhagia refers to irregular vaginal bleeding that occurs between expected menstrual periods. This differs from menorrhagia, which describes abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Vaginal spotting can have various causes including hormonal fluctuations, contraceptive use, pregnancy complications, infections, structural abnormalities, or underlying medical conditions 1. The amount of blood is typically light, appearing as drops or small amounts that may be red, brown, or pink in color. While occasional spotting might be normal for some individuals, persistent or unusual spotting warrants medical evaluation, especially if accompanied by pain, occurs after menopause, or happens during pregnancy.
According to the most recent guidelines, if clinically indicated, consideration of an underlying health condition, such as interactions with other medications, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy, thyroid disorders, or new pathologic uterine conditions (e.g., polyps or fibroids), is necessary 1. Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause, which a healthcare provider can determine through examination and possibly additional testing such as ultrasound, hormone level testing, or endometrial biopsy.
Some key points to consider in the management of vaginal spotting include:
- Exploring patient goals, including continued use of current contraceptive methods or switching to alternative methods 1
- Considering treatment options such as hormonal treatment, antifibrinolytic agents, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for bleeding irregularities 1
- Referring patients for further care if an underlying gynecological problem is found or if bleeding persists and is unacceptable to the patient 1
It is essential to prioritize the patient's health and well-being, and treatment should be individualized based on the patient's specific needs and medical history 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting The medical term for vaginal spotting is not explicitly stated, but irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting is mentioned as a side effect.
- Vaginal spotting can be considered a colloquial or layman's term for irregular vaginal bleeding. However, the exact medical term is not provided in the label. 2
From the Research
Medical Term for Vaginal Spotting
The medical term for vaginal spotting can be associated with several conditions, including:
- Menometrorrhagia, which refers to irregular and heavy menstrual bleeding 3
- Metrorrhagia, which is characterized by irregular uterine bleeding 4
- Breakthrough bleeding, which occurs when bleeding happens while using contraceptives 4
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), which is a diagnosis made by excluding other etiologies 5
Causes and Diagnosis
Vaginal spotting can be caused by various factors, including:
- Hormonal changes
- Uterine abnormalities, such as fibroids or polyps
- Contraceptive use
- Pregnancy complications Diagnosis of the underlying cause of vaginal spotting can be made using various methods, including:
- Pelvic examination
- Vaginal sonography
- Endometrial biopsy
- Hysterosonography 3, 6
Treatment and Management
Treatment of vaginal spotting depends on the underlying cause and may include: