What is metrorrhagia?
Metrorrhagia is an older medical term for uterine bleeding that happens at irregular times between expected periods. Doctors now usually call it intermenstrual bleeding, part of abnormal uterine bleeding. When bleeding is both heavy and irregular, it has been called menometrorrhagia. It can range from light spotting to heavier flow.
Common causes
- Hormonal shifts: ovulation spotting, puberty, perimenopause
- Starting or changing the pill, implant, shot or hormonal IUD (breakthrough bleeding)
- Polyps or fibroids
- Infections, including chlamydia and pelvic inflammatory disease
- Pregnancy-related bleeding, including implantation and ectopic pregnancy
- Changes in the cervix, which is why cervical screening matters
- Less often, thyroid problems, bleeding disorders or endometrial changes
Related terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Menorrhagia | Heavy or long periods at the usual time |
| Metrorrhagia | Bleeding between periods, at irregular times |
| Menometrorrhagia | Heavy and irregular bleeding |
| Spotting | Very light bleeding, often brown or pink |
What to do
Note when it happens, how much, and anything that might be linked, like sex, a missed pill or a new medicine. A doctor may suggest a pregnancy test, swabs for infection, cervical screening and an ultrasound. See the full guide to spotting between periods.
See a doctor about any bleeding between periods that keeps happening, bleeding after sex, or any bleeding after menopause. Get urgent care if you could be pregnant and have pain or heavy bleeding.
Frequently asked questions
Is metrorrhagia serious?
Often it isn't, especially light spotting around ovulation or with new contraception. But because some causes need treatment, repeated bleeding between periods should be checked.
Is metrorrhagia the same as spotting?
Spotting is one form of it. Metrorrhagia covers any bleeding between periods, from light spotting to heavier flow.
Can stress cause bleeding between periods?
Stress can upset the hormone signals that run your cycle, which sometimes leads to spotting or an irregular bleed. It is still worth ruling out other causes if it keeps happening.
Sources
This page is for information only and isn鈥檛 medical advice. If something worries you, please talk to a doctor.
Keep reading
Spotting between periods: common causes and when to get checkedSpotting between periods can be ovulation, your contraception or something to check. The common causes, how to tell them apart, and the red flags.
What is spotting?Spotting is very light bleeding outside your normal period, often pink or brown. Common causes, how it differs from a period, and when to see a doctor.Intermenstrual bleeding: definition and meaningIntermenstrual bleeding means bleeding between periods. A plain definition, the common harmless and less harmless causes, and when to see a doctor.What is menorrhagia?Menorrhagia is the medical term for heavy or prolonged periods, now usually called heavy menstrual bleeding. Signs, causes, and when to see a doctor.
Why am I spotting mid-cycle?Mid cycle spotting is often ovulation spotting: a day or two of pink or brown bleeding when estrogen dips. How to tell, other causes, and when to check.