CASE-BASED LEARNING in women attending with unscheduled vaginal bleeding. In many Intermenstrual and women no cause for bleeding is identified and it may resolve without intervention. Unscheduled bleeding is often accompa- post-coital bleeding nied by other menstrual disorders including menorrhagia, dys- menorrhoea or dyspareunia (Tables 1 and 2). Sinead Morgan Shreelata Datta Assessment of women with intermenstrual or post-coital bleeding Abstract Unscheduled vaginal bleeding has a myriad of causes and the different pathologies can co-exist. A thorough gynaecological Intermenstrual and post-coital bleeding are very common presenting history and careful examination is an essential aid to diagnosis complaints among women of reproductive age. The majority of and will guide the need for further investigation. In younger cases of unscheduled bleeding in premenopausal women result from women malignancy is uncommon and unscheduled bleeding is benign conditions such as endometrial polyps, infection or from oral more commonly associated with hormonal contraceptive use and contraceptive use. Cervical and endometrial cancers however are is generally termed “breakthrough bleeding”. With increasing associated with abnormal bleeding and therefore it is essential that age fibroids and polyps are more commonly seen and abnormal women with these symptoms are evaluated carefully. The single bleeding in these women should arouse suspicion of malignancy. most important stage in the assessment of women with unscheduled Women with unscheduled bleeding who warrant referral to bleeding is a vaginal speculum examination; the presence of bleeding secondary care include should not delay this essential investigation. Women with risk factors Women over the age of 45 with IMB for endometrial malignancy or symptoms suggestive of gynaecological Women under the age of 45 with IMB and risk factors for pathology may warrant ultrasound examination and/or endometrial bi- endometrial cancer opsy. This review discusses three common causes of intermenstrual Women over the age of 35 with PCB for over 4 weeks and postcoital bleeding and outlines some of the important consider- Persistent IMB and negative examination findings ations in the assessment and management of these patients. Persistent PCB or IMB bleeding at any age Keywords cervical cancer; contraception; endometrial polyp; inter- Failure of previous treatment menstrual bleeding; postcoital Abnormal appearance to cervix or vagina on speculum examination Cervical pathology not suspicious of cancer that may Introduction require treatment (polyp/ectropion) Unscheduled vaginal bleeding is a common indication for Pelvic mass women to seek medical advice in their reproductive years. It has been estimated that almost one quarter of premenopausal women experience intermenstrual bleeding with almost 8% Causes of intermenstrual bleeding experiencing post-coital bleeding at some time. In women under the age of 35 unscheduled bleeding is more commonly associated Physiological Ovulation with contraceptive use, in older women benign gynaecological Vaginal Adenosis conditions such as polyps and fibroids are more commonly seen Vaginal cancer and malignancy is more prevalent. Although malignancy is rare Cervical Cervical polyp in premenopausal women, menstrual irregularities can be one of Cervical ectropion the first symptoms of gynaecological cancer. The association Cervical cancer between abnormal bleeding and cancer can be a source of sig- Infection (chlamydia, gonorrhoea) nificant anxiety for patients. Condylomata Intermenstrual bleeding (IMB) is defined as bleeding at any Uterine Endometrial polyp time during a woman’s cycle other than during menstruation. Fibroids Postcoital bleeding (PCB) is non-menstrual bleeding occurring Endometritis during, immediately or shortly after intercourse. IMB and PCB Adenomyosis often coexist and therefore the causes of both must be considered Endometrial cancer Caesarean scar defect Malpositioned IUCD Ovarian Hormone secreting tumours Sinead Morgan MBBS BSc (Hons) MRCOG is a Specialist Registrar in Hormonal Hormonal contraceptive use Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Princess Royal University Hospital, Poor compliance with hormonal contraceptive ’ King s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. Perimenopausal hormonal changes Conflicts of interest: none declared. Other Drug use (Tamoxifen, anticoagulants) Shreelata Datta MBBS BSc (Hons) LLM MRCOG MD is a Consultant Drug interaction with hormonal contraceptives Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. Conflicts of interest: none declared. Table 1 OBSTETRICS, GYNAECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE --:- 1 Crown Copyright Ó 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Please cite this article in press as: Morgan S, Datta S, Intermenstrual and post-coital bleeding, Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (2017), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogrm.2017.10.003 CASE-BASED LEARNING delayed while waiting for a smear test result. Vaginal swabs Causes of post-coital bleeding should be taken in those at risk of infection. In patients with Vaginal Vaginal cancer concurrent menorrhagia a full blood count should be performed Vaginitis to assess for anaemia. Cervical Cervical ectropion Transvaginal ultrasound is useful to assess fibroids and endo- Cervical polyp metrial abnormalities. Endometrial cavity abnormalities are best Cervical cancer assessed on a post-menstrual ultrasound and saline sonography Infection may aid diagnosis of endometrial polyps where there is uncertainty. Uterine Endometrial polyp Endometrial cancer is rare in young women particularly when Other Trauma there are no additional risk factors however the incidence rises sharply after the age of 40 and therefore endometrial biopsy Table 2 should be considered in these women. Endometrial biopsy is History taking indicated in women over 45 with IMB, women with persistent In the first instance pregnancy must be excluded in any patient IMB and in cases where treatment has failed to improve symp- presenting with unscheduled bleeding. A comprehensive men- toms. Endometrial sampling can be performed as a blind pro- strual history should be taken and details of cycle length and cedure or under hysteroscopic guidance. Hysteroscopy is regularity should be elicited. The pattern of abnormal bleeding particularly useful when a focal endometrial lesion is suspected in relation to the menstrual cycle should be outlined; for on ultrasound and directed biopsy is needed or to allow the example, regular mid-cycle bleeding may suggest bleeding in removal of polyps or submucous fibroids. association with ovulation which is experienced by 1e2% of Risk factors for endometrial cancer include: women. Elevated BMI The presence of other gynaecological symptoms such as Age over 45 menorrhagia, dyspareunia, dysmenorrhoea, vaginal discharge Polycystic ovarian syndrome and temperature should be sought and details of past deliveries Perimenopausal women with anovulatory cycles and pregnancies should be obtained. Oestrogen secreting ovarian tumours A contraceptive history should be taken including current and Tamoxifen use past contraceptive use, compliance with contraception and the Systemic oestrogen use concurrent use of medication that may have resulted in a drug Diabetes interaction. A detailed sexual history is particularly important in Personal or family history of breast, endometrial or colo- women under the age of 25 or those who have a new sexual rectal cancer (Lynch syndrome) partner as these women are at higher risk of sexually transmitted Previous endometrial hyperplasia infections (STI). A past smear history is essential and should include infor- Endometrial polyp mation regarding the most recent smear test result as well as Case 1 details of past smear abnormalities, previous colposcopy and A 38-year-old nulliparous woman is referred to the gynaecology treatments. clinic with a 12-month history of IMB. Her last smear test was 6 A family or personal history of gynaecological, breast or months ago and was normal. She has a regular sexual partner gastrointestinal malignancy should be elicited and smoking sta- and uses condoms for contraception. An infection screen ar- tus should be ascertained. ranged by her GP was normal. She has no significant past med- ical or surgical history and does not take regular medication. Examination Assessment of body mass index (BMI) is important due to the How would you assess this patient? association between endometrial cancer and elevated BMI. A full gynaecological history should be taken; in this case there was Abdominal examination may reveal a pelvic mass in patients no relationship between her intermenstrual bleeding and the stage of with large fibroids. her menstrual cycle. Her periods were regular but heavy and painful. Bimanual and speculum examination are mandatory in Abdominal examination did not identify a pelvic mass. Bimanual women with unscheduled bleeding. Findings suggestive of cer- and speculum examination did not reveal any abnormality. vical malignancy are contact bleeding, ulceration, friable tissue In this case further investigation with ultrasound is indicated or a craggy irregular cervix. The presence of vaginal discharge due to her persistent symptoms and absence of other identifiable and cervical excitation is suggestive of infection and the cervix cause. See Table 1 for differential diagnoses. may appear red, congested or oedematous on speculum exami- nation. A cervical