What Is Vaginal Bleeding After Menopause
Bleeding after Menopause is also called as Post-Menopausal Bleeding . After reaching your menopausal stage, in rare cases you begin to bleed again. It may be confusing in a womans point of view and somehow frightening because of its occurrence.
If a woman already reached her menopausal stage, it is expected that the regular menstruation will stop. But in some cases, bleeding after menopause occurs due to certain underlying factors.
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What You Can Do
When you make the appointment, ask if there’s anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
Make a list of:
- Warning signs you’ve noticed, such as any unusual bruising or bleeding or any rashes, and when they began
- Key personal information, including recent illnesses or medical procedures such as a blood transfusion, major stresses or recent life changes
- All medications, vitamins and other supplements you take, including doses
- Questions to ask your doctor
Take along a family member or friend, if possible, to help you remember the information you receive.
For thrombocytopenia, questions to ask your doctor include:
- How many platelets do I have in my blood?
- Is my platelet count dangerously low?
- What is causing my thrombocytopenia?
- Do I need more tests?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What are my treatment options?
- What will happen if I do nothing?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
- Are there printed materials I can have? What websites do you recommend?
Causes Of Low Platelets
Thrombocytopenia generally is caused by a reduced production of platelets produced in the bone marrow. Viral infections, e-Coli infections and HIV may suppress platelet production. Heavy alcohol consumption also can impair the manufacturing of platelets. Any condition that causes the body to use or destroy more platelets than are produced can also lead to low platelet count. Other causes are pregnancy, the formation of anti-viral antibodies that attack platelets, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis or blood poisoning from severe bacterial infections. This is not a comprehensive list of the causes of low platelet production, but it should be noted that some cases of low platelets can be life-threatening, particularly with severe clotting.
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What Else Should I Know
Most of the time, thrombocytopenia either goes away on its own or can be treated successfully. But children with a low platelet count should take care to avoid injuries, especially to the head, because of the risk of bleeding.
If your child has thrombocytopenia, the doctor will tell you which activities are safe and which to avoid. Your child also shouldn’t take medicines that contain ibuprofen or aspirin because these can increase the risk of bleeding.
What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- Why did I get thrombocytopenia?
- What is the best treatment for me?
- Are there any treatment risks or side effects?
- What changes can I make to minimize bleeding and bruising?
- Should I watch for signs of complications?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
If you have conditions that increase your risk for thrombocytopenia, its important to take precautions to protect your health. A low platelet count can put you at risk for excessive bleeding and bruising. Your healthcare provider can explain whats causing the low platelet count and discuss treatment options. If your condition is severe, you may need to avoid activities that increase your risk of injury and bleeding.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/23/2020.
References
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What Is A Low Blood Count
A low blood count relates to the cells in our blood, which fall into three categories white cells , red cells and platelets. A low blood count can apply to either the haemoglobin, the white cells, or indeed one of the five subtypes of cells, or the platelets being below the lower limit of our reference range. Patients with a low blood count of red cells can be described as being anaemic.
Our reference range is taken from where most patients are on a scale. However, its important to be cautious with this because a low blood count is not always abnormal and some people may have their own blood count which is normal for them despite it being lower than in most people.
What Is A Normal Platelet Count For A Dog
A dogs platelet count is determined by extracting and analyzing a blood sample. If your dog has a high or low platelet count, a veterinarian will have to diagnose the cause. Thrombocytopenia in dogs causes may caused insufficient platelet production, platelet destruction or excessive consumption. Often, thrombocytopenia symptoms only occur in more severe cases.
On the other hand, a high platelet count in dogs could cause thrombi, otherwise known as thrombocytosis, which is very rare in dogs.
Normal platelet counts in dogs are between 175,000 – 500,000. For more, we recommend reading our article where we discuss how to understand a dogs blood test.
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Low Platelet Count Causes
There are numerous causes. Some are temporary, but some are the result of an actual health condition. If you notice a problem with bleeding, you will need to be evaluated by your physician to find the exact cause. Some of the common causes include:
1. Viral Causes
There are certain viral infections that can temporarily decrease the bone marrow production of platelets. These viruses may also affect other blood cells. They are:
Once the virus clears up, the blood cells usually return to a normal state.
2. Drug Induced
Certain medications can either lower platelet production or completely destroy them. Some drugs can stimulate your body to make antibodies against platelets. Other drugs lower the ability of your bone marrow to produce platelets. Some of the drugs that can cause this include:
- Furosemide
Drug induced causes may only slightly affect platelets and your doctor will outweigh the benefits of using the medication against the risk. In other cases of low platelet causes due to drugs, the effects may only be temporary while the medication is being used in the case of antibiotics or chemotherapy.
3. Vitamin B12 Deficiency
4. Alcohol Abuse
5. Autoimmune Conditions
There are a few different autoimmune conditions that destroy the platelets in the blood. This is the bodys own immune system fighting off the good cells as if they were foreign invaders. The common ones are:
Does A Low Blood Count Always Require Treatment
Although a low blood count doesnt always require treatment, often they do need some sort of treatment, management or investigation. There are lots of different presentations of low blood counts that may need treatment or management but this is very dependent on our investigation for potential causes of those blood counts.
When treatment is required, we may give blood back to patients. If, for example, a patient has low red cells and they are anaemic, they might need a red cell blood transfusion. Blood transfusions come from donors and I encourage everyone, if they are able, to consider blood donation to support this essential aspect of patient care. If the platelets are low, we can sometimes give a transfusion of platelets, which is another part of the blood taken from a blood donation. In this way, blood transfusions can act like replacements in patients with some types of low blood count.
We can also give injections to boost the white cell count and other types of treatment may be applied to the cause of the low blood counts. In some cases, this may relate to replacing missing iron if the patient has a deficiency. This can be treated with tablets, as can some vitamin deficiencies that can be behind low blood counts, such as vitamin B12 or folic acid. Its important to investigate to find the causes of these deficiencies.
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Our Approach To Immune Thrombocytopenia
UCSF delivers compassionate, personalized care for immune thrombocytopenia . Treatment options include several types of medication that can restore platelets to adequate levels. Splenectomy, or surgical removal of the spleen, provides a permanent cure but leaves patients more susceptible to infections.
People with mild ITP generally need monitoring but no immediate treatment. Patients may have to make lifestyle changes, such as avoiding contact sports and certain medications that affect platelets, including aspirin and ibuprofen.
What Causes Thrombocytopenia In The Newborn
Thrombocytopenia may be caused when a baby doesn’t make enough platelets, when the platelets are trapped somewhere in the body , or when the platelets break down too soon.
Making too few platelets may be caused by problems with a mother’s blood pressure, such as pre-eclampsia. This limits blood flow to the baby. Less often it may be caused by infections in the baby’s bone marrow while in the uterus. Examples are rubella or syphilis. Some medicines taken by the mother or given to the baby can also affect the bone marrow and lower the number of platelets made. Some rare genetic disorders also lower the number of platelets made.
Another reason for thrombocytopenia is when a mothers immune system makes antibodies against the babys platelets. This causes the platelets to break down too soon. Some babies who are very sick will also break down platelets too soon, because of the illness.
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How Can I Prevent Thrombocytopenia
If youre at risk for thrombocytopenia, these steps may help prevent it:
- Avoid medicines that thin blood and increase bleeding risk, such as aspirin, naprosyn and ibuprofen.
- Take care with contact sports and activities that can cause injuries, bruising and bleeding.
- Minimize contact with toxic chemicals.
- Take extra care when shaving, brushing your teeth and blowing your nose.
- Limit your intake of alcohol which slows down the production of platelets and causes liver damage.
How To Treat A Low Platelet Count
If you notice that youre developing bruises more easily and bleeding for a long period of time even after only getting a minor cut, talk to your doctor to check your platelet counts. A diagnosis of a low platelet count can be made using several tests: a complete blood count, which measures the levels of all blood cells/platelets in your blood a blood smear, which looks at the actual shape of your platelets or bone marrow tests and blood clotting tests to check for proper production and function of platelets. You might also need an ultrasound to check your spleen to see if its enlarged and possibly tapping platelets inside.
Sometimes thrombocytopenia is only mild and doesnt even need to be treated, since blood can still clot normally enough. Other times if it becomes severe, your doctor might need to prescribe medications to help ensure blood can clot or change the medications you currently take to stop their side effects. Medications and treatments used to stabilize severely low platelet counts can include platelet transfusions, splenectomy , corticosteroids or immunoglobulins, which block effects of the immune system.
Once a diagnosis has been made, you can use the recommendations below to help raise your blood platelet counts, manage symptoms and prevent complications from developing:
1. Improve Your Diet
2. Decrease or Eliminate Alcohol and Sugary Drinks
3. Reduce Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
4. Decrease or Stop Using Painkilling Drugs
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Is Injecting Directly Into The Disc Better Or Equal To Treating The Surrounding Disc Area
A February 2021 paper had an international team of doctors explore the various aspects of PRP for low back pain. A discussion of both injections into the facet joint and into the disc itself was covered. Here are some of the papers learning points:
Facet joints have been implicated in 40% of cases of spine pain. However, the researchers noted that at the time of their studys publication, only three studies that investigated the results of PRP injections into the facet joints and the surrounding ligaments had been published.
In one study of five patients: PRP was injected into the facet joints, capsule, supraspinous, and infraspinous ligaments under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance. All five cases reported a significant improvement in their pain. However, given the absence of a control group, it is not possible to conclude whether this treatment is better or worse than the established modalities.
Another study enrolled 19 patients with lumbar facet joint syndrome and injected autologous PRP into the lumbar facet joints under X-ray fluoroscopic guidance. Significant pain reduction was experienced by nine patients immediately after treatment, 14 at 1 week, and 15 patients at one month, two months, and three months.
Low Platelet Count Vs High Platelet Count
Here is how platelet counts are normally defined:
- normal platelet count: between 150,000450,000 platelets per microliter of circulating blood
- low platelet count: anything under 150,000 platelets per microliter of circulating blood is considered low
- high platelet count: above 450,000 platelets per microliter is high at this point your doctor will likely look for an underlying condition
Having abnormally high platelet counts is referred to as thrombocytosis. An underlying condition of high platelets could be an infection, or it could be due to a blood and bone marrow disease, which makes the causes similar to those of low platelets. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness, chest pains, and weakness. Both high and low platelet counts are treated similarly and depend on whats causing them in the first place. Usually changing someones medications, diet and nutrient intake can help both conditions, or making sure to identify any underlying infection or autoimmune disorder.
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Natural Remedies For Low Blood Platelets
Diet plays a crucial role in how many blood platelets should be. Knowing what to eat to increase blood platelets and what fruits to use to increase blood pressure is essential for treating this disease. Strategies such as the use of platelet ampules or platelet-enhancing pills are often recommended in severe cases of the disease, and in the first place, natural solutions to increase platelets are preferred.
How Is Thrombocytopenia Treated
Treatment for thrombocytopenia depends on what caused it and whether you have any symptoms. If you have mild thrombocytopenia, you may not need treatment. A fully normal platelet count is not necessary to prevent serious bleeding, even with serious cuts or accidents.
If you have serious bleeding or a high risk of complications, you may need medicines or procedures. Also, you will need to treat the condition that is causing the low platelet count.
If a reaction to a medicine is causing the low platelet count, your provider may prescribe another medicine. Most people recover after the initial medicine has been stopped. For HIT, stopping the heparin is not enough. Often, you will need another medicine to prevent blood clotting.
If your immune system is causing the low platelet count, your provider may prescribe medicines to suppress the immune system.
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Do You Have A Low Platelet Count Risks & 7 Natural Treatments
Do you tend to bruise easily and have trouble stoping cuts or wounds from bleeding? Or perhaps frequently get nosebleeds or bloody gums? If so, theres a chance you have a low platelet count.
Having a low platelet count a condition called thrombocytopenia is a problem with normal blood clotting and bruising that results from having low levels of thrombocytes, colorless blood cells produced by bone marrow. Thrombocytes are responsible for helping form blood clots in the arteries/veins and stopping bleeding. A low platelet count puts someone at a higher risk for internal bleeding or other blood clotting and blood vessel-related problems and unfortunately can sometimes really take a toll on quality of life.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura is the type of low platelet count caused by an autoimmune disease that affects how platelets are produced and used in the body. Autoimmune disorders, including arthritis, leukemia and lymphoma, can all trigger ITP, and factors like medication use and toxin exposure can also lower blood platelet counts. Not every patient with low platelet counts has a serious autoimmune disorder. Some cases of mild thrombocytopenia are caused by common lifestyle factors, can be treated pretty easily, and dont even cause any noticeable signs and symptoms at all.
What Do Your Blood Cells Do
Inside your bones, there’s a spongy substance called bone marrow. Your bone marrow produces your blood cells. Your blood cells each have a specific function.
Red blood cells. Your red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin that gives them their red color. When you breathe in oxygen, it binds to the hemoglobin and is carried throughout your body. Red blood cells also get rid of carbon dioxide by taking it to your lungs to be exhaled.
White blood cells. These are also called leukocytes. They only make up about 1% of your blood. White blood cells protect you from illnesses and diseases. They are always flowing through your blood, looking for viruses, bacteria, and other foreign invaders. When they find a threat, they rush in to fight it.
Platelets. Platelets are the smallest of your blood cells. They are shaped like little plates when they’re not activated. When you damage a blood vessel, it sends out a signal to your platelets. Your platelets respond by rushing to the area. They bind with the damaged blood vessel by growing tentacles. This causes your blood to clot.
Pancytopenia occurs when you have a combination of three different blood disorders:
- Anemia is when you have too few red blood cells.
- Leukopenia is when you have too few white blood cells.
- Thrombocytopenia is when you have too few platelets.
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Reducing Your Risk Of Bleeding
If you have very low platelet levels, there are some precautions you can take to reduce your risk of bleeding.
Food, drink and medicines
- Try to limit how much alcohol you drink as it can make bleeding worse.
- Check with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medicines, supplements or herbal remedies.
- Do not take aspirin or other blood-thinning medicines unless your doctor has told you to.
- Avoid using enemas or suppositories.
Activities
- Be very careful when you use knives, scissors or other sharp tools.
- Avoid high-impact sports and contact sports .
- Wear gloves and clothes that cover your skin to help protect you from scratches and cuts if you do activities where you might injure yourself .
- Wear shoes or slippers to protect your feet from injuries.
Hygiene
- Brush your teeth gently using a soft toothbrush. Avoid flossing to prevent your gums bleeding.
- Be gentle when blowing your nose to help prevent nosebleeds.
- Use an electric razor instead of wet shaving.
- Use sanitary towels instead of tampons.
- Use a water-based lubricant during sex.