Menstrual Cycle
Intermenstrual Bleeding
There isn't a huge difference between metrorrhagia and intermenstrual bleeding, and patients can easily confuse the two.
Let's try to explain this a bit more clearly:
With metrorrhagia, irregular and frequent bleeding or spotting occurs regardless of amount.
With intermenstrual bleeding, bleeding of varying amounts occurs between otherwise regular menstrual periods.
The causes are often related to IUD use or hormonal birth control methods.
However, it wouldn't be accurate to attribute it only to these causes. If you experience this type of bleeding occasionally or for the first time, you should see a gynecologist without significant delay.
References
- The two FIGO systems for normal and abnormal uterine bleeding symptoms and classification of causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in the reproductive years: 2018 revisions. Munro MG, et al. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 2018.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management (NICE guideline NG88). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2018.
- Irregular periods. NHS (UK National Health Service).
Medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Şükrü Sanus, Obstetrician & Gynecologist · Last medical review: