What are the differences between uterine bleeding and menstruation?

Generally, uterine bleeding and menstruation differ significantly in terms of cycle regularity and bleeding characteristics. These differences mainly include variations in cycle regularity, duration of bleeding, amount of bleeding, blood characteristics, and associated symptoms. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Different cycle regularity: Menstruation has a clear cycle, occurring once every month under normal conditions, with a typical cycle length of 21-35 days and fluctuations no more than 7 days before or after; it is regular and consistent. Uterine bleeding does not follow a fixed cycle and can occur at any time, possibly with intervals of several days, weeks, or even months, or it may involve continuous bleeding without any discernible pattern.

2. Different durations of bleeding: Menstrual bleeding lasts for a relatively fixed duration, typically 3-7 days, with most women finishing within this range. Uterine bleeding varies in duration, ranging from 1-2 days to over ten days or even months. The duration is not restricted by regular patterns and may stop suddenly or recur repeatedly.

3. Different amounts of bleeding: Menstrual flow is relatively stable, with a total blood loss per period of about 20-60 milliliters. The number of sanitary pads used daily is relatively consistent, without sudden significant increases or decreases. Uterine bleeding varies greatly in volume, potentially presenting as light spotting or heavy bleeding, even exceeding several times the normal menstrual volume. Blood clots may appear during the bleeding process.

4. Different blood characteristics: Menstrual blood is mostly dark red and contains not only blood but also endometrial fragments and cervical mucus; it does not clot easily. The blood from uterine bleeding varies in color, possibly appearing bright red, pink, or brown. It rarely contains endometrial fragments, and due to different causes, blood clotting may occur, leading to the formation of blood clots.

5. Different associated symptoms: During menstruation, women often experience mild symptoms such as abdominal pressure, back pain, and breast tenderness. These symptoms are cyclical and disappear after menstruation ends. Uterine bleeding generally does not have clear cyclical symptoms. If caused by inflammation, it may be accompanied by abdominal pain and abnormal vaginal discharge. If caused by a tumor, it may be accompanied by an abdominal mass. The symptoms are not consistently associated with the bleeding.

In daily life, women should pay attention to their bleeding patterns. If irregular bleeding or abnormal bleeding volume occurs, keeping records of the timing, amount, and characteristics of the bleeding can provide useful information for understanding one's health status. Additionally, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and good personal hygiene is important.