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A woman's health is intricately linked to her menstrual cycle, which is an important sign of her overall well-being. Throughout puberty and menopause, hormonal changes affect not only fertility but also mood, energy, and long-term health. A normal cycle usually indicates balance, whereas abnormalities may suggest problems such as PCOS, endometriosis, or thyroid disease.
Our bodies do not always work in a perfect clockwork operation and unexpected vaginal bleeding can often confused us. Is it a mere spotting? A normal period? A symptom of something more concerning? Differences between spotting, menstrual bleeding, and intermenstrual bleeding should be understood is crucial for maintaining reproduction health.
Here is a short guide to help you differentiate while you are confused.
Spotting is vaginal bleeding that doesn't happen as part of your regular menstrual period. It commonly manifests as fine droplets or smears of blood on clothing or toilet tissue. The intensity of the blood ranges from deep red (recent blood) to pink (having cervical mucus mixed in it) or brown (older, oxidized blood). Spotting is not very much and can't be seen in a way that needs either a tampon or a pad to absorb.
Spotting is caused by numerous factors, and in the majority of instances, it is nothing to worry about. Some frequent causes are:
Hormonal Birth Control Transitions: New birth control technique, for instance, birth control pills, IUDs containing hormones, or implants, results in temporary spotting as the body adapts.
Ovulation Bleeding: A few individuals get spotting light around the time of ovulation as a result of hormonal changes. It normally happens in the mid-cycle and could be followed by slight cramping.
Cervical Ectropion: A harmless condition when cells from the inside of the cervical canal migrate to the outer cervix, causing the outer cervix to become more sensitive and prone to faint bleeding on coitus or physical activity.
Early Pregnancy (Implantation Bleeding): 15–25% of pregnant women experience light spotting around 10–14 days post-conception, which is confused with an early period.
Spotting is usually harmless, but it's best to consult a doctor if:
There is a time, also known as a period or menstruation, when the uterine lining sheds due to changing hormone levels. It would last for approximately 2-7 days and is heavier initially. The hue and texture of period blood shift during the menstrual cycle:
Red: New active bleeding at the start of a period
Brown or dark red: Older, slower blood in leaving the uterus
Clots: It's normal to have small clots, but bigger clots may be a sign of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)
Menstruation is a part of the reproductive cycle, and it happens around every 21–35 days. When there's no pregnancy after ovulation, hormone levels fall, causing the uterine lining to be shed.
Though periods differ in different people, there are some signs that point towards probable underlying conditions:
If you have any of these, conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, or thyroid disease may be involved, and a medical visit is in order.
Unlike spotting, intermenstrual bleeding is heavier and unexpected between regular periods. It may be from bright red to dark brown and can contain blood clots.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to inflammation and abnormal bleeding.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): A bacterial infection of the reproductive organs and can lead to abnormal bleeding.
Uterine Fibroids or Polyps: Benign growths in the uterus that may cause unexpected bleeding.
Endometrial Hyperplasia or Cancer: In some instances, abnormal bleeding may be a sign of abnormal cell growth in the lining of the uterus.
See a doctor if intermenstrual bleeding is:
Recognizing your body's rhythms can assist you in identifying normal versus abnormal bleeding. Monitoring your menstrual cycle through an app or calendar may flag changes that should be checked with a doctor. If you have any questions regarding abnormal bleeding, visiting your health care provider is the way to go.
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As temperatures fall, a growing number of people are seeking medical advice for sudden, painful rashes and nerve-related discomfort. Superdrug Online Doctor has reported a 50% rise in patients requesting consultations for shingles over recent weeks. Shingles develops when the chickenpox virus, which stays dormant in the body after childhood infection, becomes active again later in life.
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral illness that causes a painful, blistering rash, usually appearing on one side of the body. It occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, becomes active again after lying dormant in the nerves for many years. This reactivation is more likely when the immune system is weakened.
Symptoms often begin with burning, tingling, or itching in a specific area, followed by clusters of fluid-filled blisters that eventually dry out and form scabs. Starting antiviral treatment early can help reduce the severity and length of the infection. A shingles vaccine is also available and is recommended, particularly for people over the age of 50, to lower the risk of developing shingles and to prevent complications such as long-lasting nerve pain, known as postherpetic neuralgia.
The condition is more likely to affect older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Dr Babak Ashrafi, Superdrug’s Online Doctor, explained that many patients are caught off guard by how quickly symptoms appear. “Shingles often begins unexpectedly,” he said. “People may wake up with a burning or tingling sensation, followed by a rash that rapidly becomes more painful. We typically see higher numbers during colder months, when immune defences are under greater pressure.”
Winter-related factors such as stress, poor sleep, and seasonal infections can all take a toll on the immune system. When immunity dips, the virus responsible for shingles has a greater chance of reactivating, increasing the likelihood of flare-ups during colder periods.
According to the NHS, early symptoms of shingles often include a tingling, itching, or painful sensation on one side of the body. Some people may also experience headaches or feel generally unwell before a rash appears. The rash usually develops a few days later and is most commonly seen on the chest or abdomen, although it can occur anywhere on the body.
Superdrug Online Doctor has outlined five situations where people should seek prompt medical advice rather than rely on self-care. These include cases where:
Superdrug Online Doctor provides an online assessment and photo-diagnosis service, allowing clinicians to review symptoms remotely. Where appropriate, patients can be prescribed antiviral medication without needing to wait for a GP appointment.
Dr Ashrafi stressed the importance of acting quickly, adding: “The most important advice is not to wait and see. Starting treatment early can make a significant difference to recovery and long-term outcomes.”
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Doctors are reporting a change in the way the flu is presenting as a new strain spreads across the UK. Hospital admissions linked to the flu rose sharply at the beginning of the year, with an average of 2,924 people a day admitted by January 4. Four hospital trusts have declared critical incidents, citing ongoing and intense pressure on services. These include three trusts in Surrey and one in Kent.
Surrey Heartlands Trust said winter pressures had been made worse by a rise in flu and norovirus cases. NHS national medical director Professor Meghana Pandit said the situation remains difficult, with hospitals seeing another increase in patients admitted with flu and other respiratory infections last week.
She said it is still vital for people to seek medical help when needed and reminded the public that there are many chances to get vaccinated against flu. Health Secretary Wes Streeting also stressed that flu can be dangerous, especially for older adults, young children, and those with existing health problems. He urged everyone who qualifies to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible, calling it the best form of protection.
Doctors say this latest flu strain appears to be causing different symptoms. The virus, known as subclade K, is a variant of the A H3N2 type of influenza.
Dr Mark Loafman told NBC Chicago that many patients are experiencing much higher fevers than usual. He said the fever can last five to seven days, which is longer than people typically expect and is a cause for concern.
In some cases, doctors say the fever does not respond well to common medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Lung specialist Dr Juanita Mora said this strain is linked to very high temperatures, a severe and persistent cough with heavy phlegm, vomiting, diarrhoea, and widespread joint and muscle pain.
Doctors have also noticed a rise in stomach-related symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, often referred to as gastrointestinal or GI issues. Dr Loafman said that, based on what doctors are seeing, adults infected with the subclade K strain seem to be showing more signs of GI illness than usual.
According to the NHS, flu symptoms usually appear suddenly and tend to be much more severe than those of a common cold. While most people start to recover within about a week, the illness can feel particularly harsh while it lasts.
The main symptoms usually begin abruptly and include:
Most people can deal with flu symptoms at home without needing to see a doctor. The NHS advises the following self-care measures:
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People across the UK are being urged to follow basic safety steps as concerns grow over so-called “evolving” bacteria. A few decades ago, antibiotics were routinely prescribed for a wide range of illnesses and minor infections.
Today, many GPs are far more cautious about giving them out, largely because of the steady rise in bacteria that no longer respond to treatment. Figures from the UK Health Security Agency show that close to 400 antibiotic-resistant infections are being recorded every week in England.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), antibiotic-resistant infections develop when bacteria change over time and stop responding to the medicines meant to kill them. As a result, infections that were once easy to treat become much harder, and in some cases impossible, to cure. This can lead to serious illness, longer hospital stays, and a higher risk of death.
While antibiotic resistance can occur naturally, the WHO warns that misuse and overuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals greatly speeds up the process. This allows resistant bacteria, often referred to as “superbugs,” to survive, multiply, and spread more easily.
The biggest risk linked to these “superbugs” is that they are much harder to treat because standard antibiotics no longer work against them. Infections caused by resistant bacteria can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and bloodstream infections, which can be life-threatening if not controlled quickly.
In a post shared on X, the UKHSA said: “Bacteria are evolving against antibiotics, with nearly 400 new resistant infections appearing each week in England.” NHS guidance has also warned that several bacteria have already developed resistance as a result of antibiotic overuse. These include MRSA, Clostridium difficile, and the bacteria linked to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
A major concern is that this growing trend could eventually lead to new strains of bacteria that cannot be treated with any existing antibiotics.
According to UKHSA advice, people can play a role in slowing the spread of resistant bacteria by following a few simple precautions in daily life. These include:
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