Which term describes intermenstrual bleeding or spotting?

• A. Dysmenorrhea
• B. Mittelschmerz
• C. Menorrhagia
• D. Metrorrhagia

Answer: (D)

Intermenstrual bleeding or spotting is described as metrorrhagia. The root metr- refers to the uterus, and -rrhagia means bleeding, so the term denotes bleeding that occurs at irregular intervals outside the expected menses. This distinguishes it from dysmenorrhea, which is painful cramps that accompany or occur with menses; mittelschmerz, which is mid-cycle ovulatory pain; and menorrhagia, which is heavy or prolonged bleeding during the menstrual period. Metrorrhagia can arise from various causes, including hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy-related bleeding, uterine polyps or fibroids, infections, or other gynecologic conditions, and it often prompts further evaluation to determine the underlying cause.