Bleeding after a strike to the lower abdomen

**supergroup7** · 08-12-2007, 06:57 PM

This has happened to me more than once now.

I am not near the right time of the month for bleeding to occur. We were training with pads and kicking. I absorbed a good strong powered strike which was close to the lower abdomen very much on top of the uterus location. Within a couple of hours, I was bleeding. It's not the usual kind of thicker menstrual blood, but more like normal blood. There is no pain, nor cramps.. just bleeding. It started with light bleeding, and is now advanced into moderate after a day. I'm going to apply ice packs on myself, and rest today in an attempt to halt this.

Is this normal for us ladies? Has this happened to anyone else?

Lucy · 08-12-2007, 09:03 PM

Osu Supergroup7,

I have never experienced bleeding of this kind from bag work or kumite and i don't think its common. Ive not heard of any or know any girls that this has happened to? Hmmm? Obviously the impact has caused you to haemorrage internally. Do you have strong stomach muscles? If not then i guess you need to strengthen them? If it was me though personally i would visit your doctor and explain this to them make sure there's not something more concerning causing this. Not sure if this is any help maybe some of the other ladies here have a good opinion.

Osu

**supergroup7** · 08-12-2007, 10:37 PM

Hi Lucy,

Do I have strong stomach muscles? Well... compared to what? I've been training in Kyokushin Karate for close to 4 years now. I can confidently do 50 inclined sit ups without distress. Probably more.. I'm sure that there are many Martial artists out there with stronger abs, but compared to those my age, I'd have to say that I'm "on par".

Yes.. I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow ( if possible) but summertime means less access to physicians. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this kind of "issue". I'm thinking about how one when one receives a bruise on the skin the blood vessels break, and bleed internally this creates that dark purple/red/blue color. IF a woman were to receive a deep impact "bruise" in the uterus, would it be possible that the many blood vessels there would break open, and could bleed out? Especially if it is an older, more "used" uterus such as mine?

How many women over the age of 40 are training in a full contact karate such as Kyokushin?
Another thing.. How many women would not feel embarrassed to speak out and admit that they are bleeding from the uterus? I'm guessing that it is a rare thing to have a female student approach a male Sensei to tell him that she is starting her period. ( or perhaps that is just something that happens around me.)

seienchin · 08-12-2007, 11:13 PM

Osu Supergroup 7.
This defintely doesn't sound normal, but for reasons I'll set out below, it may not be caused by the karate. I have only ever heard of one other episode of post-kumite bleeding in a woman, and that was after she won our national tournament. As far as I know it only happened to her once.

I'd make a couple of points:
1. Are you absolutely certain that you aren't pregnant- (no need for a public answer - it would just be the commonest reason for what you are describing).
2. Normally, the uterus is so tucked away that it can't be felt through the tummy, much less hit - doctors have to do pelvic exams to feel the uterus. However, after 7 pregnancies, you might have a bulky uterus, so ummm- medical opinion needed.
2. Unless this is happening consistently after a blow to the area above your pubic bone, it might be just a co-incidence that it is happening sometimes after kumite. The fact that it is going on for some days suggests to me that i isn't post-kumite related, but some other process.
4. I note from your profile that you are 42 yo - it'd be early, but sometimes menstrual cycles go berko in the peri-menopause, and it could be simple as that.

I agree with Aunty - off to the doctor. and make sure they don't just oh "oh, it's definitely the karate" - because if it was so clear-cut, between Aunty and me we would have seen this before.

Let us know! (maybe by pm if it's too personal)

**ksan** · 08-12-2007, 11:26 PM

I strongly advise you go to a docter.

Please keep us posted with news

Osu

BrazilianKick1 · 08-13-2007, 02:22 AM

Osu
I strongly reccomend seeing a doctor as soon as possible!

**nzproud** · 08-13-2007, 02:40 AM

Yer its best to see a doctor supa san.

**supergroup7** · 08-13-2007, 03:47 AM

Yes, yes, everyone.. I am going to the doctors tomorrow. I will do so. Promise! I'll be sure to find out what I can, and post it.

Seienchin, I guess I'm just one of those open individuals. I'm not worried about discussing this publically, in fact, I support this because there are some people who might have the same problem as me, but is too shy to talk about it. Perhaps I can help them through my struggles to understand what is going on.

1) I am not pregnant.. nope. That's not it.

2) Worn out uterus from 8 pregnancies ( Yep.. lost my first kid) Gee.. that's a line of thought that I was going into myself. Maybe Fibroids?? Would they cause bleeding after impact?

3) This is the second time that bleeding followed a sharp strike in the lower abdomen over my pubic bone. The first time I noted the coincidence of it, but placed my concern in the background. This time I am taking it seriously.

4) Could it be peri-menopause? breakthrough bleeding? Then it should be happening randomly right?

Seienchin.. not to hit the panic button, but when one starts seeing blood clots, they have to take things seriously, right? I haven't seen blood clots coming out of myself since after the birth of my kids.

I have no pain, no cramping, no swelling, no discomfort.. what the heck is this? If it 's just a normal part of being an older woman who gets kicked in the abdomen frequently, then I'll live with it.

seienchin · 08-13-2007, 11:25 AM

Hi Supergroup7
I was thinking maybe fibroids...If you have a couple of big ones that are spanning across the uterine wall and pushing into the endometrium, then I can envisage a situation where a blow to one on the outside could sort of initiate a bit of a ricochet that might result in bleeding. I've never seen it or heard of it, but I can see that it could be a plausible explanation.

You mention that you had clotting -this sounds more like fibroids again, but other things are possible, of course.

Just get them to investigate/approach it as they would any other woman in your age group with bleeding. I was just worried that the trauma would give an excuse/reason not to look into it, and that would not be good.

It might just be that your karate has caused you to have symptoms while whatever is going on is still quite early! That would be a win!.

Good luck with it.

**supergroup7** · 08-13-2007, 10:10 PM

Just got back from the doctor:

Here is what happened:

There is nothing wrong with me. I have no internal bleeding, or damage. I have no other issues like fibroids, etc.

The most inner lining of my uterus was knocked loose by the trauma of the kick which caused the first spotting to happen. Then my body automatically started to clean out the system by clearing out that damaged layer. It is similar to a menstrual period, but not exactly the same. I will probably bleed for 3 to 5 days. In another 2 to 3 weeks, my body will do the usual menstrual period like normal.

The doctor recommends that I try to absorb kicks higher up on my abdomen, and to refrain from receiving them near the pubic bone. He says that it's fine for me to continue training, but should I feel any unusual sharp pain starting up down there that I should get checked by a doctor.

**Shokei Marcsui** · 08-13-2007, 10:13 PM

Glad to hear that everything is fine. OSU!

**ksan** · 08-13-2007, 10:42 PM

good to hear it is nothing serious..

Osu

StarKodama · 08-14-2007, 03:49 AM

Actually, the same thing has happened to me a few times. If I get hit in the stomach too many times, sometimes I'll get cramps and a little bit of bleeding like what you described. :/ I'm glad I'm not the only one... but next time it happens, I think I'll go to the doctor. D:

seienchin · 08-14-2007, 03:57 AM

Osu Supergroup7 - glad you are OK. It' is intersting to hear that STarkodama has had the same thing happen - I like the fact that we never stop learning. But Starkodama is right in deciding to get looked at if it happens again- one person's diagnosis may not be another's.

Bloke · 08-14-2007, 08:36 AM

Glad to hear that you are ok.

divanatrix · 08-15-2007, 07:15 PM

Wow. Just read this thread. Very glad to hear you're ok and sorry that happened to you.

Very scary!

sonofkanga · 08-18-2007, 05:15 PM

As a male instructor I make sure all female trainees keep me or another female assistant informed of any physical considerations.I have six female students in the mid thirties and above,none of them have a problem discussing these aspects with me.The younger ones inform my female assistant.

kyokushin4life · 08-18-2007, 10:30 PM

Osu! Glad to hear nothing is serious, supergroup7!!!

Muga-Mushin · 08-19-2007, 12:06 AM

Hi supergroup7,

I have just finished reading through this thread and I am happy to see you have received the 'all-clear' from your doc. It must have been scary though.

It was thoughtful of you to share your experience with the forum, as no doubt it will help others.

OSU!

Aunty Ichigeki · 08-23-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seienchin

I agree with Aunty - off to the doctor. and make sure they don't just oh "oh, it's definitely the karate" - because if it was so clear-cut, between Aunty and me we would have seen this before.

*twilight zone music* Seienchin, how did you know what I was thinking? I hadn't posted yet! LOL! The sad thing was you made me scroll up to see if I had posted and forgotten the whole thread!

Thanks for sharing guys - I'd never heard of this but now we'll all know what to say if a student asks (& they ask black belts some pretty weird things!)

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