MedicineNet

home > women's health center > women's health a-z list > vaginal bleeding index > vaginal bleeding article

Vaginal Bleeding (cont.)

Medical Author:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

What diagnostic tests are used to evaluate abnormal vaginal bleeding?

Comment on this
  • A woman who has irregular menstrual periods requires a physical examination with a special emphasis on the thyroid, breast, and pelvic area. During the pelvic examination, the physician attempts to detect cervical polyps or any unusual masses in the uterus or ovaries.
  • A Pap smear is also done to rule out cervical cancer. While the Pap smear is being obtained, samples might be taken from the cervix to test for the presence of infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
  • A pregnancy test is routine if the woman is premenopausal.
  • A blood count may be done to rule out a low blood count (anemia) resulting from excessive blood loss.
  • If something in the patient's (or her family's) medical background or physical examination raises a doctor's suspicion, tests to rule out certain blood clotting disorders may be done.
  • Sometimes, a blood sample will be tested to evaluate thyroid function, liver function, or kidney function abnormalities.
  • A blood test for progesterone levels or daily body temperature charting may be recommended to verify that the woman ovulates.
  • If the doctor suspects that the ovaries are failing, such as with menopause, blood levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) may be tested.
  • Additional blood hormone tests are done if the doctor suspects polycystic ovary, or if excessive hair growth is present.
  • A pelvic ultrasound is often performed based on the woman's medical history and pelvic examination.
  • If a woman does not adequately respond to medical treatment, if she is over age 40, or if she has persistent vaginal bleeding between her periods, a sampling of the lining of her uterus (termed endometrial sampling or endometrial biopsy) is often analyzed. Endometrial sampling helps to rule out cancer or precancer in the uterus, or it can confirm a suspicion that a woman is not ovulating.
Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 7/20/2012

Patient Comments

Viewers share their comments

Vaginal Bleeding - Causes Question: If you are ovulating regularly, what is the cause of your abnormal vaginal bleeding?
Vaginal Bleeding - After Menopause Question: What were the reasons for your post-menopausal vaginal bleeding?
Vaginal Bleeding - Intercourse Question: Have you experienced vaginal bleeding after intercourse? What was the diagnosis?
Vaginal Bleeding - Tests Question: Discuss the tests you received to evaluate your abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Vaginal Bleeding - Treatment Question: What type of treatment did you receive for irregular vaginal bleeding?
Print
MedicineNet Doctors

Suggested Reading on Vaginal Bleeding by Our Doctors

  • Related Diseases & Conditions

    36 articles
    • Yeast Infection
      • Yeast vaginitis is a yeast infection of the vagina. Symptoms include itching, burning, soreness, pain during intercourse and urination, and vaginal discharge.
    • Blood Clots
      • Blood clots can occur in the venous and arterial vascular system. Blood clots can form in the heart, legs, arteries, veins, bladder, urinary tract and
    • Hypothyroidism
      • Hypothyroidism is any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. Normally, the rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the
    • Endometriosis
      • Endometriosis is the growth of cells similar to those that form the inside of the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus. Endometriosis implants
    • Anemia
      • Anemia is the condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. The oxygen-carrying
    • Pregnancy (Week By Week, Trimesters)
      • There are many symptoms involved in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. The first early pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others
    • Ectopic Pregnancy
      • An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy located outside the inner lining of the uterus. The majority of ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tube. Symptoms
    • Uterine Cancer
      • Though uterine cancer's cause is unknown, there are many factors that will put a woman at risk, including: over age 50, endometrial hyperplasia, using
    • Lupus
      • Systemic lupus erythematosus is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation of body tissues caused by autoimmune disease. Lupus can cause disease
    • Menopause
      • Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop, also called the "change of life." Menopause symptoms include hot flashes,
    • Hyperthyroidism
      • Hyperthyroidism is an excess of thyroid hormone resulting from an overactive thyroid gland. Symptoms can include increased heart rate, weight loss, depression,
    • Uterine Fibroids (Benign Tumors of the Uterus)
      • Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate in the uterus and are usually round or semi-round in shape. The most common symptom of a uterine fibroid
    • Internal Bleeding
      • Internal bleeding occurs when an artery or vein is damaged and blood to escapes the circulatory system and collects inside the body. Internal bleeding
    • Chlamydia In Women
      • Chlamydia, a type of bacteria that causes an infection, is spread through sexual contact. Most of the time, women with chlamydia have no symptoms. Antibiotics
    • Insulin Resistance
      • Insulin resistance is the diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into muscle
    • Cervical Cancer
      • Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous
    • Miscarriage
      • A miscarriage is any pregnancy that ends spontaneously before the fetus can survive. Miscarriage usually occurs before the 13th week of pregnancy. The
    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
      • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is the most common and serious complication of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), aside from AIDS, among women. The
    • Gonorrhea In Women
      • Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection transmitted during sexual contact. In women, symptoms include a yellow vaginal discharge, burning or frequent urination,
    • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
      • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also known by the name Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a hormonal problem that causes women to have a variety of symptoms
    • Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Women (STDs)
      • Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal),
    • Anorexia
      • Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by markedly reduced appetite or total aversion to food. Anorexia is a serious psychological disorder and is
    • Indigestion (Dyspepsia, Upset Stomach)
      • Dyspepsia (indigestion) is a functional disease in which the gastrointestinal organs, primarily the stomach and first part of the small intestine, function
    • Graves' Disease
      • Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. Some of the symptoms of Graves' disease include hand tremors, rapid heartbeat, trouble
    • Prolactinoma (Pituitary Tumor)
      • Prolactinoma is an adenoma (benign tumor) of the pituitary gland. Causes of many prolactinomas are unknown. Symptoms in women include changes in menstruation
    • Amenorrhea
      • Amenorrhea is a condition in which there is an absense of menstrual periods in a woman. There are two types of amenorrhea, 1) primary and 2) secondary.
    • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
      • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is considered to be a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMDD has also been referred to as late luteal
    • Toxic Shock Syndrome
      • Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a condition caused by toxins formed by Staphylococcus aureus or group A Streptococcus bacteria. Signs and symptoms include
    • Women's Health
      • Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur.
    • See All Related Diseases & Conditions »

  • Medications

    4 articles

  • Procedures & Tests

    13 articles

  • Pictures, Images & Quizzes

    4 articles

  • Doctor's & Expert's Views

    10 articles

  • Health News

    8 articles

  • Health Features

    1 articles


Women's Health Newsletter

Sign up to stay informed with the latest women's health-related updates on MedicineNet delivered to your inbox FREE!

  BONUS! Get a Free PDF Women's Health Report when you sign up!

Sign up for more topics!


Symptom Checker: Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain

From WebMD

Women's Conditions Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Get the latest health and medical information delivered direct to your inbox FREE!