In this Article

• What is normal vaginal bleeding?
• What is abnormal vaginal bleeding?
• What conditions cause abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly?
• What conditions cause abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are not ovulating regularly or vaginal bleeding after menopause?
• What causes abnormal vaginal bleeding during or after sexual intercourse?
• What causes abnormal vaginal bleeding during pregnancy?
• What tests are used to evaluate abnormal vaginal bleeding?
• How is irregular or abnormal vaginal bleeding treated?
• Vaginal Bleeding At A Glance
• Vaginal Bleeding Glossary
• Vaginal Bleeding Index

Vaginal Bleeding At A Glance

• Normal vaginal bleeding is the periodic blood that flows as a discharge from the woman's uterus.
  
  
• Normal vaginal bleeding is also called menorrhea. The process by which menorrhea occurs is called menstruation.
  
  
• In order to determine whether bleeding is abnormal, and its cause, the doctor must answer 3 questions: Is the woman pregnant? What is the pattern of the bleeding? Is she ovulating?
  
  
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly most commonly involves excessive, frequent, irregular, or decreased bleeding.
  
  
• There are many causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding that are associated with irregular ovulation.
  
  
• A woman who has irregular menstrual periods requires a physical examination with a special emphasis on the thyroid, breast, and pelvic area.
  
  
• Treatment for irregular vaginal bleeding depends on the underlying cause. After the cause is determined, the doctor decides if treatment is actually necessary.

Previous contributing medical author: Carolyn Janet Crandall, MD, MS, FACP

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