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Vaginal Bleeding
Summary
Menstruation, or period, is a woman’s monthly bleeding.Abnormal vaginal bleeding is different from normal menstrual periods. It could be bleeding that is between periods, is very heavy, or lasts much longer than usual. It also includes bleeding that happens before puberty or after menopause. Causes can include:
- Uterine fibroids or polyps
- Hormone problems
- Hormone pills, such as birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy (menopausal hormone therapy)
- Cancer of the cervix, ovaries, uterus or vagina
- Thyroid problems
Bleeding during pregnancy can have several different causes. It is not always serious, but to be safe you should contact your health care provider right away.
Pelvic exams, blood tests, imaging tests, and other procedures can help your health care provider diagnose the problem. Treatment depends on the cause. Treatments may include medicines, hormones, and surgery.
Patient Handouts
- Abnormal uterine bleeding Medical Encyclopedia
- D and C Medical Encyclopedia
- Vaginal bleeding between periods Medical Encyclopedia
- Vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy Medical Encyclopedia
- Vaginal bleeding in late pregnancy Medical Encyclopedia
- Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy Medical Encyclopedia
- Vaginal or uterine bleeding Medical Encyclopedia
Start Here
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding American Academy of Family Physicians
- Vaginal Bleeding Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Teenagers
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
Specifics
- Bleeding and Spotting from the Vagina during Pregnancy March of Dimes Foundation
- Bleeding during Pregnancy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Uterine Hemorrhage National Institutes of Health
Diagnosis and Tests
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) National Library of Medicine
- Dilation and curettage (D&C) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Pelvis Ultrasound Radiological Society of North America
- Sonohysterography Radiological Society of North America
- When You Visit Your Doctor: Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding Harvard Medical School
Encyclopedia
- D and C – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
- Endometrial biopsy Medical Encyclopedia
- Pelvic ultrasound – abdominal Medical Encyclopedia
- Transvaginal ultrasound Medical Encyclopedia