Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

“Bleeding from your vagina after menopause is not normal.
If you have any bleeding, spotting or staining
after you reach menopause, talk to your doctor”.1

Umbrella
What may the Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Abnormal Bleeding
  • Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)
  • Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding (AVB)
  • Bleeding After Menopause
  • Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
  • Spotting
  • Postmenopausal Bleeding
  • Uterine Bleeding
  • Vaginal Bleeding

Definition

What is abnormal vaginal bleeding (AVB)?

Dots the definition of AVB may vary. In Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Definition the (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Abnormal vaginal bleeding is any vaginal bleeding unrelated to your period. This type of bleeding may include spotting of small amounts of blood between periods — often seen on toilet tissue after wiping — or extremely heavy periods in which you soak a pad or tampon every one to two hours for two or more hours”.2

When

When is vaginal bleeding considered AVB or abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB)?

In Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: When Is Bleeding Abnormal? the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) explain:

Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

“Bleeding in any of the following situations is considered abnormal uterine bleeding:

  • Bleeding or spotting between periods
  • Bleeding or spotting after sex
  • Heavy bleeding during your period
    • Bleeding that soaks through one or more tampons or pads every hour
    • Bleeding that lasts more than 7 days
  • Menstrual cycles that are longer than 35 days or shorter than 21 days
  • “Irregular” periods in which cycle length varies by more than 7–9 days
  • Not having a period for 3 to 6 months
  • Bleeding after menopause”.3

Postmenopausal Vaginal Bleeding

Is postmenopausal vaginal bleeding normal?

No. In Bleeding After Menopause: A Concern? I thought I was in menopause because I haven’t had a period in three years. But last month, I got my period again. I’m 50 years old. What could be happening? the author explains:

“Bleeding from the vagina after menopause is unusual. Get it checked by a health care provider as soon as you can. Or see a doctor who’s had extra training to find and treat diseases of the female reproductive organs, called a gynecologist”.4

In What Is Menopause? The Menopause Transition: Postmenopause – Vaginal and Vulval Health: Postmenopausal Bleeding the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:


“Bleeding from your vagina after menopause is not normal. If you have any bleeding, spotting or staining after you reach menopause, talk to your doctor”.5

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have AVB?

If you think you have AVB, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not – What Are Signs or Symptoms of Vaginal Problems? the Mayo Clinic explain:

“Consult your health care provider if you notice:

  • A change in the color, odor or amount of vaginal discharge
  • Vaginal redness or itching
  • Vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex or after menopause
  • A mass or bulge in the vagina
  • Pain during intercourse”.6

In Postmenopausal Bleeding the NHS advise:

“See A GP If:

You have postmenopausal bleeding, even if:

  • It’s only happened once
  • There’s only a small amount of blood, spotting, or pink or brown discharge
  • You do not have any other symptoms
  • You’re not sure if it’s blood

Postmenopausal bleeding is not usually serious, but can be a sign of cancer. Cancer is easier to treat if it’s found early”.7

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to the Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

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New or Updated

  1. Abnormal Bleeding
  2. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  3. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Peri- and Postmenopausal Women
  4. Bleeding After Menopause Could Be A Problem. Here’s What To Know
  5. Bleeding After Menopause: A Concern?
  6. Bleeding – Perimenopausal, Postmenopausal and Breakthrough Bleeding on MHT/HRT
  7. Brown Discharge: 4 Causes and What It Means
  8. Endometrial Cancer
  9. Endometrial Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging – Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer
  10. Endometrial/Uterine Cancer
    Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
  11. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month [September, United States]
  12. Gynecologic Cancers: What Are the Symptoms?
  13. Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
  14. Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  15. Postmenopausal Bleeding
  16. Postmenopausal Bleeding
  17. Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer
  18. Tips for Tracking Bleeding
  19. Uterine Bleeding: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  20. Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  21. Vaginal Bleeding
  22. Vaginal Bleeding
  23. Vaginal Bleeding Between Periods
  24. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Causes
  25. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – When To See A Doctor
  26. Vaginal or Uterine Bleeding
  27. Vulvovaginal Health
  28. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
  29. What Causes Bleeding Between Periods?

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources at:

Sources

  1. What Is Menopause? The Menopause Transition: Postmenopause – Vaginal and Vulval Health: Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 11 November 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause Accessed: 04 January 2023
  2. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Definition. 15 June 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-bleeding/basics/definition/SYM-20050756 Accessed: 04 January 2023
  3. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: When Is Bleeding Abnormal? Last Updated: December 2021. Last Reviewed: June 2021. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists https://www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/gynecologic-problems/abnormal-uterine-bleeding Accessed: 04 January 2023
  4. Burnett, T. Bleeding After Menopause: A Concern? I thought I was in menopause because I haven’t had a period in three years. But last month, I got my period again. I’m 50 years old. What could be happening? 07 December 2022 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/expert-answers/bleeding-after-menopause/faq-20058396 Accessed: 04 January 2023
  5. What Is Menopause? The Menopause Transition: Postmenopause – Vaginal and Vulval Health: Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 11 November 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause Accessed: 04 January 2023
  6. Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not – What Are Signs or Symptoms of Vaginal Problems? 06 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/vagina/art-20046562 Accessed: 04 January 2023
  7. Postmenopausal Bleeding. Page Last Reviewed: 14 July 2020. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-menopausal-bleeding/ Accessed: 04 January 2023
Topic Last Updated: 04 January 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 04 January 2023

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