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:

“Unusual vaginal bleeding is any vaginal blood that is different from your period. This might include small amounts of blood, also called spotting, between your periods. You might notice this on toilet tissue when you wipe. Or it could include a very heavy period. You know you have a very heavy period if blood is soaking through one or more tampons or pads every hour for more than four hours”.2

When

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

In FAQs: 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 What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and 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”.4

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 Typical, What’s Not – What Are Symptoms of Vaginal Issues? the Mayo Clinic explain:

“Talk with a member of your health care team if you Have:

  • A change in the color, odor or amount of vaginal discharge
  • Changes in vaginal skin color or itching
  • Vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex or after menopause
  • A mass or bulge in the vagina
  • Pain during sex or trouble having sex
  • Problems putting in a tampon”.5

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”.6

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 A-Z 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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Links

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New or Updated

  1. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Peri- and Postmenopausal Women
  2. About the Menstrual Cycle
  3. Bleeding After Menopause Could Be A Problem. Here’s What To Know
  4. Bleeding After Menopause: A Concern?
  5. Brown Discharge: 4 Causes and What It Means
  6. Cervical Cancer
  7. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  8. Endometrial Cancer
  9. Endometrial Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging – Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer
  10. FAQs: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  11. FAQs: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  12. FAQs: Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
  13. FAQs: Vulvovaginal Health
  14. Foundationforwomenscancer.org [Foundation for Women’s Cancers, United States]
  15. Gynecologic Cancers
  16. Gynecologic Cancers: Symptoms of Gynecologic Cancers
  17. Gynecological Cancers
  18. Heavy Bleeding
  19. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Heavy Periods
  20. Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  21. Periods
  22. Postmenopausal Bleeding
  23. Postmenopausal Bleeding
  24. Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer
  25. The Most Common Warning Sign of Uterine Cancer
  26. Tips for Tracking Your Bleeding
  27. Uterine Bleeding: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  28. Uterine Cancer Awareness
    Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
  29. Uterine/Endometrial Cancer/GTD
  30. Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not
  31. Vaginal Bleeding
  32. Vaginal Bleeding Between Periods
  33. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Causes
  34. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – When To See A Doctor
  35. Vaginal or Uterine Bleeding
  36. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Vulvar Diseases, Overview for Aging Women
  37. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Abnormal Bleeding
  38. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
  39. What Causes Bleeding Between Periods?
  40. World GO Day [World Gynecologic Oncology Day, 20 September 2024]
    Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
  41. You Need To Know [+ Video: Bleeding After the Menopause – An Important Message You Need To Know]
  42. Your Menstrual Cycle

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources at:

Sources

  1. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause: Vaginal and Vulval Health – Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 18 December 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause Accessed: 24 February 2025
  2. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Definition. 02 May 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-bleeding/basics/definition/SYM-20050756 Accessed: 24 February 2025
  3. FAQs: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding – When Is Bleeding Abnormal? Last Updated: December 2021. Last Reviewed: April 2023. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists https://www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/gynecologic-problems/abnormal-uterine-bleeding Accessed: 24 February 2025
  4. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause: Vaginal and Vulval Health – Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 18 December 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause Accessed: 24 February 2025
  5. Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not – What Are Symptoms of Vaginal Issues? 30 January 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/vagina/art-20046562 Accessed: 24 February 2025
  6. Postmenopausal Bleeding. Page Last Reviewed: 22 May 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-menopausal-bleeding/ Accessed: 24 February 2025
Topic Last Updated: 24 February 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 24 February 2025

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