“It is important to note that bleeding after menopause is not normal and should be investigated. Postmenopausal bleeding is bleeding that occurs…”.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: Summary the (United States) Medline Plus’ definition is:
“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”.2
In Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Definition the (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:
“Abnormal vaginal bleeding is any vaginal bleeding unrelated to normal menstruation. 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”.3
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:
- Bleeding or spotting between periods
- Bleeding or spotting after sex
- Heavy bleeding during your period
- Menstrual cycles that are longer than 38 days or shorter than 24 days
- “Irregular” periods in which cycle length varies by more than 7–9 days
- Bleeding after menopause”.4
Postmenopausal Bleeding
Is postmenopausal vaginal bleeding normal?
No. In Health After Menopause: Postmenopausal Bleeding the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:
“It is important to note that bleeding after menopause is not normal and should be investigated. Postmenopausal bleeding is bleeding that occurs more than 12 months after your final period (the menopause). It can be bleeding like a period, spotting or staining”.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:
- 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 your vagina
- Pain during intercourse”.6
In About Menopause the JH also note:
- If you are troubled by irregular cycles
- If you are worried about heavy bleeding/bleeding abnormal to you/bleeding between periods and/or after sex
- If you have increased PMS (premenstrual syndrome) symptoms and/or pain
- If you have some of the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes, that interfere with your daily life”.7
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:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
- Bleeding After Menopause: Is It Normal?
- Bleeding – Perimenopausal, Postmenopausal and Breakthrough Bleeding on MHT/HRT
- Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month [September, United States]
- Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
- Postmenopausal Bleeding
- Uterine Bleeding: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
- Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not
- Vaginal Bleeding
- Vaginal Bleeding
- Vaginal Bleeding Between Periods
- Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Causes
- Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – When To See A Doctor
- Video Series-2017 – Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
Video Series-2018
- Video Series-2019
- Video Series-2020
- Vulvovaginal Health
- What Causes Bleeding Between Periods?
- Women’s Wellness: Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Health Problems
- World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2017: Patient Information Leaflet – Changes Before the Change [Perimenopausal Bleeding] [Multiply Languages]
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources at:
Sources
- Health After Menopause: Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 22 October 2020 | Last Reviewed 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause Accessed: 24 December 2020
- Vaginal Bleeding: Summary. Page Last Updated on: 20 May 2020. Topic Last Reviewed: 01 July 2016. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vaginalbleeding.html Accessed: 24 December 2020
- Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Definition. 23 April 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-bleeding/basics/definition/SYM-20050756 Accessed: 24 December 2020
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: When Is Bleeding Abnormal? Published: March 2017. Last Reviewed: January 2020. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists https://www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/gynecologic-problems/abnormal-uterine-bleeding Accessed: 24 December 2020
- Health After Menopause: Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 22 October 2020 | Last Reviewed 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause Accessed: 24 December 2020
- Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not – What Are Signs or Symptoms of Vaginal Problems? 11 February 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/vagina/art-20046562 Accessed: 24 December 2020
- About Menopause: When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 07 December 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 24 December 2020