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: 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 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”.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:

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”.4

Postmenopausal Bleeding

Is postmenopausal vaginal bleeding normal?

No. In What Is Menopause? The Menopause Transition: Postmenopause – Vaginal and Vulval Health: Postmenopausal Bleeding the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) 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

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

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.

  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: Is It Normal?
  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. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month [September, United States]
    Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
  11. Gynecologic Cancers: What Are the Symptoms?
  12. Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
  13. Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  14. Postmenopausal Bleeding
  15. Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer
  16. Tips for Tracking Bleeding
  17. Uterine Bleeding: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  18. Uterine Endometrial Cancer
  19. Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  20. Vaginal Bleeding
  21. Vaginal Bleeding
  22. Vaginal Bleeding Between Periods
  23. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Causes
  24. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – When To See A Doctor
  25. Vaginal or Uterine Bleeding
  26. Video Series-2017: Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  27. Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
  28. Video Series-2022: Irregular Menstrual Cycles What’s Normal and What’s Abnormal?
  29. Vulvovaginal Health
  30. Webinars: Previous – Managing Menopausal Bleeding
  31. What Causes Bleeding Between Periods?
  32. Women’s Wellness: Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Health Problems
  33. Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal BleedingWorld 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

  1. What Is Menopause? The Menopause Transition: Postmenopause – Vaginal and Vulval Health: Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 29 September 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: 01 October 2022
  2. Vaginal Bleeding: Summary. Page Last Updated: 01 July 2016. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vaginalbleeding.html Accessed: 01 October 2022
  3. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Definition. 15 June 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-bleeding/basics/definition/SYM-20050756 Accessed: 01 October 2022
  4. 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: 01 October 2022
  5. What Is Menopause? The Menopause Transition: Postmenopause – Vaginal and Vulval Health: Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 29 September 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: 01 October 2022
  6. Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not – What Are Signs or Symptoms of Vaginal Problems? 18 January 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/vagina/art-20046562 Accessed: 01 October 2022
Topic Last Updated: 01 October 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 October 2022

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
/by