Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

“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 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 Health After Menopause: Postmenopausal Bleeding the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

Postmenopausal Bleeding
“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:

“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 About Menopause the JH also note:

“When To See Your Doctor

  • 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:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

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  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. Endometrial Cancer
  8. Endometrial Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging – Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer
  9. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month [September, United States]
    Vaginal Bleeding and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
  10. Hear From the Women Who’ve Experienced Abnormal Bleeding
  11. Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
  12. Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  13. Postmenopausal Bleeding
  14. Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer
  15. Tips for Tracking Bleeding
  16. Uterine Bleeding: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  17. Uterine Endometrial Cancer
  18. Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  19. Vaginal Bleeding
  20. Vaginal Bleeding
  21. Vaginal Bleeding Between Periods
  22. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Causes
  23. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – When To See A Doctor
  24. Vaginal or Uterine Bleeding
  25. Video Series-2017: Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  26. Video Series-2022: Irregular Menstrual Cycles What’s Normal and What’s Abnormal?
  27. Vulvovaginal Health
  28. Webinars: Previous – Managing Menopausal Bleeding
  29. What Causes Bleeding Between Periods?
  30. Women’s Wellness: Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Health Problems
  31. 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. Health After Menopause: Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 25 March 2021 | Last Reviewed 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause Accessed: 02 April 2022
  2. Vaginal Bleeding: Summary. Page Last Updated on: 22 July 2021. Topic Last Reviewed: 01 July 2016. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vaginalbleeding.html Accessed: 02 April 2022
  3. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Definition. 15 June 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-bleeding/basics/definition/SYM-20050756 Accessed: 02 April 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: 02 April 2022
  5. Health After Menopause: Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 25 March 2021 | Last Reviewed 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause Accessed: 02 April 2022
  6. Vagina: What’s Normal, 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: 02 April 2022
  7. About Menopause: When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 28 February 2022 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 02 April 2022

Topic Last Updated: 23 May 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 02 April 2022
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