Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding: Check Your Symptoms

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Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Yes

Do you think you might be pregnant?

Yes

Do you have severe vaginal bleeding?

Yes

Do you think vaginal bleeding may be caused by sexual abuse?

Yes

Do you have new lower abdominal pain with unexpected vaginal bleeding?

Yes

Do you have abnormal vaginal bleeding and a fever?

Yes

Do you have vaginal bleeding after intercourse or douching?

Yes

Are you using a hormonal birth control method, and your periods are different than what your doctor told you to expect?

Yes

Have you had abnormal vaginal bleeding after a hysterectomy, during perimenopause, or after menopause?

Yes

Has vaginal bleeding started before age 10?

Yes

Do you think that your vaginal bleeding is caused by a medicine?

Yes

Have you had unexpected vaginal bleeding while taking hormone replacement therapy?

Yes

Do you have minimal to moderate vaginal bleeding?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Abdominal pain: Go to the topic Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger or Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older.
• Menstrual cramps: Go to the topic Menstrual Cramps.
• Two or more missed periods: Go to the topic Missed or Irregular Periods.
• Bleeding from a cut or scrape that you can see: Go to the topic Cuts or Scrapes.
• Sexual abuse or rape: Go to the topic Sexual Abuse or Rape.
• Vaginal problems: Go to the topic Vaginal Problems.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Last updated:	July 11, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer