Minimal to moderate vaginal bleeding
When reviewing the following guidelines, take into account how heavy your normal menstrual flow is. Abnormal vaginal bleeding varies depending on what is normal for a particular woman.
- Severe bleeding: You are passing clots of blood and soaking through your usual pads or tampons every hour for 2 or more hours.
- Moderate bleeding: You soak more than 1 pad or tampon in 3 hours.
- Mild bleeding: You soak less than 1 pad or tampon in more than 3 hours.
- Minimal bleeding: You have "spotting" or just a few drops of blood from the vagina.
Vaginal bleeding is considered to be abnormal if it occurs:
- When you are not expecting your menstrual period.
- When your menstrual flow is lighter or heavier than what is normal for you.
- At a time of life when it is not expected, such as:
- Before age 10.
- During pregnancy.
- After menopause.
Many women have bleeding that lasts longer than the usual length of their periods or bleeding between periods. This does not necessarily mean a serious condition is present. Bleeding between periods can have many causes, including:
- Extreme physical or emotional stress.
- Weight loss or weight gain.
- The beginning of menstrual periods (menarche). Periods may be irregular during the first few years of menstruation.
- Perimenopause.
- Use of an intrauterine device (IUD).
- Use of hormonal birth control, including birth control pills, Depo-Provera, and Implanon.
- Midcycle bleeding (ovulation).
- Pelvic or cervical infection.
- Breast-feeding.
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Thyroid disease.
- Sexual abuse.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: July 2, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine | |
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