Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Vaginal bleeding between periods

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Bleeding between periods; Intermenstrual bleeding; Spotting; Metrorrhagia


Home Care

Immediately contact a health care provider if bleeding is very heavy.

Keep track of the number of pads or tampons used over time so that the amount of bleeding can be determined. Uterine blood loss can be estimated by keeping track of how frequently a pad or tampon is soaked and how often one needs to be changed.

Because aspirin may prolong bleeding, it should be avoided, if possible.


Call your health care provider if

Call your health care provider if:

  • You are pregnant
  • There is any unexplained bleeding between periods
  • There is any bleeding after menopause
  • There is heavy bleeding with periods
  • Abnormal bleeding is accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, dizziness

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The doctor will peform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history. The physical examination with include an emphasis on the pelvic area.

Questions may include:

  • Time pattern
    • When did this bleeding between periods begin?
    • Does it occur consistently, such as every month?
    • When (during the course of a menstrual cycle) does this bleeding begin?
    • How long does the in-between bleeding last?
  • Quality
    • Is the bleeding heavy?
    • How many tampons or pads are required?
    • Do cramps accompany the bleeding?
  • Aggravating factors
    • What makes it worse?
    • Does increased physical activity make the bleeding worse?
    • Does intercourse bring on the bleeding?
    • Is increased stress associated with the bleeding?
  • Relieving factors
    • Does anything relieve or prevent it?
  • Other symptoms
    • What other symptoms do you have?
    • Do you have abdominal pain or cramps?
    • Is there increased bruising elsewhere on the body?
    • Do you have any difficulty, pain, or burning with urination?
    • Is there bloody urine or blood in the stools?
  • Other important information
    • Are you pregnant?
    • Have you had a miscarriage or abortion?
    • Have you had a D and C?
    • Have you ever had an abnormal Pap smear?
    • What medications are you taking? Do you take hormones or supplements?
    • Are you using tampons? What kind? What size?
    • At what age did your periods start?
    • Have you had normal periods without bleeding between in the past?
    • Are you sexually active?
    • Do you have a history of sexually transmitted infection?
    • Are you using birth control? What kind?
    • Have you been injured?
    • Have you received any medical or surgical treatments?

Tests that may be done include:

  • Blood tests to check thyroid and ovarian function
  • Cervical cultures to check for a sexually transmitted infectin
  • Colposcopy and cervical biopsy
  • Endometrial (uterine) biopsy
  • Pap smear
  • Pelvic ultrasound
  • Pregnancy test

Review Date: 03/22/2011
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)