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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffNormal vaginal bleeding, or menstruation, occurs every 21 to 35 days when the uterus sheds its lining, marking the start of a new reproductive cycle. Your menstrual period may last for just a few days or several days and be heavy or light, but still be considered normal.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is any vaginal bleeding unrelated to normal menstruation. This type of bleeding may include spotting of small amounts of blood between periods — often seen on toilet tissue after wiping — or heavy periods in which you soak a pad an hour for several hours. Bleeding that lasts for weeks at a time is also considered abnormal.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding can signal gynecologic conditions and other medical problems. If you have gone through the menopausal transition — 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period — vaginal bleeding is a particular cause for concern.
