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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffAbnormal 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 — any vaginal bleeding may be a particular cause for concern.
Possible causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding include:
- Cervical cancer
- Cervicitis
- Chlamydia
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Endometrial cancer
- Endometrial hyperplasia
- Endometritis
- Fluctuating hormone levels
- Gonorrhea
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding)
- Miscarriage
- Ovarian cancer
- Ovarian cysts
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Perimenopause
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Sexual intercourse
- Stopping birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (withdrawal bleeding)
- Tamoxifen side effect
- Uterine fibroids
- Uterine polyps
- Uterine sarcoma
- Vaginal cancer
- Vaginal or cervical trauma
- Vaginitis
- Von Willebrand disease (and other blood clotting disorders)
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
- Gray SH, et al. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in adolescents. Pediatrics in Review. 2007;28:175.
- Lobo RA. Abnormal uterine bleeding: Ovulatory and anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding, management of acute and chronic excessive bleeding. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208943077-2/0/1524/248.html?tocnode=53759912&fromURL=248.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50040-6_1192. Accessed July 8, 2010.
- Goodman A. Terminology and evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding in premenopausal women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 8, 2010.
- Goodman A. The evaluation and management of uterine bleeding in postmenopausal women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 8, 2010.
- Mohan S, et al. Diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2007;21:891.
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