Vaginal Bleeding

Introduction

See your health care provider for any abnormal vaginal bleeding. It is not always necessary to go to a hospital emergency department for this problem. An office visit to a gynecologist (a doctor who specializes in female reproductive organs) is usually sufficient if you are bleeding but do not have any other symptoms.

If you are having abnormal vaginal bleeding with other symptoms, such as lightheadedness, severe abdominal pain  , or fevers  , you should be evaluated as soon as possible. This includes being seen in an emergency department if your regular doctor is unavailable to see you. An ambulance should be called if you pass out from blood loss.

Self-Care at Home

Make sure that your bleeding is coming from the vagina and is not from your rectum or in the urine. You can insert a tampon into your vagina to confirm that the source of your bleeding is coming from the area of your vagina, cervix, and uterus.

If your bleeding is heavy, rest in bed.

Keep track of the number of pads or tampons you use so that you and your health care provider can determine the amount of your bleeding.

Avoid taking aspirin because it may prolong bleeding.

Follow-up

If you begin hormonal treatment, follow up with your health care provider to see how it is working for you.

You want to make sure that another more serious and life-threatening reason is not the cause of your bleeding.

Outlook

If your bleeding is caused by irregularities in your hormones triggering your period, you should expect that your menstrual cycles become more regular in a few months after starting hormonal therapy with birth control pills.