Vaginal bleeding is considered abnormal if it is not caused by pelvic disease, medicine, pregnancy, or another disease process. The following terms are used to describe abnormal vaginal bleeding:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Menorrhagia | Prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding at regular intervals |
| Metrorrhagia | Irregular, frequent menstrual bleeding that is not prolonged or excessive |
| Menometrorrhagia | Prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding at irregular intervals |
| Polymenorrhea | Regular menstrual bleeding at intervals of less than 21 days |
| Oligomenorrhea | Menstrual bleeding at intervals of more than 45 days |
| Amenorrhea | No menstrual bleeding for at least 3 usual cycle lengths |
| Intermenstrual | Menstrual bleeding between regular menstrual cycles |
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Last Updated | July 11, 2007 |
Author:Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Last Updated: 07/11/2007
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