Terms used to describe abnormal vaginal bleeding

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:

**Terms for 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