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 |
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
|
Last Revised
|
June 20, 2011 |
Last Revised:
June 20, 2011