The Medical Term for Bleeding Between Periods

Clinicians may use abnormal uterine bleeding as a broader term for bleeding that differs from a person's expected menstrual timing, regularity, duration or flow. The label describes the pattern and does not identify its cause.

Spotting describes a small amount of blood that may appear pink, red or brown. Intermenstrual bleeding can be light or more substantial, provided it occurs between expected periods. Bleeding after sex is described separately because its timing guides the assessment.

Possible explanations include hormonal changes, contraception, pregnancy-related causes, infection, endometrial polyps, uterine fibroids and changes affecting the cervix or womb lining. A term in your notes is therefore a starting description, not a diagnosis.

Write down the first and last day of each expected period and every episode between them. Describe the colour and flow, whether protection was needed, and whether bleeding followed sex. Add pelvic pain, fever, discharge, dizziness and relevant contraception or medicines.

Arrange an appointment if the symptom recurs, becomes heavier, appears after sex or begins after menopause. If pregnancy is possible, take a pregnancy test and include the result when seeking advice.

Urgent care is warranted when bleeding rapidly soaks menstrual protection or comes with fainting, pronounced dizziness, breathlessness, severe pelvic pain or shoulder-tip pain. Bleeding alongside a positive pregnancy test, or fever with worsening pelvic pain and abnormal discharge, also needs prompt evaluation.

Ask what pattern the recorded term refers to, which causes fit your history and whether an examination, pregnancy test, infection test, blood test or scan is appropriate. Confirm how long to monitor the symptom and which specific change should bring you back sooner.