What is Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?

Abnormal uterine bleeding is any type of bleeding from the vagina that is not normal. This may mean that you are bleeding at times of the month other than your period, or that your period is unusually heavy. If you are changing a pad or tampon more than once every 1-2 hours, your period is unusually heavy. If your period lasts more than 7 days or fewer than 2 days, this is also abnormal uterine bleeding.

Abnormal uterine bleeding occurs in most women at some point in their lives. It is common in older women whose hormones are fluctuating due to the onset of perimenopause or menopause. Abnormal uterine bleeding is also common in the first year or two of menstruation. Vaginal bleeding in girls before the onset of the menses is abnormal. In postmenopausal women, vaginal bleeding that persists for 12 months after the cessation of the menses is abnormal. Other conditions may also cause abnormal uterine bleeding.

In general, we should avoid speculation about diagnoses...in particular when the diagnoses can be fatal.