Skip to Content
UW Health SMPH

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

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2013 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.