Vaginal bleeding refers to the loss of blood from the vagina.
It can occur as part of the normal menstrual cycle (commonly called a period) or outside of it, in which case it is considered abnormal and may indicate an underlying health issue.
Common types of vaginal bleeding include:
Menstrual bleeding: Regular bleeding during a woman's menstrual cycle, typically occurring every 21–35 days and lasting about 2–7 days.
Intermenstrual bleeding: Bleeding between regular menstrual periods.
Postmenopausal bleeding: Vaginal bleeding that occurs after a woman has gone through menopause (no periods for 12 consecutive months).
Postcoital bleeding: Bleeding after sexual intercourse.
Implantation bleeding: Light bleeding or spotting that may occur early in pregnancy when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining.