Menstruation and Bleeding
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Related terms · Intermenstrual bleeding · Non-menstrual bleeding
Abnormal uterine bleeding is a general term for bleeding that occurs outside of the expected menstrual period.
Reviewed by Korean Medicine Doctor Choi Yeon-seung · Last updated 2026-08-26
Meaning and Distinctions
What is abnormal uterine bleeding?
Record how the timing, amount, and duration differ from your usual cycle. Abnormal uterine bleedingis a common term used to describe bleeding that occurs outside of the expected menstrual period.
- Easily confused terms
- heavy menstrual flow MenorrhagiaUnlike heavy menstrual bleeding, the key for abnormal uterine bleeding is whether the bleeding occurred outside of your usual cycle.
- Why this is checked during medical evaluation
- We first check how the cycle, amount of bleeding, and pain have changed compared to before, and then determine which parts to address through necessary tests and Korean herbal medicine treatment.
- What to record for your visit
- Please write down the following information with dates and show it during your consultation: bleeding dates, amount, blood clots, and relationship to sexual intercourse over the last 3 months; results of pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, cervical screenings, and blood tests; and a complete list of contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), anticoagulants, Korean herbal medicine, and supplements.
Women's Health Glossary
Compare similar terms here
You can check a brief definition before proceeding to a detailed explanation.Abnormal Uterine BleedingAbnormal uterine bleeding is a broad term for bleeding where the timing, amount, or duration of menstruation differs from your usual pattern.Menstrual CycleThe menstrual cycle is the period from the first day of one menstruation to the day before the next menstruation begins.Implantation BleedingImplantation bleeding is a common term for the small amount of bleeding that may occur in early pregnancy, approximately 2 weeks after ovulation. Implantation or pregnancy status cannot be confirmed by color and amount alone.
Read More
Check guides where this term is used
- Condition GuideAbnormal Uterine BleedingAbnormal uterine bleeding is bleeding that occurs at a different time, amount, or duration than the expected period. This includes spotting between periods or after sexual intercourse, bleeding that lasts more than 7 days, cases where the cycle changes significantly, and postmenopausal bleeding. If there is a possibility of pregnancy and bleeding occurs with pelvic pain, or if menstrual products are soaked through every hour for more than 2 hours accompanied by dizziness, difficulty breathing, or chest pain, an emergency evaluation takes priority over a consultation regarding the cause.→
- Medical Evaluation GuideWhen non-menstrual bleeding occurs, what should be checked first alongside the possibility of pregnancy?Rather than whether the blood is brown, the next course of action is determined by the possibility of pregnancy, one-sided pelvic pain, shoulder pain, dizziness, new bleeding after menopause, or repeated bleeding after sexual intercourse. If there is a possibility of pregnancy combined with one-sided pain, shoulder pain, or dizziness, or if bleeding continues to the point where you must change menstrual products every hour, do not wait for your next appointment and seek a medical evaluation immediately. Bleeding after menopause requires a medical evaluation even if the amount is small; if bleeding after intercourse repeats, please check with the timing of the bleeding and your most recent cervical screening results.→
- Women's Health ColumnMenstrual calendar: Besides the start date, what else should I track to help with treatment?→
Evidence and Update Information
The following materials were referenced to verify the basis and scope of the definitions and treatment explanations.
- ACOG: Heavy Menstrual BleedingReference material on the definition of abnormal uterine bleeding and items to be checked during consultation