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Bleeding between periods

Bleeding between periods

Overview

Normal menstrual flow lasts about 5 days and produces a total blood loss of 60 to 250 mL and occurs every 28 days. There are several causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding and a careful exam by a health care provider is frequently the best way to sort out the source of the bleeding.

Review Date 5/22/2025

Updated by: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.