Vaginal or uterine bleeding: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Seek emergency care if you have very heavy bleeding and feel faint, confused, short of breath, or unusually weak.

   Get emergency help for bleeding with:

   • Severe or worsening pelvic or abdominal pain
   • Fainting, marked dizziness, or pale, clammy skin
   • Possible pregnancy with one-sided pain or shoulder-tip pain
   • Sudden heavy bleeding during pregnancy or after giving birth
   • A serious injury to the vagina or pelvis

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Bleeding that soaks through a pad or tampon every hour for more than two hours also needs urgent help, particularly if you have dizziness, chest pain, or breathing difficulty.

   If you are pregnant or could be pregnant, contact a healthcare service promptly about vaginal bleeding.

   The urgency depends on the amount, pregnancy stage, pain, and other symptoms.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Book a routine appointment if bleeding repeatedly occurs between periods or after sex, your periods have become difficult to manage, or bleeding lasts longer than usual.

   Any bleeding after menopause should be assessed promptly, but it is not usually an emergency unless it is heavy or accompanied by severe symptoms.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Vaginal or uterine bleeding. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.