Intermenstrual and post-coital bleeding

Abnormal or unscheduled bleeding from the lower genital tract is common. In some women it can be the first symptom of genital tract malignancy. However in majority of women there is a benign or idiopathic cause. The investigation for the abnormal bleeding is dependent on a number of factors, including age, co-existing medical conditions and cervical smear history. Based on these variables, a gynaecologist will be able to make an assessment of risk of malignancy. The majority of women will have a low risk of malignancy and need not have further investigations. Treatment of abnormal bleeding will depend on the cause, this may be removing the abnormality or hormonal treatment to suppress bleeding. In many women no abnormal cause for the bleeding will be found.