vaginal bleeding, an abnormal condition in which blood is passed from the vagina other than during the menses. It may be caused by abnormalities of the uterus or cervix, an abnormal pregnancy, endocrine abnormalities, abnormalities of one or both ovaries or one or both fallopian tubes, or an abnormality of the vagina. The following terms are commonly used in describing the approximate amount of vaginal bleeding: heavy vaginal bleeding, which is greater than heaviest normal menstrual flow; moderate vaginal bleeding, which is equal to heaviest normal menstrual flow; light vaginal bleeding, which is less than heaviest normal menstrual flow; vaginal staining, a very light flow of blood barely requiring the use of a sanitary napkin or tampon; vaginal spotting, the passage vaginally of a few drops of blood; and bloody show, an episode of light vaginal bleeding as often occurs in early labor, during labor, and, particularly, at the time of full dilation of the cervix at the end of the first stage of labor because of rupture of the cervical capillaries as dilation occurs.
