Guideline Summary

Vaginal bleeding is likely to result in a call for emergency assistance in a number of specific circumstances:
- if a normal menstrual period is anticipated and there is excessive bleeding
- if normal or excessive menstrual bleeding is associated with severe abdominal pain
- if excessive vaginal bleeding is associated with therapeutic abortion
- if vaginal bleeding follows gynaecological surgery or colposcopy
- if vaginal bleeding occurs away from a normal period especially if this is excessive
- if there is excessive vaginal bleeding associated with gynaecological cancers, either before diagnosis or after treatment (i.e. cervix, uterus or vagina).

This guideline provides guidance for paramedics¹ for the assessment and management of vaginal bleeding including bleeding related to therapeutic abortion i.e. pregnancies being terminated.

¹The principles will be applicable to all pre-hospital clinicians.

Current guideline - issued 2006