Vaginal bleeding

Vaginal bleeding is one of the most common gynecologic symptoms for which the patient will come to the Emergency Department. It is usually associated with psychologic distress and can be frightening to the patient. Vaginal bleeding can be the first sign of life-threatening medical disorders such as carcinoma, bleeding disorders, and trophoblastic disease. As with bleeding from other sources, it is not uncommon for a patient with significant vaginal bleeding to lose large amounts of circulating volume. These facts make it essential that the emergency physician deal quickly and effectively with this symptom.