The short explanation
Preparing a few details can make your visit much more useful. Note the dates of your bleeding for the last few months, how many days it lasts, how heavy it is, and whether you pass clots. Mention any bleeding between periods or after sex, and any pain. Also bring a list of all medicines and supplements you take, any past reports such as scans or blood tests, and details of past pregnancies, surgeries and health conditions. Note symptoms such as hot flushes, tiredness, breathlessness or weight changes. Writing down your questions helps you remember them during the visit.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Irregular bleeding at 45 is often related to perimenopause, but doctors also check for fibroids, polyps, thyroid problems and changes in the womb lining.
- The doctor may suggest blood tests, an ultrasound and sometimes a sample of the womb lining.
- If you have not had cervical screening recently, ask about it.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell what is causing your bleeding. The doctor will assess you and may suggest tests.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- What could be causing my irregular bleeding?
- Do I need an ultrasound or a sample of the womb lining?
- Should my blood count and thyroid be checked?
- Is my cervical screening up to date?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have very heavy bleeding with fainting, chest pain or breathlessness.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if you are soaking pads every hour or feel very weak.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a gynaecology appointment for irregular bleeding and bring your notes.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Vaginal bleeding between periods MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Cervical screening NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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