• When you are not expecting your menstrual period.
• When your menstrual flow is lighter or heavier than what is normal for you.
• At a time in life when it is not expected, such as before age 10, when you are pregnant, or after menopause.

With some types of vaginal bleeding, it may be okay to wait to see whether the bleeding stops on its own. If the bleeding continues or gets worse, a visit to a health professional is needed to determine the reason for the bleeding.

Call a health professional immediately if you:

• Develop sudden, severe pelvic pain.
• Severe vaginal bleeding.
• Sudden faintness or weakness.
• Sudden dizziness with abdominal discomfort that persists for 2 hours or longer.

Call a health professional to schedule an appointment if:

• Your periods have changed from relatively pain-free to painful.
• Pain interferes with your daily activities.
• Your periods have changed from regular to infrequent during the past 3 to 6 months and you are not nearing menopause.
• A change in the length of your menstrual cycle over 3 to 6 menstrual cycles.
• New persistent pain or heaviness in the lower abdomen or pelvis.
• You begin to have pain during intercourse.
• You have painful urination, blood in your urine, or an inability to control the flow of urine.
• You have blood in your stool or a significant, unexplained change in your bowel movements.
• You are not able to become pregnant after trying for 12 months.