Abnormal vaginal bleeding in adolescents.

Introduction Many young women experience irregular or heavy vaginal bleeding in the course of their development. In most cases, the abnormal bleeding is due to anovulation and immaturity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian feedback mechanisms. However, abnormal bleeding may be the presenting sign of multiple medical illnesses that require long-term treatment and follow-up, and pediatricians must recognize and exclude other potential causes of bleeding.