Management of vaginal bleeding presenting to the accident and emergency department

Abstract

The above guidelines, in line with other recently published guidelines, aim to highlight to the A and E department important aspects of managing vaginal bleeding. Awareness of the possibility of ectopic pregnancy in any woman of reproductive age is essential, and every means possible must be used to exclude this diagnosis. The A and E team can play a useful part in the initial management and initiating appropriate follow up in a wide range of conditions which present with vaginal bleeding. Gynaecology is often an area of medicine in which many A and E senior house officers lack confidence, and we hope that this article will help to provide a structured approach to a common problem in the A and E department.