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What to do if…
you have sudden pelvic pain and abnormal vaginal bleeding

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

If the pain is severe or getting worse, you feel faint, dizzy or confused, you have shoulder-tip pain, difficulty breathing, or heavy vaginal bleeding, call 999 or go to A&E now. This is especially urgent if you are pregnant or might be pregnant.

Do not do these things

  • Do not “wait and see” if pregnancy is possible, the pain is severe, or you feel faint, sweaty, very unwell, or confused.
  • Do not drive yourself if you feel dizzy, faint, weak, or are bleeding heavily; ask someone to take you or call 999.
  • Do not use tampons or menstrual cups while you are arranging urgent assessment; use pads so bleeding is easier to monitor.
  • Avoid aspirin for pain or bleeding unless a clinician has told you to take it. If you need pain relief while arranging care, paracetamol is generally the safer default unless you have been told not to take it.
  • Do not have sex until you have been assessed, especially if pain, bleeding, fever, unusual discharge, or possible infection is present.

What to do now

  1. Check for “call 999 or go to A&E now” signs. Go urgently if you have pelvic pain and any of these:

    • Pain that is severe, getting worse, or hurts when you move or touch the area
    • Feeling faint, dizzy or lightheaded, or you pass out
    • Pain in the tip of your shoulder
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Heavy bleeding from your vagina
    • Suddenly feeling confused

  2. If there is any chance you could be pregnant, take a pregnancy test now if one is available. Do not delay emergency care to get a test if you have any of the signs in step 1. If the test is positive, you are unsure, or your period is late and you have pelvic pain with unusual bleeding, seek urgent same-day medical advice.

  3. Use a pad and note what is happening. This helps clinicians triage you:

    • When the bleeding started
    • Whether it is spotting, light, moderate, or heavy
    • The colour, such as pink, brown, or bright red
    • Whether there are clots or tissue
    • How often you are changing pads
    • Where the pain is, whether it is one-sided or central, how suddenly it started, and whether it is getting worse

  4. Contact the right urgent service for today. If you are not in the “999 or A&E now” group but you have pelvic pain with abnormal vaginal bleeding, call 111 where available, use 111 online in England, contact your GP urgently, or use your local urgent-care route for same-day advice. If you are pregnant and under maternity care, contact your maternity triage or maternity unit; if you cannot reach them quickly, use 111 or A&E depending on severity.

  5. If infection is possible, say so plainly when you seek care. Mention fever or chills, new bad-smelling discharge, pain during sex, new bleeding after sex, pain when peeing, or recent STI risk.

  6. Make it easier to be seen quickly. Bring a list of medicines, including contraception, blood thinners and painkillers; bring allergy details; and mention recent pregnancy, miscarriage, termination, birth, pelvic procedure, or coil insertion. Do not delay care because you have eaten or drunk; if you go to A&E, staff will tell you what to do while you wait.

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out the cause right now. Several causes can look similar early on, and some need tests or imaging.
  • You do not need to decide today about longer-term contraception changes, fertility plans, or switching doctors.
  • You do not need to push through work, study, caring duties, or social plans before getting safely assessed.

Important reassurance

Sudden pelvic pain with unexpected bleeding can feel frightening and disorientating. Seeking urgent help is a reasonable safety-first choice, especially if pregnancy is possible or you feel faint, weak, or very unwell.

Scope note

This guide covers first steps only: getting to the right level of urgent care, reducing immediate risk, and helping you explain the situation clearly. Later decisions about tests, treatment, contraception, pregnancy care, or follow-up may need specialist medical help.

Important note

This is general information, not a diagnosis, medical advice, or professional advice. If symptoms are worsening, you feel faint, you might be pregnant, or bleeding is heavy, seek emergency care immediately.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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