Unusual vaginal bleeding—such as bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause—can sometimes be an early warning sign of cervical cancer. Unlike normal menstrual bleeding, these episodes may be irregular, unexpected, or heavier than usual. While other conditions can also cause abnormal bleeding, any persistent, unexplained, or unusual bleeding should prompt a visit to a healthcare professional for evaluation, including a pelvic exam and possibly a Pap smear or other diagnostic tests, to rule out serious causes.