Should I worry about postmenopausal bleeding?

Bleeding after menopause is not normal, so take it seriously. Go directly to your ob-gyn. Polyps also can cause vaginal bleeding. If your ob-gyn discovers these benign (noncancerous) growths in your uterus or on your cervix, you might need surgery to remove them.


Can post menopausal bleeding be harmless?

Postmenopausal bleeding is not usually serious, but can be a sign of cancer. Cancer is easier to treat if it's found early.

What is the most common reason for bleeding after menopause?

In most cases, postmenopausal bleeding is caused by issues such as endometrial atrophy (a thinning of the uterine lining), vaginal atrophy, fibroids, or endometrial polyps. The bleeding could also be a sign of endometrial cancer—a malignancy of the uterine lining, but only in a small number of cases.


When should I worry about menopause bleeding?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

It's normal to have irregular vaginal bleeding in the years leading up to menopause. But if you have bleeding more than a year after your last menstrual period, it's time to see your healthcare provider.

When should I go to the doctor for post menopausal bleeding?

Postmenopausal women taking continuous hormone therapy — a low-dose combination of estrogen and progestin daily — may experience light, irregular bleeding for the first six months. If bleeding persists longer or heavy bleeding begins, see your doctor.


Postmenopausal bleeding: is it normal and what are the main causes? - Online interview



What cancers cause post menopausal bleeding?

Cancer: Postmenopausal bleeding is a common symptom of endometrial cancer, but it also can be caused by cervical and vulvar cancer. Endometrial atrophy: The tissue that lines the uterus can become very thin after menopause. As the lining thins, bleeding may occur.

Is post menopausal bleeding urgent?

Postmenopausal bleeding is an episode of bleeding 12 months or more after the last menstrual period. It occurs in up to 10% of women aged over 55 years. All women with postmenopausal bleeding should be referred urgently. Endometrial cancer is present in around 10% of patients; most bleeding has a benign cause.

What color is postmenopausal bleeding?

Brown spotting after menopause is typically a sign of blood mixing into the discharge. While fresh blood is red, it turns brown or black as it oxidizes and leaves the vagina. The color may be lighter or mixed with other colors if the woman has an infection, such as a yeast infection.


How long is too long for menopause bleeding?

Unless the bleeding is excessive, or a woman it at high risk for uterine cancer, this is generally not of concern. I tell my patients to notify me if they have: Bleeding that requires the use of a pad every hour for over 24 hours. Bleeding that lasts more than 2 weeks.

Can stress cause a menopausal woman to bleed?

Stress is rarely a cause of bleeding after menopause; stress more commonly impacts the normal menstrual cycle. Any spotting or bleeding after menopause warrants further investigation and should be brought to the attention of your gynecologist.

How much bleeding is normal after menopause?

It is not normal to bleed or spot 12 months or more after your last period. Bleeding after menopause is usually a sign of a minor health problem but can sometimes be an early sign of more serious disease.


How do you treat postmenopausal bleeding?

How is postmenopausal bleeding treated?
  1. Estrogen creams: Your doctor may prescribe estrogen cream if your bleeding is due to thinning and atrophy of your vaginal tissues.
  2. Polyp removal: Polyp removal is a surgical procedure.
  3. Progestin: Progestin is a hormone replacement therapy.


Why would an older woman bleed?

In approximately 20% to 30% of cases of postmenopausal vaginal bleeding, the cause may be attributed to endometrial cancer or atypical endometrial hyperplasia. Additional causes include estrogen or progesterone therapy (i.e., hormone replacement therapy [HRT]) and genital atrophy due to low estrogen levels.

What Colour is hormonal bleeding?

During menstruation, the body sheds tissue and blood from the uterus through the vagina. This bloody discharge can vary from bright red to dark brown or black depending on how old it is. Blood that stays in the uterus long enough will react with oxygen (oxidize). Blood that has had time to oxidize appears darker.


Can stress and anxiety cause post menopausal bleeding?

Stress – both physical and mental stress can impact whether or not bleeding after menopause happens just like it can impact a normal menstrual cycle.

What percentage of postmenopausal bleeding is cancerous?

Approximately 9% of postmenopausal women who saw a doctor for bleeding later received a diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Unlike many other cancer types, the rate of endometrial cancer has increased in recent years and is expected to continue rising worldwide over the coming decade.

Can low estrogen cause postmenopausal bleeding?

After menopause, low estrogen levels can cause your vaginal walls to become thin, dry, and inflamed. That often leads to bleeding after sex. Cancer: Bleeding is the most common symptom of endometrial or uterine cancer after menopause. It can also signal vaginal or cervical cancer.


Can stress cause vaginal bleeding?

Stress can lead to spotting between periods, but the hormonal changes that stress causes in your body don't stop there. In fact, stress is also a common cause of late or skipped menstrual periods. Finding healthy ways to manage stress can make a big difference for your overall well-being, menstrual regularity included.

What can cause your period to start again after menopause?

There can be several causes for vaginal bleeding after menopause, including:
  • inflammation and thinning of the lining of the vagina.
  • thinning of the lining of the uterus.
  • thickening of the lining of the uterus, often caused by hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
  • polyps (growths) or other abnormalities in the cervix or uterus.


What does menopause blood look like?

Brown or dark blood is a sign of old blood exiting the body. Women in perimenopause may also see brown spotting or discharge at other times throughout the month. You may also notice changes in discharge texture. Your discharge may be thin and watery, or it may be clumpy and thick.


Can fibroid tumors cause post menopausal bleeding?

Can Fibroids Cause Bleeding After Menopause? You can experience bleeding even after you've gone through menopause if you have fibroids. This symptom is most common in women taking HRTs, because the added hormones allow the fibroid to continue to grow.

What medications can cause postmenopausal bleeding?

Postmenopausal bleeding can also be a side effect of hormone medications, such as tamoxifen, some herbal supplements, and medications that aim to reduce the risk of blood clotting.

Can diet cause postmenopausal bleeding?

Conclusion: Postmenopausal bleeding has many possible causes. The use of dietary supplements containing ingredients with phyto-oestrogenic properties, such as hop and soy, may give rise to proliferation of the endometrium.


Can exercise cause postmenopausal bleeding?

Although bleeding may have been caused by some form of physical activity, vaginal discharge, yeast infection or vaginal itching, it could be a symptom of something more serious, such as hyperplasia, which is an increase in abnormal cells, or cancer.

What are the symptoms of cancerous fibroids?

In addition to symptoms associated with benign uterine fibroids, signs that a fibroid may be cancerous include:
  • Quick fibroid growth that can cause stomach pain.
  • Post-menopausal bleeding.
  • Anemia from heavy bleeding that can result in fatigue.
  • Unusual findings from imaging or blood tests.