{"id":432,"date":"2016-12-06T13:59:24","date_gmt":"2016-12-06T13:59:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medplux.com\/?p=432"},"modified":"2018-07-28T05:20:45","modified_gmt":"2018-07-28T05:20:45","slug":"postmenopausal-bleeding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medplux.com\/postmenopausal-bleeding\/","title":{"rendered":"Postmenopausal bleeding: Causes, Treatment and Cure"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last updated on July 28th, 2018 at 05:20 am<\/p>

Bleeding after menopause<\/strong>, which is often referred to as postmenopausal bleeding, is vaginal bleeding after cessation of your period for more than 1 year. It is one of the problems of women after menopause.<\/p>\n

Any bleeding in a woman during menopause is significant and you should see your doctor if this happens. This is because 10 percent of women with postmenopausal bleeding might develop\u00a0cancer.<\/p>\n

This article will explain all you need to know about the causes and cure of bleeding after menopause.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>When should i get worried about my postmenopausal bleeding?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Menstruation is the cyclic monthly vaginal bleeding experienced by women of child bearing age. However, it becomes irregular towards menopause (perimenopause) and finally stops\u00a0in menopause. Bleeding after menopause is abnormal, However, there are many benign causes of bleeding in women after menopause. Some can be treated with topical creams while others will require surgery<\/p>\n

In a woman that is not on any hormone replacement therapy (HRT), bleeding after menopause is abnormal. If you experience any bleeding, you should inform your doctor.<\/p>\n

In addition, women on hormone replacement (HRT) that experience bleeding during progesterone free period is normal. However, bleeding during other times during HRT is abnormal<\/p>\n

You should always inform your doctor of any bleeding to rule out any form of cancer.<\/p>\n

<\/span>What happens\u00a0during my clinic visits?<\/span><\/h3>\n

During your visit to your doctor, these\u00a0are some questions you will be asked. It is important to prepare yourself for these questions.<\/p>\n

When is the last time you saw your period?<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is to confirm if your period has actually stopped. It is common for women to experience irregular menstrual cycle towards menopause<\/p>\n

Do you bleed after sex?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The presence of bleeding after sex is likely due to cervical cancer or polyps. Also, some menopausal changes that occur in women will cause bleeding after sex. In women that are in menopause, the normal covering of the vagina is replaced by skin. This can result to bleeding.<\/p>\n

The last time you did a pap smear?<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is important to rule out any form of cervical cancer. If your pap smear has been normal then its most likely not cancer<\/p>\n

Do you feel any mass in your abdomen?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some women may experience swelling of their abdomen. This may be due to presence of large fibroids.<\/p>\n

Do you experience bleeding after menopause with cramps?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bleeding after menopause with cramps is common in women who have endometriosis, uterine fibroid and endometrial carcinoma.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>What causes bleeding after menopause?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Vagina atrophy<\/strong>. This is a common problem after menopause. During menopause, women experience dryness of the vagina due to lack of estrogen. Women in menopause have sub-optimum level of estrogen. This will result to breakdown of the vagina lining and replacement with skin. Vaginal atrophy is the commonest cause of bleeding after menopause and can easily be treated. Some available topical estrogen cream is\u00a0used to treat this benign condition.<\/p>\n

Uterine polyps<\/strong>. These are masses in the wall of the uterus that can posses a stalk and extend into the vagina through the cervix. Uterine polyps cause irregular menstrual bleeding and bleeding after menopause. However, they are\u00a0removed by curettage.<\/p>\n

Endometrial hyperplasia<\/strong>. This is an overgrowth of the cells covering the uterus. It occurs due to high levels of estrogen. Most women with endometrial hyperplasia do not develop cancer. However, a few will\u00a0develop cancer. Endometrial hyperplasia is treated with progesterone therapy or by removal of the uterus<\/p>\n

Endometrial cancer<\/strong>. This is a cause of bleeding after menopause in women. About 10 percent of women with postmenopausal bleeding will develop cancer. Risk factors for cancer include obesity, women that has not delivered before(nulliparous women), late menopause. In addition, women who develop cancer can be cured\u00a0if they present early. Treatment involves removal of the uterus with or without radio or chemotherapy.<\/p>\n

Other causes of postmenopausal bleeding include<\/p>\n