Post-menopausal bleeding

Post-menopausal bleeding is an abnormal bleeding that occurs after menopause, a stage in a woman's life when menstrual periods have permanently ceased for at least 12 months. This condition is considered abnormal because after menopause, a woman should not experience any menstrual bleeding.

Causes

The causes of post-menopausal bleeding can range from non-serious causes such as vaginal atrophy or endometrial atrophy, to more serious conditions such as endometrial cancer. Other possible causes include polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, and uterine fibroids.

Vaginal Atrophy

Vaginal atrophy is a condition in which the walls of the vagina become thin and dry due to a decrease in estrogen levels. This can lead to bleeding, especially after sexual intercourse.

Endometrial Atrophy

Endometrial atrophy is the thinning of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. This condition can also cause bleeding.

Polyps

Polyps are noncancerous growths that can develop in the lining of the uterus or the cervix and can cause bleeding.

Endometrial Hyperplasia

Endometrial hyperplasia is a condition in which the endometrium becomes too thick. This can also lead to bleeding.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus. They can cause bleeding, but this is less common.

Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lining of the uterus. Post-menopausal bleeding can be a symptom of this type of cancer.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of post-menopausal bleeding typically involves a physical examination, a pelvic ultrasound, and an endometrial biopsy. The doctor may also order blood tests to check for other potential causes of bleeding.

Treatment

The treatment for post-menopausal bleeding depends on the underlying cause. This can range from hormonal therapy for conditions like vaginal atrophy, to surgery for conditions like polyps or endometrial cancer.

See Also

• Menopause
• Abnormal bleeding
• Endometrial cancer
• Endometrial hyperplasia
• Uterine fibroids

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