6 Reasons for Postmenopausal Vaginal Bleeding

About 10% of women aged 55 and above report experiencing vaginal bleeding after menopause, or a year or more after their final menstrual period.¹ While the majority of postmenopausal bleeding are not life-threatening, it is key to seek medical advice right away to rule out other potentially serious underlying causes. 

Read on to find out six reasons for uterine bleeding after menopause so that you can make the best decisions about your postmenopausal health.

Pin

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Women taking HRT to lessen symptoms of the menopausal transition may experience vaginal bleeding as its side effect.² The bleeding or spotting is generally light and usually unpredictable, but can get excessive at times, often affecting a woman's confidence and quality of life. 

Atrophic Vaginitis

Atrophic vaginitis, or vaginal atrophy, is the result of changes to the lining of the vagina due to reduced levels of estrogen during postmenopause. The vaginal walls become drier, thinner, and less elastic, which can lead to inflammation. It is one of the most common causes of uterine bleeding after menopause.

Cervical Polyps

Benign cervical polyps are relatively common in postmenopausal women, while precancerous or malignant polyps are very rare. These growths of tissue are found on the lower part of the uterus connecting to the cervix, or the cervical canal, which can cause bleeding after menopause. 

Endometrial Atrophy

A lack of estrogen not only causes the lining of the vagina to thin, but its deficiency also causes the lining of the uterus to become thinner and the vessels in the lining to break down. This, in turn, results in spontaneous uterine bleeding after menopause or spotting.

Endometrial Hyperplasia

This is a condition in which the lining of the uterus becomes too thick, generally because of an accumulated amount of estrogen in the body with too little progesterone to counteract its effects due to HRT. Endometrial hyperplasia is considered a risk factor for endometrial cancer.³

Endometrial Cancer

Around 10% of women with postmenopausal bleeding have endometrial cancer.¹ In almost all of these cancer cases, bleeding is the first sign. If the cancer is revealed and treated early, it is commonly curable. This is why it is important for postmenopausal women to undergo rergular check-ups and report any vaginal bleeding right away.

Recommendations

Postmenopausal bleeding is not normal and should be evaluated by your doctor to rule out potentially life-threatening underlying causes. He or she may also recommend that you lead a healthy lifestyle to allay any further postmenopause symptoms experienced. This includes an optimized diet, wholesome habits, and the smart use of alternative medicine. Learn more about postmenopause treatments so you can have an improved quality of life into your twilight years.