Menopause is the natural experience in a woman’s life which is marked by the ending of the menstrual cycle. Menopause bleeding in a woman whose periods have ceased can be a cause for concern. However, there can a number of reasons for such a menopause bleeding. Many women experience irregular bleeding for a period of around 6 months before the menstrual cycle completely stops.
Such irregular bleeding includes the increased interval between periods or shorter intervals wherein the periods are close together. Cycles may also be totally missed for a few months. If the bleeding is excessively heavy then the woman should seek medical attention.
Where the bleeding occurs after cessation of the menstrual cycle it is advisable to seek medical attention. Such a menopause bleeding can be effectively resolved after getting a proper diagnosis along with early treatment. Women are classified as postmenopausal if they do not have a period for more than a year. Even then they may experience occasional bleeding or spotting and this kind of menopause bleeding may be a possibility.
Once a woman is classified as postmenopausal the menopause bleeding may be attributed to other causes as well. The other reasons can be decreased in the estrogen levels because of which the vaginal walls become thinner. As the vaginal walls become thin there is a possibility of bleeding particularly after sexual intercourse. It is advisable to get such a menopause bleeding checked by a gynecologist.
Endometrial cancer also called cancer of the uterus can also be the cause of menopause bleeding. Such vaginal bleeding is the most serious kind of menopause bleeding. Many women who take hormone replacement therapy with the only estrogen are at a risk of experiencing this problem. Women having this problem experience watery and blood-streaked flow. The proportion of blood increases over time and there may be a pain in the pelvic region during intercourse.
The bleeding may also be because of noncancerous growth along the uterine lining. Fibroids and polyps are often common benign growths that develop in the cavity of the uterus. These can cause light spotting, light bleeding or staining. Overgrowths along the lining of the uterus are known as hyperplasia and these may cause postmenopausal bleeding.
While making a diagnosis of menopause bleeding it is advisable to know if the woman has a history of uterine fibroids. A pelvic examination of the vagina, vulva and the cervix along with a uterine biopsy or an ultrasound examination can help determine the cause for the menopause bleeding. If the bleeding is hormone related then the hormone routine can be altered or manipulated.
