Menopause, the word for the natural decrease in reproductive hormones a woman experiences in her 40s and 50s, is the point at which a woman no longer has menstrual cycles. Any vaginal bleeding that happens after a year without a menstrual period is referred to postmenopausal bleeding. Postmenopausal bleeding can have some causes, most of which are not serious. On the other hand, endometrial cancer may be present in 10 per cent to 15 per cent of women who suffer bleeding after menopause. Because of this, women must seek medical attention as soon as possible, following even a single episode of postmenopausal bleeding.

Post Menopausal Bleeding: Some Common Causes

– Endometrial atrophy, or uterine lining thinning

– Vaginal atrophy, also known as vaginal lining thinning and inflammation.

– Endometrial hyperplasia, or thickening of the uterine lining, may result from obesity or high estrogen levels brought on by hormone replacement therapy.

– Fibroids, endometritis, uterine polyps and infections of the cervix or uterus.

– Less frequently by endometrial, cervical, or ovarian malignancies.

– Certain medications such as anticoagulants, estrogen, etc.

Post Menopausal Bleeding: Symptoms

– Any tiny drop of blood

– Bleeding that resembles the menstrual cycle in appearance

– Blood clots that go through other haemorrhages

– More flow than a woman would normally expect throughout her menstrual cycle

– Blood is seen during vaginal sex

– Blood on toilet paper after using the lavatory

– Pink discharge from the vagina

– Brown vaginal discharge

In addition to postmenopausal bleeding, some women may also experience, abdominal pain, headache, fever, chills, dizziness and changes in bladder and/or bowel function.

Post Menopausal Bleeding: How it can be diagnosed

To gather data that helps with a diagnosis, the following tests could be utilised:

Hysteroscopy: A long, thin tube with a camera on its end is put into the uterus through the vagina during a hysteroscopy procedure to check for irregular bleeding patterns.

Cervical biopsy: If any lesions or abnormal areas are found on the cervix, a cervical biopsy procedure is conducted to look for indicators of malignancy.

Transvaginal ultrasound: Doctors use transvaginal ultrasound to determine whether the endometrium or uterine lining is thinner or thicker than usual.

Endometrial biopsy: This procedure involves taking a tiny sample of the uterine lining to examine under a microscope for indications of malignancy.