Bleeding After Menopause

When you are well into menopause and you haven’t had a period for a long time, and you begin to bleed, you don’t need to be overly concerned. There could be many reasons this. You should get a diagnosis and early treatment in case it’s more serious. This might just solve the problem.
 

Most women going through menopause still have occasional periods or their cycles become irregular. This is entirely common. Some women have heavier periods and some lighter periods. No two women are exactly alike. Even if you are diagnosed as being post menopausal, you might still have periods every now and again.
 

Decreased levels of estrogen cause the vaginal walls to become thinner and therefore are more prone to bleeding, especially after sexual intercourse. A vaginal infection can also be the cause of bleeding as well as growths in the uterus. You should really see a doctor if these symptoms occur for your peace of mind. 
 

Cancer of the uterus is a possible cause for vaginal bleeding. Endometrial cancer is quite high in North America with 40,000 of new cases and 7,500 deaths anticipated for 2007. Hormone replacement therapy is putting more women at risk, which includes estrogen. Progesterone protects the uterus lining, so that is safe. Early detection will really increase the odds of an effective cure. 
 

Endometrial cancer has particular characteristics which usually show up in the form of a watery, blood streaked flow, and as time passes, it the blood flow gets heavier. Often times, there is pain while urinating. Painful intercourse is also a symptom, but can also be a symptom of menopause so you might want to mention this to your physician. 
 

A transvaginal ultrasound will be performed if your doctor suspects you have endometrial cancer. The uterus lining is usually thickened and a biopsy will be done and will be tested by a lab. 

Don’t be alarmed, because there is a good chance there is a very simple explanation for the bleeding but you should always make contact with your doctor and let him know of your symptoms so he can rule out cancer and prescribe something to make you more comfortable. If you are diagnosed with cancer at this time, you can receive early treatment and most likely spare your life.