Bleeding After Menopause -Is it Serious?
Women who experience bleeding in their vagina after menopause has occurred should consult their physician. The lining in the vagina can become dry and thin and loose some of its elasticity due to a decrease in the estrogen level that occurs after menopause and this change can sometimes cause bleeding. Women who experience bleeding after menopause may have nothing to be worried about, however in some cases the bleeding may have to be treated by a doctor and can be an indication of a serious health problem.
Causes of Bleeding
Causes such as uterine fibroid tumors, birth control pills, growth in the lining of a woman's uterus that are not cancerous, as well as a hormonal problems should be considered. Other factors that can lead to bleeding after menopause include polyps located in the uterus, hyperplasia in the uterus as well as an infection in the cervix. Cancer that has developed in the cervix, vagina or the uterus as well as ovarian tumors can cause bleeding. Women who take anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners may also experience bleeding.
Tests
If the bleeding after menopause seems to be serious your doctor may ask for some tests to be done to check hormone levels. Sometimes an ultrasound may be performed and in some cases a biopsy might be done concerning the vagina, the uterus or the cervix. Some tests performed might require anesthesia such as a hysteroscopy which your doctor performs in order to check to see if there are any polyps inside the uterus or any other problems.
In some cases a laparoscopy might be performed by your physician. An instrument that contains a light is used in order to look inside the pelvis by way of a surgical cut in the skin of your abdomen. Sometimes your physician will perform a procedure known as a D&C which involves taking a tissue sample from the uterus.
Depending on the cause of bleeding after menopause there are several treatments that are available including endometrial ablation, taking hormones or if you are currently involved with hormone therapy some changes may be necessary. In some cases of bleeding after menopause surgery many be required in order to remove the uterus and in some cases the ovaries.
Typically you won't be able to prevent the bleeding form occurring, however if hormones or medications that you are taking seem to be the cause of your bleeding after menopause your doctor might recommend you stop taking the medications or make an adjustment in the amount of the medications or hormones that you are taking. In most cases bleeding after menopause is not a sign that you have cancer but you should consult with your physician in order to give him the opportunity to make sure you do not have a serious condition.
