Spotting After Menopause: Is it Normal?
Many women experience spotting after menopause and it can either be the sign of something trivial or it could be caused by a cancer that has begun to develop in the body. Menopause is already a traumatic enough time without having to worry about having cancer, and this is why it is so important to get yourself checked out if you ever experience spotting after menopause.
The Sign of Something Serious?
Even though you should get in to see your doctor regardless of what you think the spotting after menopause may mean, there are a few things that you should be aware of which will help to give you a better idea on your own of whether it is the sign of something serious or not.
One of the most common reasons for bleeding after menopause is a hysterectomy. If you have had this procedure done and you then begin experience light spotting this is usually completely normal and is just your body reacting from the surgery.
Another common cause of bleeding after menopause is hormone treatment or replacement drugs. These drugs can make the body fall out of routine and as an effect bleeding can occur. Even stress has been proven to cause vaginal bleeding, as already your body is going through some phenomenal changes and needs to adapt, and so if you are living a stressful life as well this is only going to add on to your stress and possibly cause you to experience bleeding.
Cause for Concern
There are times when spotting after menopause is cause for concern. It is important to understand why this is, as there could be many reasons that involve something serious. The major concern here lies in the fact that spotting could be in affect something as serious as uterine cancer.
There are actually a few different types of uterine cancer, the most common type which starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. Uterine cancer develops most commonly immediately after menopause, and anyone who is obese or taking estrogen-alone hormone replacement therapy has an increased risk of developing this cancer.
Menopause can be an incredibly difficult stage in a woman's life, and it is hard enough to deal with without having to deal with spotting after menopause. It can be frightening, but even if it is cancer if it is identified and caught early enough it can be treated and you will not be at risk for additional cancers developing.
