POST-MENOPAUSAL BLEEDING

Women who have gone through menopause should not experience menstrual bleeding, which means that post-menopausal bleeding and spotting is abnormal.

What causes it?

The following conditions may cause post-menopausal bleeding:

• Uterine polyps may cause spotting and bleeding.
• Thinning of the uterine lining (endometrial atrophy) due to low levels of hormones after menopause may trigger uterine bleeding.
• Thickening of the uterine lining (endometrial hyperplasia) due to too much estrogen or too little progesterone.
• Thinning of the vaginal tissue which may cause bleeding after intercourse due to vaginal dryness.
• Medications such as blood thinners may cause bleeding.
• Hormone therapy
• Cervical or vaginal cancer

How can post-menopausal bleeding be treated?

Depending on the cause of the bleeding, as well as the severity, treatment options include:

• Estrogen creams if the bleeding is due to thinning of the uterine or vaginal lining.
• Surgical removal of polyps
• Hormone replacement therapy may be considered to counteract the lack of hormones due to menopause.
• In more severe cases a hysterectomy may be considered.
• If cancer is the cause, depending on the type and stage of cancer surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are usually considered with the help of Dr Tini’s guidance.