Bleeding After Menopause - It's Not Normal!

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus (partial or complete) to deal with cervical or endometrial cancer, the symptom of which includes postmenopausal bleeding. The surgery may also be helpful in the case of endometrial hyperplasia (precancerous form). Endometrial hyperplasia is a medical condition characterized by an increased thickening of the uterine lining resulting in unusual vaginal bleeding. Hysterectomy comes with its share of side-effects and complications such as pain during sex, infection, or injury to the neighboring organs.

Estrogen acts as a defensive shield protecting the vaginal tissue. Menopause, a biological process whereby the menstruation permanently stops also result in a hormonal imbalance. There is a significant fall in the estrogen level. In the absence of estrogen, dryness, inflammation and thinning of the vaginal wall takes place, a condition termed as Vaginal Atrophy. The use of lubricants (water-based) and the doctor recommended moisturizers can go a long way to treat the vaginal dryness.

Like Menopause, perimenopause is often accompanied by a hormonal imbalance. The imbalance can affect the menstrual cycle and the flow of menstrual blood (can be heavy or light flow). In some cases, spotting may also occur. However, the symptoms are often harmless and seldom triggers any health complications. If the bleeding gets unmanageable and persists for long (three weeks or more), consult a doctor.

Bleeding after menopause can be triggered by polyps. Polyps are abnormal non-malignant tissue growths often found to originate from a mucous membrane. The fleshy tissue growths can occur in various parts of the body including the cervix as well as inside the uterus. The presence of these polyps often results in bleeding or spotting, especially after sex. Postmenopausal bleeding can be triggered by a myriad of health complication such as STDs, Cancer, Endometrial atrophy, to name a few. Waste no time and consult a doctor at the earliest.