Should you worry if you start bleeding post menopause?

Bleeding after menopause indicates a serious health concern and could also be a sign of cancer!

If you have hit menopause, you sure have left your menstrual days behind. You might not have experienced bleeding, menstruation or even spotting for at least a year. However, if you still see that there is bleeding or spotting after you have hit menopause, it should raise your concerns. At times, this could indicate a minor health issue, but then you should not ignore postmenopausal bleeding as it could also be a sign of health scares like cancer. Here are 11 symptoms of menopause that you should be aware off.

Here are few reasons that could lead to post menopause bleeding

Uterine polyps: These are non-cancerous growth usually found in the uterus, cervix or inside the cervical canal. Even though they seem benign, it is serious enough to remove surgically to bring a stop to the postmenstrual bleeding. Here are six reasons for one to suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding.

Endometrial atrophy or thinning of the endometrium: Due to low estrogen level, the tissue lining the uterus might become thin and lead to unexpected bleeding. Usually, this condition can be treated with hormonal pills and medications.

Thickening of the endometrial wall: Many women who undergo hormone replacement therapy to treat other symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, hair loss, vaginal dryness can instead suffer from thickening of the endometrium lining, leading to bleeding. This can again be treated with medications to correct the hormone level in the body.

Endometrial cancer: Sometimes post menopause bleeding could indicate a danger like endometrial cancer with malignant growth rising in the inner lining of the uterus, says Shantala Vadeyar Medical Director of FetoMaternal Medicine Cloudnine Hospitals, Mumbai.

When do you need to consult a doctor?

According to Dr Vadeyar, vaginal bleeding post menopause needs to be investigated thoroughly to determine a proper mode of treatment. If bleeding continuous for days, it is a good enough reason to go and visit your gynaecologist. This is not to say that if you suffer from spotting which stops suddenly you should ignore that sign. Every kind of bleeding post menopause needs attention.

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