Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause

“Bleeding from your vagina after menopause is not normal.
If you have any bleeding, spotting or staining
after you reach menopause, talk to your doctor”.1

Umbrella

What may the Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Abnormal Bleeding After Menopause/Postmenopause
  • Abnormal Uterine Bleeding After Menopause/Postmenopause
  • After Menopause Bleeding/Spotting/Vaginal Bleeding
  • Bleeding/Spotting/Vaginal Bleeding After Menopause/Postmenopause
  • Postmenopausal/Postmenopause Bleeding/Spotting/Vaginal Bleeding

Definition

What is postmenopausal bleeding?

DotS the definition of postmenopausal bleeding may vary. In Postmenopausal Bleeding the (United States) Cleveland Clinic’s definition is:

“Postmenopausal bleeding is vaginal bleeding that occurs a year or more after your last menstrual period”.2

Normal or Not

Is bleeding after menopause or postmenopausal bleeding, normal?

No. In Bleeding After Menopause: A Concern? I thought I was in menopause because I haven’t had a period in three years. But last month, I got my period again. I’m 50 years old. What could be happening? the author elaborates on:

“Bleeding from the vagina after menopause is unusual. Get it checked by a health care provider as soon as you can. Or see a doctor who’s had extra training to find and treat diseases of the female reproductive organs, called a gynecologist”.3

In Periods: Overview – Changes In Your Periods the (United Kingdom) NHS note:

“Bleeding between periods, bleeding after having sex, or bleeding after the menopause needs to be checked by a doctor”.4

In What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause: Postmenopause – What Changes After Menopause? Vaginal and Vulval Health: Postmenopausal Bleeding the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:

“Bleeding from your vagina after menopause is not normal. If you have any bleeding, spotting or staining after you reach menopause, talk to your doctor. They may recommend tests, including:

  • Cervical screening
  • Vaginal (internal) ultrasound
  • Biopsy
  • Curette (a procedure to gently remove the lining of your uterus)”.5

Uterine Cancer

What is the association between uterine cancer and postmenopausal bleeding?

In Postmenopausal Bleeding the Cleveland Clinic note:

“In about 10% of women, bleeding after menopause is a sign of uterine cancer”.6

Health Care Provider

What if I have bleeding after menopause?

If you have bleeding after menopause, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this as soon as possible.

In Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor the (United States) Mayo Clinic note:

“See your healthcare professional as soon as you can if you bleed from your vagina after menopause”.7

In Postmenopausal Bleeding the NHS elaborate on:

“See a GP if:

You have postmenopausal bleeding, even if:

  • It’s only happened once
  • There’s only a small amount of blood, spotting, or pink or brown discharge
  • You do not have any other symptoms
  • You’re not sure if it’s blood.

Postmenopausal bleeding is not usually serious, but can be a sign of cancer. Cancer is easier to treat if it’s found early”.8

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

The Cleveland Clinic note:

“Contact your healthcare provider if you experience vaginal bleeding:

  • More than a year after your last menstrual period
  • More than a year after starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

In most cases, vaginal bleeding after menopause is harmless. But it can be a sign of a more serious condition.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

It’s normal to have irregular vaginal bleeding in the years leading up to menopause. But if you have bleeding more than a year after your last menstrual period, it’s time to see your healthcare provider. It could be the result of a simple infection or benign growths. But in rare cases, bleeding could be a sign of cancer”.9

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  2. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Peri- and Postmenopausal Women
  3. Bleeding After Menopause Could Be A Problem. Here’s What To Know
  4. Bleeding After Menopause: A Concern? I thought I was in menopause because I haven’t had a period in three years. But last month, I got my period again. I’m 50 years old. What could be happening?
  5. Bleeding Disorders In Women
  6. Brown Discharge: 4 Causes and What It Means
  7. FAQs: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  8. FAQs: Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause
  9. Foundationforwomenscancer.org [Foundation for Women’s Cancer, United States]
  10. Gynae Cancers: A Brief Explainer
  11. Gynecologic Cancers
  12. Gynecologic Cancers: Gynecologic Cancers Basics
  13. Gynecologic Cancers: Symptoms of Gynecologic Cancers
  14. Heavy Bleeding
  15. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – After the Menopause [Other Languages and Formats]
  16. Mayo Clinic Minute: Tips From A Gynecological Surgeon on Recovery From Surgery [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  17. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Spotting, Perimenopause and Menopause
  18. Menopause Hormone Therapy: I’m taking hormone therapy for menopause symptoms, and my monthly menstrual periods have returned. Is this normal?
  19. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  20. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause
  21. OvarianCancerAwareness.org [Ovarian Cancer Awareness, United States]
  22. Periods
  23. Postmenopausal Bleeding
  24. Postmenopausal Bleeding
  25. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  26. Tips for Tracking Your Bleeding
    Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause
  27. Types
  28. Uterine Cancer
  29. Uterine Cancer
    Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause
  30. Uterine Cancer Awareness Month: June Is Uterine Cancer Awareness Month
    Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause
  31. Uterine Cancer: Symptoms of Uterine Cancer
  32. Uterine Cancer: Uterine Cancer Basics
  33. Uterine Cancer–Patient Version
  34. Uterine/Endometrial Cancer/GTD
  35. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Causes
  36. Video Series-2024: Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  37. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Menopause and Abnormal Bleeding
  38. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
  39. Webinars: Previous – Sexual Dysfunctions, Update on Gynae Cancers and Management
  40. What Is An Endometrial Biopsy?
  41. World Ovarian Cancer Day May 8, 2024
  42. Worldgoday.org [World Gynecologic Oncology Day (World GO Day, September 20)
    Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause
  43. You Need To Know [+ Video: Bleeding After the Menopause – An Important Message You Need To Know]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause: Postmenopause – What Changes After Menopause? Vaginal and Vulval Health: Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 18 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause#perimenopause-menopause-and-postmenopause Accessed: 04 September 2024
  2. Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Reviewed: 15 January 2024. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21549-postmenopausal-bleeding Accessed: 04 September 2024
  3. Burnett, T. Bleeding After Menopause: A Concern? I thought I was in menopause because I haven’t had a period in three years. But last month, I got my period again. I’m 50 years old. What could be happening? 07 December 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/expert-answers/bleeding-after-menopause/faq-20058396 Accessed: 04 September 2024
  4. Periods: Overview – Changes In Your Periods. Page Last Reviewed: 05 January 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/#changes-in-your-periods Accessed: 04 September 2024
  5. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause: Postmenopause – What Changes After Menopause? Vaginal and Vulval Health: Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 18 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause#perimenopause-menopause-and-postmenopause Accessed: 04 September 2024
  6. Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Reviewed: 15 January 2024. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21549-postmenopausal-bleeding Accessed: 04 September 2024
  7. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 07 August 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 04 September 2024
  8. Postmenopausal Bleeding. Page Last Reviewed: 22 May 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-menopausal-bleeding/#when-to-get-medical-help Accessed: 04 September 2024
  9. Postmenopausal Bleeding: Living With – When Should I Contact My Healthcare Provider? Last Reviewed: 15 January 2024. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21549-postmenopausal-bleeding Accessed: 04 September 2024
Topic Last Updated: 04 September 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 04 September 2024

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