Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause

“It is important to note that women who have gone
through the menopause should not have any
vaginal bleeding/spotting. If this occurs, see 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

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”.5

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 Mayo Clinic note:

“Always seek medical advice if you have bleeding from your vagina after menopause”.6

In Heavy Bleeding: What Causes Heavy Bleeding? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health also flag:

“It is important to note that women who have gone through the menopause should not have any vaginal bleeding/spotting. If this occurs, see your doctor”.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)

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 uterine 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
  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. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness
  11. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness: Not Just Words [Video]
  12. Gynecologic Cancers
  13. Gynecologic Cancers: Basic Information About Gynecologic Cancers
  14. Gynecologic Cancers: What Are the Symptoms?
  15. Health After Menopause: Postmenopausal Bleeding
  16. Heavy Bleeding
  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
    Tips for Tracking Your Bleeding
  27. Types
  28. Uterine Cancer–Patient Version
  29. Uterine/Endometrial Cancer/GTD
  30. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Causes
  31. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Menopause and Abnormal Bleeding
  32. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
  33. What Is An Endometrial Biopsy?
  34. 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. Heavy Bleeding: What Causes Heavy Bleeding? Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 10 July 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/periods/heavy-bleeding Accessed: 03 September 2023
  2. Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 26 May 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21549-postmenopausal-bleeding Accessed: 03 September 2023
  3. Laughlin-Tommaso, S. K. 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: 03 September 2023
  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: 03 September 2023
  5. Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 26 May 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21549-postmenopausal-bleeding Accessed: 03 September 2023
  6. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 25 May 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 03 September 2023
  7. Heavy Bleeding: What Causes Heavy Bleeding? Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 10 July 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/periods/heavy-bleeding Accessed: 03 September 2023
  8. Postmenopausal Bleeding. Page Last Reviewed: 22 May 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-menopausal-bleeding/#when-to-get-medical-help Accessed: 03 September 2023
  9. Postmenopausal Bleeding: Living With – When Should I Contact My Doctor? Last Updated: 26 May 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21549-postmenopausal-bleeding Accessed: 03 September 2023
Topic Last Updated: 03 September 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 03 September 2023

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