Menopause & Bleeding

Post-menopausal bleeding is different from the infrequent periods that occur during menopause. It occurs in women after a span of 12 months without a period. Bleeding after menopause can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition or a life style change. Post-menopausal bleeding is abnormal and any degree of spotting or bleeding should be considered a sign and brought to the attention of a woman's doctor.

Identification

• Post-menopausal bleeding is when a woman does not have a period for 12 months and begins to bleed. An average of 20 to 30 percent of women experience some form of post-menopausal bleeding. Sudden spotting as well as a heavy flow are both considered a form of post-menopausal bleeding. A diagnosis to identify the cause of post menopausal bleeding is determined by consulting a physician. A Pap smear or pelvic examine are the initial examinations to determine if further examination is required.

Facts

• Hormonal imbalance, nutrition and insulin resistance, weight loss and emotional stress are the leading causes of bleeding after menopause. Women may experience bleeding when they change, add or begin to wean themselves off of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HTR). Nutrition is very important in post-menopausal women because it supports the cycle of hormonal balance. Bleeding can occur if there is a nutrient deficiency. Dramatic weight loss within a short period can also cause bleeding, gradual weight loss is best. There is estrogen stored in fat tissues and as a woman loses weight, the estrogen is liberated into the bloodstream which can cause bleeding. An unexpected spurt of hormones during stressful and emotional times can also cause bleeding.

Prevention

• If post-menopausal bleeding is caused by something more serious, the bleeding is inevitable. To treat and prevent more severe causes for bleeding after menopause, it is important for women to have a yearly Pap smear exam. To prevent bleeding that is related to a hormonal imbalance, women should devote themselves to a healthy lifestyle by maintain healthy eating habits, live as stress free as possible, gradually gain or lose weight and take vitamins or dietary supplements. Prior to menopause, it is helpful for women to improve their nutrition and supplements to reduce the risk of post-menopausal bleeding.

Considerations

• HTR (Hormone Replacement Therapy) is a common cause for bleeding after menopause. Although the estrogen in the replacement therapy decreases the risk of osteoporosis and reduces the menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, it also has the potential to stimulate the uterine lining to grow. This is when post menopausal bleeding occurs. Many women on HRT also take progesterone with the estrogen. Monthly withdrawal bleeding does not require treatment and is a normal side effect.

Warning

• Post-menopausal bleeding is considered abnormal until the cause is identified. Although post-menopausal bleeding occurs frequently in women, it should be considered a signal that something is abnormal in the body. Since the causes can range from a minor hormonal imbalance or an easily treatable uterine abnormality to something more severe such as overt cancer of the uterus, early identification is always best. Cancer of the uterine lining accounts for 20 percent of bleeding after menopause. Post-menopausal bleeding is not always from the uterus, it may occur if there is a tear in the vaginal wall or the urethra.