Is Spotting a Symptom of Menopause?

Although spotting is not a symptom of menopause, there are several changes taking place within your body that may make spotting more likely. During the first stage of menopause (perimenopause) spotting and irregular bleeding are very common, as levels of the hormone estrogen rise and drop sporadically causing the menstrual cycle to become abnormal.

What is Menopause?

• Menopause occurs when levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone decline. This decline normally happens around the late 50s, although in some cases it can start much sooner. Menopause that begins before the age of 40 is called premature menopause.

Identification

• Spotting happens when you leak small amounts of blood sporadically. During menopause, spotting can be caused by a thickening of the uterine lining. This thickening can happen when a woman's ovaries don't produce enough progesterone to signal the uterus to shed its lining completely.

Causes

• Spotting during menopause can come from any number of medical conditions. The most common are vaginal dryness (vaginal atrophy), uterine atrophy, and uterine polyps. Rarely, spotting in menopause can be a sign of uterine cancer.

Treatments

• Spotting due to uterine polyps can be treated by using progesterone replacements to shrink the polyps or stop their growth. Since spotting due to vaginal atrophy is more pronounced after sexual intercourse, using over-the-counter lubricants may help. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may help minimize some of these instances.

Special Considerations

• If you experience bleeding of any amount during menopause, see your physician to rule out potential risks.