Because menopause causes regular periods to end, any bleeding after menopause, whether light or heavy, could be indicative of another underlying condition.
The potential causes for postmenopausal bleeding are numerous and varied:
- Thinning or thickening of the uterus (endometrial atrophy or hyperplasia)
- Thinning of vaginal tissue (vaginal atrophy)
- Cervical polyps
- STIs or cancer
- Side effects from some medications
To determine the cause of this type of bleeding, a physician will conduct a physical exam and discuss a patient’s medical history. He or she may suggest an ultrasound, biopsy, dilation and curettage (D&C), or other test as part of the diagnostic process. Some of these tests can be done in a doctor’s office, while others require a hospital or surgical setting. Treatment for postmenopausal bleeding will depend on the cause of the condition but could include hormone therapy or other medications.
If you are experiencing bleeding after going through menopause, consult your OB-GYN doctor.