{"id":1059,"date":"2020-04-15T14:40:10","date_gmt":"2020-04-15T14:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/?p=1059"},"modified":"2020-08-26T15:58:56","modified_gmt":"2020-08-26T15:58:56","slug":"what-is-the-most-common-cause-of-postmenopausal-bleeding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/what-is-the-most-common-cause-of-postmenopausal-bleeding\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Most Common Cause of Postmenopausal Bleeding?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A woman can be sure that she has hit menopause if she hadn\u2019t had her period for a whole year. This is a natural process that commonly happens to women in their 40s and 50s due to the hormone decline. Therefore, it\u2019s only logical that women in menopause won\u2019t expect to see any bleeding in the future. However, sometimes, it\u2019s possible for ladies to experience bleeding after menopause as well. If this happens, it\u2019s essential to address the issue as soon as possible and visit the doctor. After all, the bleeding itself is very likely to be caused by something other than menstruation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Causes Bleeding After Menopause?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are several different reasons why a woman might experience post-menopause bleeding. As you can expect, these causes vary greatly when it comes to the level of concern. However, it\u2019s still necessary to seek medical assistance. That said, the most common causes of bleeding after menopause include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><b>Endometrial Atrophy<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In menopause, the female body stops producing the estrogen hormone. As a result, it\u2019s possible for a woman\u2019s endometrial lining to thin out. Due to this occurrence, it\u2019s also possible for the endometrium to bleed occasionally.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><b>Endometrial Hyperplasia<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Contrary to the previous condition, endometrial hyperplasia involves the thickening of the uterine lining. Therefore, women affected by this could experience heavier bleeding even though they\u2019re in menopause. This happens due to the excessive production of estrogen that hasn\u2019t stopped without the necessary hormone progesterone to balance things out. Even though this condition is not extremely serious a first, ignoring it for too long could actually increase the risk of endometrial cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><b>Endometrial Cancer<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Endometrial cancer is a serious condition, which is precisely why you should never ignore vaginal bleeding after menopause. Almost 10% of postmenopausal women who experience bleeding tend to suffer from this type of cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><b>Polyps<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Uterus lining can develop certain growth anomalies, which are commonly known as polyps. Fortunately, polyps are not cancerous, but they shouldn\u2019t be ignored either, as they can cause really heavy bleeding in menopause. It\u2019s also possible for these polyps to grow inside the cervical canal. If this happens, women could experience bleeding during intercourse as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><b>Other Less Common Causes<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Postmenopausal spotting and bleeding could also occur due to the following reasons, even though that\u2019s not as likely compared to the already mentioned conditions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealth.gov\/a-z-topics\/thyroid-disease\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thyroid disorders<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pelvis trauma<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Clotting issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Endometritis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Urinary tract bleeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The side effects of hormone medication<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1061\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/What-Causes-Bleeding-After-Menopause.jpg\" alt=\"What Causes Bleeding After Menopause\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/What-Causes-Bleeding-After-Menopause-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/What-Causes-Bleeding-After-Menopause-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/What-Causes-Bleeding-After-Menopause-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/What-Causes-Bleeding-After-Menopause-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/What-Causes-Bleeding-After-Menopause-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/What-Causes-Bleeding-After-Menopause-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/What-Causes-Bleeding-After-Menopause.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Tests Necessary for Correct Diagnosis<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In order to conduct the necessary test, the doctor will have to inquire about your symptoms in regards to postmenopausal bleeding. You can expect questions such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When did you first notice your symptoms?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Do you bleed heavily or is it just occasional spotting?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Has anyone in your family experienced postmenopausal bleeding?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s possible that you might need to go through some additional tests depending on your symptoms, but the most common tests used to set a proper diagnosis include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><b>Dilation and Curettage (D&amp;C)<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Going through this particular procedure means that the doctor will have to widen your cervix in order to get a tissue sample for analysis. The doctor will also check for any potential growths inside the uterus with a hysteroscope tool.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><b>Endometrial Biopsy<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you have to go through endometrial biopsy, you\u2019ll have the doctor take a tissue sample from the uterus lining by inserting a thin tube into the vagina. Once the tissue is obtained, it will be sent to further excessive testing for any anomalies.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><b>Hysteroscopy<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hysteroscopy will help the doctor determine whether you have any abnormal growths or polyps inside the uterus and uterus lining by inserting a thin tool with a camera.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><b>Sonohysterography<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Also known as a transabdominal ultrasound, sonohysterography is performed by injecting fluid into the uterus through the vagina. The doctor will then use the ultrasound machine in order to check whether there are any tissue differences. This will help them visualize your uterus and learn whether there\u2019s any thickening or thinning of the uterus lining.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><b>Transvaginal Ultrasound<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The doctor will insert an ultrasound probe into the vagina. That way, they will get an idea of the uterus condition from the bottom of the uterus, contrary to the previous test, which involves the lower abdomen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1060\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/Transvaginal-Ultrasound.jpg\" alt=\"Transvaginal Ultrasound\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/Transvaginal-Ultrasound-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/Transvaginal-Ultrasound-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/Transvaginal-Ultrasound-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/Transvaginal-Ultrasound-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/Transvaginal-Ultrasound-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/Transvaginal-Ultrasound-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2020\/06\/Transvaginal-Ultrasound.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Possible Treatments for Bleeding in Menopause<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Depending on the test results and other underlying causes in regards to this occurrence, the doctor will decide what\u2019s the best treatment for your particular case. In case the cause of your postmenopausal bleeding are polyps, the treatment will involve removing the polyps surgically. If it happens that you have endometrial cancer, the most common course of action is to completely remove the uterus and surrounding lymph nodes. Chemotherapy and radiation might be necessary as well, in case cancer has already spread in the body. Women suffering from endometrial hyperplasia should effectively deal with the condition by taking adequate medication for it, which will then prevent the thickening of the endometrial lining. However, it\u2019s always recommended to do regular checkups for cancerous cells. In case the cause of bleeding is the tissue thinning, it would be necessary to take vaginal estrogen. Anywhere between four and eleven percent of ladies may experience bleeding after menopause. Even though irregular bleeding and spotting are somewhat normal just before hitting menopause, once a woman doesn\u2019t get her period for more than a year and then experience bleeding should be a reason for concern. The cause of the bleeding doesn\u2019t have to be anything too serious and there\u2019s no need to panic, but it\u2019s still better to book an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">All women are welcome to get top-notch medical service at Trogolo Obstetrics and Gynecology, regardless of their age. We have built our practice on a more personalized approach to healthcare for the women of Jacksonville. Our dedication, professionalism, and expertise together with friendly staff and pleasant office atmosphere make our Trogolo Obstetrics and <\/span><a href=\"\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/gynecologist-jacksonville-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gynecology practice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> the best choice for your health and peace of mind. Call us to make an appointment today!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A woman can be sure that she has hit menopause if she hadn\u2019t had her period for a whole year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1062,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[62,65,64,63,66],"class_list":["post-1059","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gynecology","tag-bleeding-after-menopause","tag-post-menopause-bleeding","tag-postmenopausal-spotting","tag-vaginal-bleeding-after-menopause","tag-what-causes-bleeding-after-menopause"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1059","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1059"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1059\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1062"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1059"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1059"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/trogolo-obstetrics-and-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1059"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}