Best Selling Medicine
Dr. Aditya Shah
Expert In Clinical Pharmacology And Drug SafetyView moreYou are going through a phase of a woman’s life where there are many changes. It is during the time of Menopausal in women that women stop having normal egg production and periods regularly.
However, you suddenly discover that you are having some brief periods of bleeding from the vagina, and you wonder whether this is a major sign of cancer. Well, in case it is your doubt, and you are suffering from a lot of stress and burden, welcome to this blog post.
In this article, we will dive deep and find out if menopausal bleeding can lead to cancer or what causes this condition.
Postmenopausal Bleeding- When And How Does It Occur?
As we told you above, every woman in this world is bound to go through a condition known as Menopause, where she stops having regular periods. The WHO defines this stage only when a woman has not had any periods in the last 12 months.
Through further research from the global health body, it has been found that some women during this time suffer from bleeding. Through the study, the reports came up that this issue, in most cases, it is non-cancerous.
Doctors repeatedly tell you not to worry if you are having this symptom, but it needs a diagnosis from a doctor. However, in around 10% of the cases, further diagnosis has led to the determination of uterine or vaginal cancer in women.
Symptoms Of Postmenopausal Bleeding
So, some of the symptoms are obvious to find out since you will find bleeding occurring from the vagina. This bleeding is not similar to what you go through during periods. It occurs in stages and bursts and is often in loess quantities. Some women may suffer from spotting in the vagina.
Some experts and doctors from the UK’s Institute of Health for Women find that this bleeding will be specifically with dark spots.
Causes Of Menopausal Bleeding |
|
| Now, let us find out if it is not cancer, then what is causing you to bleed from the vagina during Menopausal? Here are some reasons why it can occur- | |
| Vaginal Atrophy | This is a condition where the lining around the external part of the vagina gets too dry and bleeds more easily. |
| Growth Of Polyps | The FDA states that some women can have benign tubular growths inside the vagina, which in medical science are known as polyps that bleed. |
| HRT | Through studies, it has been found that some women who specifically go through hormonal replacement therapy may have to deal with this situation. |
| Endometrial Hyperplasia | The internal lining around the wall of the uterus gets too thick due to abnormal cells and tissue growth that starts to bleed. |
Other Causes Of Menopausal Bleeding
Apart from this, there can be some other cases that cause bleeding from the vagina after menopause in women. These conditions are-
- Cervical cancer, as we have told you above which is common in 10% females as per a study from the WHO.
- Inflammation in the cervix
- Bleeding from other nearby organs, such as the rectum
- Injury
Shop Now
During these cases, the doctors may tell you to use Oestrogel 80 g. This will usually help you deal with all the symptoms, such as
- Flashes
- Dryness
- Spotting
- Itching
Postmenopausal Bleeding- For Whom Is It More Common?
There are a few risk factors inherent for women during the time of menopause. We have given a few health risks below that can increase your chances of suffering from vaginal bleeding-
- Obesity
- Smoking too much
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorders
- PCOS
- Going through menopause much later in the higher 40s or 50s
We always suggest that it is better to go to a doctor and undergo through diagnosis of your bleeding to find out if it is a case of cancer in the cervix, ovary, or uterus.
Diagnosis And Tests For Menopausal Bleeding
Here are some of the tests that the doctors can recommend for you-
- Pelvic exam externally
- X-ray test around the pelvic area
- Vaginal ultrasound
- Biopsy
Of course, along with these tests, one of the tests that will be common is to check a sample of vaginal bleeding. Within this, doctors are going to check for signs of cells that may be cancerous.
Managing And Treating Menopause Bleeding
The type of treatment or management tips given by the doctors for menopausal bleeding in women may depend on its cause.
Here are some of the most common treatment methods-
Use Of Medicines
One of the most common ways is to give suitable medicines. The doctors can prescribe medicines like-
- Antibiotics, if it is a case of an internal vaginal infection causing you to bleed.
- Estrogen pills to deal with vaginal atrophy.
- Progestin pills, which deal with the condition of endometrial hyperplasia.
Surgeries
Surgeries are not that common, usually for women bleeding from the vagina after menopause. However, it may be needed in severe cases. Here are the types of surgeries-
- Hysteroscopy to deal with polyps and growths inside the vagina.
- Dilation and curettage, which removes the lining of the thick uterus inside
- Hysterectomy, the most common and needed surgery for severe cases where the doctors have no other option than to surgically remove the uterus and vagina.
Final Thoughts
Therefore, as you can see in this blog post, we have cleared your initial doubts about bleeding from the vagina during menopause. It is highly unlikely that your case is that of cancer in case you are not among the unlucky 10% women.
FAQs
Q. Is It Normal For Women To Bleed During The Initial Periods Of Menopause?
No, it is not normal for women to bleed often or rarely, even when menopause sets in.
Q. Can Stress Lead To Bleeding From The Vagina During Menopause?
No, scientists from the FDA say that there is no relation between women having mental health issues like stress and having bleeding from the vagina during menopause.
Q. Can I Have A Heavy Period That Signals Menopause?
No, that is not possible in case you have reached menopause already and have not had periods for the last year.