Postmenopausal Bleeding: Causes, Risks & When to See a Doctor

Bleeding that occurs after menopause can be alarming, especially as one has become accustomed to not having any bleeding. This can lead to concern that this is not normal and means that something is wrong. Although postmenopausal bleeding often does not signify any disease, in some cases it can indicate that something is wrong. As such, it should always be treated with care.

Definition

• Postmenopausal bleeding, according to Marcy Holmes, a certified menopause clinician who writes for womentowomen.com, is any bleeding that occurs with a woman who has not had any menstrual bleeding for the previous twelve months.

Frequency

• Approximately twenty to thirty percent of women experience postmenopausal bleeding.

Common Cause

• Postmenopausal bleeding is generally caused by changing hormonal levels that occur after menopause has begun.

Considerations

• Postmenopausal bleeding can also be caused by the growth of abnormal cells in the uterus, which can lead to uterine cancer.

Indications

• Any postmenopausal bleeding should result in a doctor's visit, just to make sure that nothing is wrong.