Spotting Post Menopause: Should I Be Concerned?

Once you reach menopause, it’s natural to have mixed feelings. After all, it is the end of your child-bearing years, and it’s also the end of your periods. 

For many women, the cessation of menstruation is a big reason to celebrate, especially if periods were heavier or less predictable in the years leading up to menopause.

But for about 10% of women, light bleeding recurs, raising a lot of concern, and often, unfounded fears. 

In this post, our team at Feminine Urgicare reviews some of the common (and uncommon) causes of post-menopausal bleeding and why having a gynecological evaluation is so important for your health and your peace of mind.

Post-menopause spotting: Why it happens

If you’re like most women, post-menopausal bleeding almost immediately triggers one fear: cancer. 

Yes, some abnormal bleeding can be associated with cervical, ovarian, or uterine cancer. But what’s also true is that most abnormal bleeding during menopause has nothing to do with cancer. Instead, it’s usually associated with a benign cause, including:

Vaginal atrophy

Vaginal atrophy involves the thinning out and breakdown of the vaginal tissues caused by a decline in estrogen. This important hormone regulates periods and keeps your vaginal tissues healthy, firm, and lubricated. 

When estrogen declines during menopause, the vaginal tissues break down, leading to dry and brittle tissue that can sometimes bleed.

Medications

Medications can also cause vaginal spotting. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), blood-thinning medications, and even some over-the-counter products may contribute to abnormal spotting. 

During your visit, be sure to let us know about any medications or supplements you’re using.

Polyps or fibroids

Polyps and fibroids are noncancerous growths that are more common among women of childbearing age. But sometimes, they can cause symptoms in menopause, including light vaginal bleeding.

When to call the office

While determining the cause of postmenopausal bleeding isn’t always straightforward, deciding when to call our team is obvious. Call us anytime you have bleeding after menopause.

Even though most causes of abnormal bleeding during menopause are due to benign causes, there is the possibility that something more serious is going on. That might be cancer, but it might also be another underlying disease that requires prompt medical care. 

Even vaginal atrophy can cause more serious problems unless it’s evaluated and addressed appropriately.

Aside from those health considerations, having an evaluation provides you with important peace of mind, as well as helping you take a more proactive role in your postmenopausal health and wellness. 

It’s also a great time to talk about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause-related bleeding associated with hormonal decline. 

In addition to a pelvic exam, we may order blood or urine testing, diagnostic imaging, or tissue biopsy using minimally-invasive techniques performed right in our office. 

Once we identify the cause, our team will work with you to provide necessary treatment or develop a long-term care plan for chronic concerns like vaginal dryness.

Don’t ignore abnormal bleeding

Spotting after menopause should never be ignored. To find out what’s causing your symptoms and what we can do to help, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Feminine Urgicare in Paramus and Clifton, New Jersey, today.