“It is important to note that women who have gone
through the menopause should not have any
vaginal bleeding/spotting. If this occurs, see your doctor”.1

Umbrella
What may the Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Abnormal Bleeding After Menopause/Postmenopause
  • Abnormal Uterine Bleeding After Menopause/Postmenopause
  • After Menopause Bleeding/Spotting/Vaginal Bleeding
  • Bleeding/Spotting/Vaginal Bleeding After Menopause/Postmenopause
  • Postmenopausal/Postmenopause Bleeding/Spotting/Vaginal Bleeding

Definition

What is postmenopausal bleeding?

DotS the definition of postmenopausal bleeding may vary. In Postmenopausal Bleeding the (United States) Cleveland Clinic’s definition is:

“Postmenopausal bleeding is vaginal bleeding that occurs a year or more after your last menstrual period”.2

Normal or Not

Is bleeding after menopause or postmenopausal bleeding, normal?

No. In Bleeding After Menopause: A Concern? I thought I was in menopause because I haven’t had a period in three years. But last month, I got my period again. I’m 50 years old. What could be happening? the author elaborates on:

“Bleeding from the vagina after menopause is unusual. Get it checked by a health care provider as soon as you can. Or see a doctor who’s had extra training to find and treat diseases of the female reproductive organs, called a gynecologist”.3

In Periods: Overview – Changes In Your Periods the (United Kingdom) NHS note:

“Bleeding between periods, bleeding after having sex, or bleeding after the menopause needs to be checked by a doctor”.4

Uterine Cancer

What is the association between uterine cancer and postmenopausal bleeding?

In Postmenopausal Bleeding the Cleveland Clinic note:

“In about 10% of women, bleeding after menopause is a sign of uterine cancer”.5

Health Care Provider

What if I have bleeding after menopause?

If you have bleeding after menopause, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this as soon as possible.

In Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor the (United States) Mayo Clinic note:

“Always seek medical advice if you have bleeding from your vagina after menopause”.6

In Heavy Bleeding: What Causes Heavy Bleeding? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health also flag:

“It is important to note that women who have gone through the menopause should not have any vaginal bleeding/spotting. If this occurs, see your doctor”.7

In Postmenopausal Bleeding the NHS elaborate on:

“See a GP if:

You have postmenopausal bleeding, even if:

  • It’s only happened once
  • There’s only a small amount of blood, spotting, or pink or brown discharge
  • You do not have any other symptoms
  • You’re not sure if it’s blood.

Postmenopausal bleeding is not usually serious, but can be a sign of cancer. Cancer is easier to treat if it’s found early”.8

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

The Cleveland Clinic note:

“Contact your healthcare provider if you experience vaginal bleeding:

  • More than a year after your last menstrual period
  • More than a year after starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

A note from Cleveland Clinic

It’s normal to have irregular vaginal bleeding in the years leading up to menopause. But if you have bleeding more than a year after your last menstrual period, it’s time to see your healthcare provider. It could be the result of a simple infection or benign growths. But in rare cases, bleeding could be a sign of uterine cancer”.9

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause and Bleeding After Menopause?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Heavy Bleeding: What Causes Heavy Bleeding? Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 10 July 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/periods/heavy-bleeding Accessed: 03 September 2023
  2. Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 26 May 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21549-postmenopausal-bleeding Accessed: 15 January 2024
  3. Laughlin-Tommaso, S. K. Bleeding After Menopause: A Concern? I thought I was in menopause because I haven’t had a period in three years. But last month, I got my period again. I’m 50 years old. What could be happening? 07 December 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/expert-answers/bleeding-after-menopause/faq-20058396 Accessed: 15 January 2024
  4. Periods: Overview – Changes In Your Periods. Page Last Reviewed: 05 January 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/#changes-in-your-periods Accessed: 15 January 2024
  5. Postmenopausal Bleeding. Last Updated: 26 May 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21549-postmenopausal-bleeding Accessed: 15 January 2024
  6. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 25 May 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 15 January 2024
  7. Heavy Bleeding: What Causes Heavy Bleeding? Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 10 July 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/periods/heavy-bleeding Accessed: 03 September 2023
  8. Postmenopausal Bleeding. Page Last Reviewed: 22 May 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-menopausal-bleeding/#when-to-get-medical-help Accessed: 15 January 2024
  9. Postmenopausal Bleeding: Living With – When Should I Contact My Doctor? Last Updated: 26 May 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21549-postmenopausal-bleeding Accessed: 15 January 2024
Topic Last Updated: 15 January 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 15 January 2024

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