Postmenopausal Bleeding
If you are a postmenopausal lady and you’re getting any bleeding or spotting from down there, you need to get that investigated. Never ignore this sign. It could be something serious.
What Is Being Post-menopausal?
Menopause is defined as the phase of life after a female ends her reproductive career. It is featured by cessation of monthly menstrual flow by more than a year’s time. In general, menopause occurs somewhere around 45 to 50 years of age.
Any lady who has not had any period since an year or more is grouped under the post menopausal group. Any bleeding from the vaginal canal that occurs after this phase is called post menopausal bleeding.
Causes
Post menopausal bleeding is not normal. There are many pathologies that can deal to such a symptom.
Endometrial Thinning
Menopause is characterized physiologically be lowering of female hormonal levels in the blood. As the levels of female hormones decline, the reproductive organs shrink or get atrophied. This is planned by nature, as these organs are no longer required functionally.
The inner most lining of the uterus, cervix and the vaginal canal becomes thin. Also, the linings become less secretory. lubricating fluid down there are markedly reduced. The patient may have pain during sexual intercourse.
The thin lining of the uterus may sometimes shed, as the tissues underneath are not able to hold it tight. This expresses out as a bleed.
Treatment is required. Female hormones may be given for some time.
Endometrial Hyperplasia
Hyperplasia is increase in the number of cells. The uterine mucosa may show hyperplasia. It may, thus, thicken up and become bloody. This lining may slowing shed out, as in menses and flow out as a bleed.
Hyperplasia are seen commonly in patients who are obese and have a sedentary lifestyle.
Medical intervention is essential to arrest the bleed. Also, further investigations like D&C are done. Here, a little portion of the uterus is scraped from inside and the tissue is sent for histopathological examination.
This is important, as some cases of endometrial hyperplasias may convert into cancer.
Cancer of Endometrium and Cervix
Malignancy of the uterus, cervix or vagina may give out a painless bleed. Out of these, uterine cancers are the commonest. They may give out just some spotting that is usually ignored as it is painless and little in amount in early stages.
Infection of the Uterus or Cervix
Any infection of the lower reproductive tract may give you some spotting. Usually, other symptoms of infection, like fever and pain, are also associated.
Polyp
A polyp is a small pear like growth, which may get formed from the inner lining of the reproductive tract. This means, it may grow inside the uterus, or the vaginal canal.
It is commoner for polyps to grow form the lower vaginal lining.
Polyp may bleed. The bleed is fresh and red.
Certain Medications
Some medicines, as blood thinners, may make you bleed form down there. Women in this case group may have associated cardiac issues, for which these medicines are commonly given.
