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What Causes Bright Red Blood Vaginal Discharge In An Elderly Woman?

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Posted on Thu, 30 Jun 2016
Question: Hi. I am a 57 year old female. Sometimes when I wipe myself, with real rough toilet paper, I will see bright red blood on the toilet paper, from "that area" down there. I don't have any XXXXXXX bleeding, blood in my urine or anything. It's just bright red blood when I wipe really hard. ? Can that be normal due to the dryness down there? Concerned. Thank you.

NO I MEANT FROM MY VAGINA AREA

SORRY I DIDN'T SPECIFY BRIGHT RED BLOOD FROM VAGINAL/URINE AREA
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Answered by Dr. Jacqueline Brown (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You probably have a condition called a urethral caruncle

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I will be happy to answer your question today.

I think that you most likely have developed a urethral caruncle, which is a red, inflamed spot right at your urinary opening that bleeds when it is traumatized. There are images on Google that you can look up.

Urethral caruncles form in women as a result of the lack of estrogen after menopause. They are not harmful unless you have burning with urination, or any discomfort.

A gynecologist could confirm the diagnosis for you, and if the bleeding continues, application of topical Estrogen cream can cause the area to heal and make the skin surrounding the urethra stronger.

But I want to emphasize that the condition itself is not dangerous, but the blood will be picked up on a urine test by your regular doctor and may be confused with upper urinary tract bleeding or vaginal bleeding.

I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today and that my advice was helpful. If you need anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes,

Dr. Brown
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Jacqueline Brown

OBGYN

Practicing since :1996

Answered : 1425 Questions

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What Causes Bright Red Blood Vaginal Discharge In An Elderly Woman?

Brief Answer: You probably have a condition called a urethral caruncle Detailed Answer: Hello, and I will be happy to answer your question today. I think that you most likely have developed a urethral caruncle, which is a red, inflamed spot right at your urinary opening that bleeds when it is traumatized. There are images on Google that you can look up. Urethral caruncles form in women as a result of the lack of estrogen after menopause. They are not harmful unless you have burning with urination, or any discomfort. A gynecologist could confirm the diagnosis for you, and if the bleeding continues, application of topical Estrogen cream can cause the area to heal and make the skin surrounding the urethra stronger. But I want to emphasize that the condition itself is not dangerous, but the blood will be picked up on a urine test by your regular doctor and may be confused with upper urinary tract bleeding or vaginal bleeding. I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today and that my advice was helpful. If you need anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best wishes, Dr. Brown