Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Vaginal Bleeding After Menopause?
Question: My mother is 63 and has bleed from either her uterus or vagina 3 times in the last 6 weeks, first couple of times were light spots however heavier today and she is really worried about it. What is this likely to be??
Brief Answer:
detailed answer below.
Detailed Answer:
Dear member,
Thanks for writing.
Any bleeding that occurs after menopause has to be investigated. The bleeding can be from the uterus or the vaginal area or cervical area.
During menopause the uterus becomes atrophied and the endometrium becomes thin. This endometrium can sometimes cause bleeding.
Occasionally the reverse happens where the endometrium becomes thick and hyperplasia and bleeds heavily.
The thick endometrium is at risk for malignant changes or cancerous changes.
Some times even a atrophied vaginal tissue bleeds.
To check the cause your mother needs a pelvic examination right away.
If the cervical area and vagina are normal then the uterus needs to be checked.
She will need a transvaginal ultrasound to check for the same. A endometrium biopsy will be taken from the uterus and sent for histopathology examination.
If all the tests are normal then there is no need to worry.
Tablet tranexamic acid taken 3 times a day decreases blood flow.
Hope this was helpful.
Please write back if you have any questions
Thanks
Dr Bhagyashree
detailed answer below.
Detailed Answer:
Dear member,
Thanks for writing.
Any bleeding that occurs after menopause has to be investigated. The bleeding can be from the uterus or the vaginal area or cervical area.
During menopause the uterus becomes atrophied and the endometrium becomes thin. This endometrium can sometimes cause bleeding.
Occasionally the reverse happens where the endometrium becomes thick and hyperplasia and bleeds heavily.
The thick endometrium is at risk for malignant changes or cancerous changes.
Some times even a atrophied vaginal tissue bleeds.
To check the cause your mother needs a pelvic examination right away.
If the cervical area and vagina are normal then the uterus needs to be checked.
She will need a transvaginal ultrasound to check for the same. A endometrium biopsy will be taken from the uterus and sent for histopathology examination.
If all the tests are normal then there is no need to worry.
Tablet tranexamic acid taken 3 times a day decreases blood flow.
Hope this was helpful.
Please write back if you have any questions
Thanks
Dr Bhagyashree
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your response, will let her know.
Can I ask for my own piece of mind what are the chances of it being anything serious?
She had a heart attack about 7 years ago and is on aspirin (blood thinners) could these be linked to the bleeding??
Thank You
Can I ask for my own piece of mind what are the chances of it being anything serious?
She had a heart attack about 7 years ago and is on aspirin (blood thinners) could these be linked to the bleeding??
Thank You
Brief Answer:
endometrium cancer is rare.
Detailed Answer:
Dear member,
Thanks for writing.
The risk of any cancer is less than 10%.
Usually bleeding is due to atrophy of endometrium.
As you mentioned she is on blood thinner aspirin , the same can also cause bleeding.
There is no need to worry.
A simple ultrasound and a endometrium biopsy will be enough.
Thanks
Dr XXXXXXX
endometrium cancer is rare.
Detailed Answer:
Dear member,
Thanks for writing.
The risk of any cancer is less than 10%.
Usually bleeding is due to atrophy of endometrium.
As you mentioned she is on blood thinner aspirin , the same can also cause bleeding.
There is no need to worry.
A simple ultrasound and a endometrium biopsy will be enough.
Thanks
Dr XXXXXXX
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
