Why Women May Have Vaginal Bleeding After Menopause

After transitioning to your postmenopausal years, you might feel relieved to no longer deal with monthly periods. For some women, however, bleeding after menopause may still occur and can be a warning sign of something more serious.

At Salem Women’s Clinic, Inc., our experienced medical team specializes in the management of menopause symptoms that can affect your physical, mental, and emotional wellness. 

Our team can also address vaginal bleeding and other postmenopausal issues to protect your long-term health.

Why you may be bleeding after menopause

Menopause is a natural transition every woman goes through at the end of the childbearing years. You are in menopause when your periods stop for at least 12 consecutive months.

Leading up to this time, you may experience irregular or heavy periods. But after menopause, bleeding can indicate that something else is going on.

Here are a few reasons why postmenopausal bleeding occurs:

Tissue thinning

Hormonal changes in menopause can cause the tissues of your vagina and vulva to become thinner. Bleeding may occur after sex when friction irritates the tissues and causes them to bleed.

Polyps

Polyps are abnormal but typically noncancerous growths that can develop on your cervix or uterus. These growths can cause vaginal bleeding in some women and grow large enough to cause persistent pelvic pain.

Thickened uterus and cancer

If the lining of your uterus (endometrium) becomes very thick, abnormal bleeding can occur. Thickened tissues can also increase your risk for endometrial cancer, another potential cause of vaginal bleeding after menopause.

Because cancer is serious and needs an immediate diagnosis, don’t delay a diagnostic evaluation for postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. Our OB/GYNs at Salem Women’s Clinic, Inc. offer on-site ultrasounds and other imaging tests to look closer at your uterus, cervix, and other reproductive organs.

Treatment options for bleeding after menopause

Several treatments can address the root cause of bleeding after menopause. Our providers customize a care plan to stop the bleeding and treat the underlying issue causing it. We might recommend one of the following treatments depending on your condition:

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy can improve the health of your vaginal tissues to prevent surface bleeding. We can also recommend a lubricant to use during sex to prevent discomfort.

Surgery

You may need surgery to remove large or painful polyps or destroy a thick uterus lining. Our team can also complete minimally invasive surgery to remove a tissue sample from your uterus or cervix to check for cancerous cells.

Hysterectomy

If bleeding is persistent or you have risk factors for cancer, we may recommend a hysterectomy to remove your uterus and other reproductive organs.

We provide you with the most accurate diagnosis, so you have all the information you need to make decisions about your health. Our team also monitors your overall health throughout your postmenopausal years to ensure you’re healthy and can stay physically active.

Call Salem Women’s Clinic, Inc. in Salem, Oregon, to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for vaginal bleeding after menopause, or book an appointment online today.