Post-Menopausal Bleeding

Bleeding after menopause, also known as post menopausal bleeding (PMB), is a condition characterised by vaginal bleeding after 12 months of menopause. PMB is not pertinent to young women having amenorrhoea (absence of menstrual periods) due to anorexia nervosa or having a pregnancy followed by lactation. PMB may be related to those young women who are suffering from premature ovarian failure or premature menopause.

Menopause is a natural biological process resulting in a permanent cessation of menstruation. Menopause usually occurs in women during the fifth decade of their life. Menopause is confirmed by an absence of menstrual periods for 12 months consecutively.

In most cases, PMB is harmless, but sometimes it may be secondary to an underlying medical disorder. Therefore, bleeding after postmenopausal should be carefully investigated.

Causes

The common causes of post-menopausal bleeding include:
Thinning of the tissues lining the uterus (endometrial atrophy) or vagina (vaginal atrophy)

• Cervical and endometrial polyps
• Infection and inflammation of the uterine lining (endometritis)
• Endometrial hyperplasia (thickening)
• Medications such as hormone replacement therapy
• Cancer of the uterus, including endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma
• Cancer of the cervix or vagina
• Non-gynaecological causes, such as pelvic trauma or bleeding disorder
• Bleeding from the urinary tract or rectum

Determining the cause of postmenopausal bleeding
The cause of PMB can be determined by physical examination, medical history, and additional laboratory tests. The common tests that are employed are as follow:

• Endometrial biopsy: This procedure involves insertion of a thin tube inside the uterus for withdrawing the samples of uterine lining, for laboratory analysis.
• Hysteroscopy: This procedure involves examination of the uterus through an instrument with a small camera and a light source.
• D&C (dilation and curettage): This procedure involves removal of tissues from the uterine lining, which are sent for laboratory analysis.
• Transvaginal ultrasound: A specially designed imaging device is inserted through the vagina to view the pelvic organs and to identify any abnormaliti

Treatment

Treatment of the PMB depends on the underlying cause of bleeding. Management of some of the common causes of PMB is as follow:

• Polyps: They are surgically removed
• Endometrial atrophy: Treated with medications
• Endometrial hyperplasia: Treated with medications and/or thickened areas of the endometrium are surgically removed
• Endometrial cancer: Treatment involves total hysterectomy i.e. surgical removal of the uterus, cervix and ovaries. In some cases, nearby lymph nodes, and part of the vagina may also be removed.

The treatment of advanced endometrial cancer may include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Early detection and treatment of the cancer can result in full recovery.