Postmenopausal Bleeding Management in Ocala, FL
If you’re experiencing vaginal bleeding after menopause, you should know that it is abnormal, and you should consult Dr. Riley right away.
Menopause means that you have not experienced a period in the last 12 months. For most women, menopause begins around the age of 50, but for some, the process happens in their mid-40s. According to Medical News Today, around 4 to 11 percent of women experience vaginal bleeding after they go through menopause.
The bleeding pattern can range from light spotting to a heavy flow, similar to a regular period. Sometimes there is no pain associated with the bleeding. However, it’s imperative to schedule an appointment with Dr. Riley at Florida Women’s Health promptly in order to rule out serious cases, like cancer.
What Causes Postmenopausal Bleeding?
There are a variety of causes to bleeding after menopause but experts say the most common is hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Women who undergo HRT may experience postmenopausal bleeding due to the uterine lining being sensitive to estrogen, which promotes growth of the endometrium, relative to the normal reproductive cycle that was operative before menopause.
On the other hand, lack of estrogen can cause atrophy of the uterine lining, which leads to the blood vessels of the lining becoming so fragile, causing them to spontaneously break and bleed.
Other causes of postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) include cancer of the uterus, cervix or vagina, uterine fibroids, pelvic trauma, bleeding from the urinary tract or rectum, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), infection of the uterine lining (endometritis) and uterine polyps-non cancerous growths that have the potential of becoming cancerous.
How is Postmenopausal Bleeding Diagnosed and Treated?
In order to determine the exact cause of your vaginal bleeding, Dr. Riley will administer a pelvic exam and review your medical history. During the exam, Dr. Riley may also feel the size of your uterus and could suggest a pelvic ultrasound to examine your uterus more closely. Additionally, a biopsy may be performed in order to take a tissue sample from the lining of your uterus.
In more complex cases, a diagnostic hysteroscopy with dilation and curettage could be administered. During this procedure, Dr. Riley will place a camera into your vagina, through the cervix and into your uterus. Cells are then extracted from the uterus lining and sent to a lab for testing.
Treatment for PMB depends on the exact cause of the bleeding. Dr. Riley will need to know how long you’ve been bleeding, the amount of blood flow and additional pain or other symptoms you are experiencing in order to help determine the best treatment option for you.
When Should I See Florida Women’s Health?
If you are experiencing vaginal bleeding and have gone through menopause, then you should call Dr. Riley immediately. Since postmenopausal bleeding is not normal, it’s important to figure out what the root cause is sooner rather than later. Call our office in Ocala, FL today at (352) 820-4392 to schedule an appointment.
