Menopause is a natural transition and can affect the lifestyle of women in various ways. The severity of symptoms may vary from woman to woman. These symptoms are common during menopause and are not a cause for concern. Menopause comes with challenging symptoms that include fluctuating hormone levels, which can be the reason for severe symptoms.

Night sweats, anxiety and depression are a few common symptoms that women experience during menopause. The severity of these symptoms may vary among certain women and impact their daily lives. The post menopause symptoms can last for up to 4 to 6 years. However, some women experience severe symptoms that can last for up to 10 years. These symptoms are considered severe and affect the quality of life of women.

However, if you are bleeding after menopause, it is not normal. There must be some underlying condition, and it should always be checked out by a doctor.

Women are said to have their menopause when they do not get their periods for 12 consecutive months. If you experience any bleeding or spotting after this period, seek proper medical attention.

However, you need to understand that post menopausal bleeding is not always cancer. There may be some other health conditions that might cause the bleeding and need to be taken care of immediately by a healthcare expert.

If not cancer, what might be the cause of PMB?

The thought of cancer can be extremely scary, but you need not worry. Most women, around 90% of them, experience post menopausal bleeding; the reason might be something benign. It is non-cancerous and treatable.

There are some common causes that might be the reason for PMB, and 9 out of 10 women can experience PMB due to these less serious and treatable issues.

• Vaginal atrophy:- The most common cause for post menopausal bleeding. The lack of estrogen, a hormone in women, occurs after menopause. The deficiency of this hormone can cause the lining of the uterus and the tissues to become fragile and dry. This makes spotting or bleeding quite common after menopause.

• POLYPS: These non-cancerous growths are small and can be spotted on the lining of the cervix or the uterus. These growths are quite common and can cause slight spotting.

• Endometrial Hyperplasia:- Excess of estrogen in the body can cause the lining of the uterus to become thick. Certain hormone therapies or conditions can cause this. Some forms of this might be precancerous and require treatment to prevent cancer.

• Hormone Therapy:- For women receiving hormone therapy, post menopausal bleeding might be expected. However, unexpected or excessive bleeding might be a cause of concern and require investigation.

• Infections and medications:- Infections in the uterus and cervix might cause inflammation and bleeding. Medications for certain treatments can sometimes cause bleeding.

However, sometimes the PMB might be an early indication of a type of cancer, Endometrial cancer(cancer of the uterine lining). This is why, if you experience PMB, getting it treated by a healthcare expert is extremely important. The doctor conducts tests to check every case and rule out the possibility of cancer.

How to maintain Estrogen Levels to prevent PMB?

High estrogen levels in the body lead to thickening of the uterine lining, which may cause post menopausal bleeding. To prevent PMB, you must maintain estrogen levels in the body.

• Healthy Lifestyle and weight:- Fat is the main cause of excess estrogen in the body. It is important to maintain a healthy weight after menopause to avoid too much estrogen production. High levels of estrogen can cause the uterine lining to thicken, which can be a cause of PMB.

• Pre-existing health conditions like hypertension and diabetes are a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices. These health conditions are causes linked to PMB. These conditions can also increase the chances of endometrial cancer. Smoking is another risk factor for several cancers.

• Certain medications, like Tamoxifen, used in the treatment of breast cancer, can lead to bleeding or spotting. This medicine causes the uterine lining to thicken, which can cause PMB. Therefore, consulting a doctor is essential.

Endometrial cancer: 

In most cases (90% of them), menopausal bleeding might be caused by certain underlying conditions that can be treated. Immediate medical attention is required to identify the cause of the bleeding and receive treatment.

However, in some cases, post-menopausal bleeding might be an indication of something more serious. Endometrial (uterine) cancer might be the cause of bleeding post menopause. About 9% of women with PMB might be diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Therefore, it becomes extremely important to refer to a healthcare professional to rule out the chances of cancer. It has also been noticed that women who are diagnosed with endometrial cancer report menopausal bleeding. If the cancer is detected because of post menopausal bleeding, the cancer is typically at the initial stage.

The detection of cancer at this stage makes the 5-year survival rate very high. This is because the cancer is at its initial stage and can be cured with a surgery, such as a hysterectomy.

Ways of detecting Endometrial cancer: 

• Endometrial Biopsy:- A small tissue sample of the uterus is taken to check for cancerous or precancerous cells. This test is conducted when the ultrasound reports detect some issues. The tissue sample is then examined to check if the bleeding is persistent.

• Transvaginal Ultrasound:- This ultrasound involves a thin probe that is used to get a clear image of the uterus. The doctor measures the thickness of the endometrial lining. If the lining is thicker than 4mm, further examination is needed.

Conclusion: 

Post Menopausal bleeding is a spotting or bleeding that happens twelve months after your last period. To prevent negative outcomes and treatment of underlying issues causing PMB, you must immediately consult a healthcare professional. As mentioned before, PMB can be an early detection of endometrial cancer. Early detection of the cause allows for the condition to be treated at a highly curable stage.