Menopause Bleeding

Many women have questions about menopause bleeding, which is actually quite common. Typically, as a woman approaches her late forties or early fifties and she begins to have changes with her monthly menstrual cycle, she has a good idea that something is happening. Prior to menopause, a woman will bleed each month as the body naturally sheds tissue that is not needed for pregnancy. However, this tissue buildup only occurs if the woman is still ovulating. Therefore, once a woman begins to enter the years of menopause and the normal production of estrogen and progesterone is reduced and eventually eliminated, the bleeding will change.

For the woman starting into menopause, this sudden change of menstrual cycle can be a little disheartening and even frightening. However, bleeding is expected to be different. For this reason, rather than being upset or nervous about the change, she should understand what is happening with her body, knowing that it is doing exactly what it should be doing. Now, the menopause bleeding can be very different from one woman to another. For example, one woman may experience slight spotting followed by a full-blown period whereas another woman may have heavy bleeding for just a few days. Both are normal and nothing to fear.

Keep in mind that as a woman reaches these years, if she is not sure the problem is associated with menopause bleeding or if she is experiencing other things such as fever, painful urination, and so on that might indicate infection, then of course she should seek professional healthcare. Additionally, when a woman’s body changes during menopause, it is normal for a woman to have vaginal dryness that can be painful during sexual intercourse. In this case, a lubricant is usually the only thing needed to make intimacy more enjoyable. However, other things could be going on to consider.

For example, some women may automatically assume they are dealing with menopause bleeding when in fact, the bleeding could be caused by benign growths in the uterus, she might be experiencing atrophy of the vagina, or perhaps intercourse is rupturing the thinning walls of the vagina. Remember, when hormones change, many things happen. The size of the vagina changes in size, causing the spotting. In fact, experts estimate that in cases of menopause bleeding, as much as 90% is caused by small changes in the body.

It is also possible that women taking hormone replacement therapy may experience problems as would obese women. The amount of bleeding in both cases is usually higher. For heavier women, the reason is simply because estrogen levels are likely different from what a woman at her normal weight would have. For women who have chosen to take hormone replacement therapy, the increase in bleeding is usually because of the hormones in the treatment that can cause the lining of the uterus to grow. If the bleeding should become extremely heavy in any case, the woman should seek medical attention right away. Therefore, while changes in menstrual cycle are expected, it is important to understand that there other possibilities so women should understand their bodies and work closely with a reputable gynecologist.