What is post-menopausal bleeding?

Post-menopausal bleeding is experiencing bleeding from your vagina after you have reached menopause and your periods have stopped.

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What causes post-menopausal bleeding?

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Post-menopausal bleeding may not be anything to worry about, but it can sometimes be a sign of cancer, so it is essential to get checked out even if you have experienced a small amount of blood.​

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Usually, bleeding after intercourse is caused by:

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• Inflammation and thinning of the vaginal lining (atrophic vaginitis) or womb lining (endometrial atrophy) – caused by lower oestrogen levels
• Cervical or womb polyps – growths that are usually non-cancerous
• A thickened womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia) – this can be caused by hormone replacement therapy (HRT), high levels of oestrogen or being overweight, and can lead to womb cancer

Less commonly, postmenopausal bleeding can be caused by cancer, such as ovarian and womb cancer.

What tests are carried out for post-menopausal bleeding?

You will be given a few tests such as a pelvic examination, an internal ultrasound scan and, if required, a hysteroscopy to examine your uterus and take a biopsy.

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