Menopause bleeding (causes): menopause bleeding (how to stop)

The decrease in the level of female sex hormones, leading to the extinction of the reproductive system, lasts for several years. During this period, ovulation and menstruation cease, and with them the ability to reproduce offspring. But for some, bleeding during menopause continues and is perceived as normal. This is the wrong approach, because after the onset of menopause, bloody discharge may indicate the presence of a pathological process. Yes, only a doctor can determine the cause of the violation, but every woman can recognize the alarm bells.

Menstruation or bleeding

Menstruation, which comes at the beginning of menopause, can be confused with uterine bleeding.

The physiological process of endometrial exfoliation does not harm the body and is not a cause for concern. While large-scale bleeding can cause anemia, it can be fatal. The following criteria will help determine if there is a problem:

• the volume of discharge is not more than 90 g (per cycle);
• the norm is one pad for 3 hours; bleeding - the pad is soaked in less than 1 hour;
• profuse bleeding can begin any day;
• the consistency during bleeding is liquid, with barely noticeable splashes of mucus;
• the norm is dark blood; bleeding is bright scarlet;
• normal menstruation lasts no more than 7 days.

In addition to menstruation, a woman during menopause may have other bleeding.

If you find brown spots or blood from menopause on your underwear, first make sure it is a vaginal discharge. Insert a tampon into the vagina and check for characteristic marks on it. If the surface is clean, then the rectum or bladder is bleeding. A soiled swab indicates a gynecological problem.

If you cannot clarify the pathological focus, contact your gynecologist. A qualified professional will help determine the causes of bleeding during menopause. If the matter is not in gynecological disorders, he will refer you to a urologist or proctologist.

Possible complications

For some reason, it is generally accepted that with the extinction of reproductive functions, any gynecological problems disappear. Some women ignore violations, not wanting to visit a gynecologist "for no reason", and as a result get conditions incompatible with life. Bleeding during or after menopause can become prerequisites for the following disorders:

1. Anemia.
2. Cancer (uterus, cervix, vagina, ovary).
3. Benign neoplasm.
4. Serious hormonal disorder.

About the nature of the discharge

In the menopausal period, the endometrium grows more slowly. This leads to a reduction in the duration of menstruation, an increase in the intervals between them, and then, to a complete cessation of physiological bleeding.

Colorless snot-like vaginal discharge without pain and odor is an indicator of a woman's reproductive health.

The period of menopause is characterized by the extinction of ovarian function, hormonal imbalance, and a decrease in the volume of vaginal secretions. Mucous membranes literally dry out from lack of lubrication, and intercourse brings uncomfortable, painful sensations.

The presence of a sour smell, a change in the volume, consistency and color of the discharge may indicate the presence of a pathological process. Brownish or bloody discharge is considered the most dangerous in menopause.

By type, menopausal bleeding is divided into the following:

1. Organic - associated with pathologies of the kidneys, liver, circulatory and reproductive systems.
2. Iatrogenic - a side effect of certain medications.
3. Dysfunctional - hormonal imbalance, malfunction of the reproductive system.

By type:

1. Menorrhagia - profuse bleeding occurs at the scheduled time and lasts more than 7 days.
2. Metrorrhagia is unexpected, mild bleeding.
3. Menometrorrhagia is large-scale, occurring spontaneously.
4. Polymenorrhea - discharge is often mistaken for menstruation due to some kind of cyclicality. However, the interval between bleeding is no more than 21 days.

The decisive role in determining the causes of bleeding is played by the phase of the menopausal period:

Premenopausal bleeding

During the premenopausal period, not everyone knows how to distinguish physiological menstruation from pathological bleeding with menopause.

Many people perceive bloody discharge as normal and do not rush to see a specialist. Meanwhile, violations flow into dangerous, sometimes incurable diseases. In order to timely recognize the pathology and contact the gynecologist, you should know the possible signs of the problem:

• the duration of menstruation is more than 7-10 days;
• the discharge is either too abundant or scanty;
• the cycle is irregular: less than 21 days pass between periods;
• large clots and tissue particles come out with blood;
• bloody discharge between periods;
• body temperature rises;
• weakness is felt;
• the body becomes covered with sticky sweat;
• severe pain in the lower abdomen;
• during intercourse, bloody discharge appears.

Premenopausal bleeding begins for a number of reasons. Most often, the deviation is triggered by hormonal "swing", which brings the aging of the female body closer. Also, the causes of spotting are dangerous pathologies associated with the following factors:

1. Uncontrolled use of contraceptives and medications.
2. The first menstrual period began before the age of 12.
3. A woman leads the wrong way of life: "bad" diet, addiction to alcohol, smoking, promiscuous sex life, etc.
4. Refusal from natural (breast) feeding.
5. Infectious, inflammatory process in the reproductive system.
6. The interval between births is too long.
7. Neoplasm in the genital organ.
8. Genetic predisposition, etc.

Many women don't see a gynecologist until their period is over. It is not right. Make an appointment immediately after detecting a discharge so that the specialist can identify the source of bleeding as accurately as possible, assess the extent and consistency of the discharge.

Postmenopausal bleeding

Bloody discharge in postmenopausal women is almost always a symptom of a dangerous pathology. The activity of the ovaries is stopped and "safe" bleeding can appear only if hormone-containing drugs are used or atrophy of muscle fibers (mucous membranes are so thin that they are injured even during hygiene procedures, gynecological examinations, genital acts). The rest of the cases indicate the presence of:

• hormonal disorders;
• the formation of fibroids;
• polyps;
• vaginitis;
• endometrial hyperplasia;
• failures of the functionality of the endocrine system.

Also, climacteric postmenopausal bleeding may indicate the presence of tumor processes in the organs of the reproductive system.

Important! Any spotting or minor bleeding that occurs after menopause is a good reason for an urgent visit to the doctor. Even if the symptom appeared 12 months or more after the last menstrual period, everything is not as harmless as it might seem.

Pathological causes

The pathological focus can be the vagina, cervix or uterus. Most often, spotting in menopause indicates the development of the following conditions:

Myoma of the uterus

A tumor of a benign nature is located in the muscular layer of the genital organ. It is very rarely reborn into a malignant one. It may appear long before the onset of menopause, and decrease in size with the onset of premenopause. This is due to a decrease in sex hormone levels. Bloody discharge appears due to the intake of hormonal agents, herbal remedies, or if the fibroid is too large.

"Venereal diseases

With the onset of menopause, women continue to live sexually and stop taking care of protection. This is natural, because ovulation no longer occurs and the need for condoms and oral contraceptives disappears. If a woman does not have a permanent sexual partner, she becomes an easy prey for sexually transmitted diseases. And bleeding from the vagina can signal chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc.

Disruption of metabolic processes

Sometimes bloody marks on linen with menopause appear with obesity, diabetes mellitus, a tendency to high blood pressure.

Polyps of the uterus

A polyp is an overgrown and protruding section of the endometrium into the uterine cavity. It is often formed in women of climacteric age, when there is a radical restructuring of the hormonal background. Sizes range from 2 mm to 2 cm. Bloody discharge appears after damage to the polyp. A structure with a benign structure sometimes contains cancer cells. Small, benign polyps are not treated but kept under constant control. Large lesions are scraped off and checked for malignant cells.

Cervical polyps

If the endometrium overgrows, polyps form on the cervix. They bulge forward, are easily injured and bleed after intercourse, gynecological examination, etc.

Uterine cancer

If the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is affected by malignant cells, a woman of climacteric age begins uterine bleeding. This symptom cannot be ignored, otherwise the disease will develop into an inoperable stage, metastasize and the woman will die. Treatment is based on the type of cancer, its stage, the patient's age, the presence of concomitant pathologies, etc. For the treatment of uterine cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery are used.

Cervical cancer

At an early stage, it is asymptomatic. As it progresses, it causes bleeding, odorless watery discharge, and pain during intimacy. Treatment for cervical cancer is based on the same methods as for endometrial cancer.

Age-related changes in the vagina

With the onset of menopause, sex hormones cease to be produced by the female body. Their absence leads to a change in the quality of vaginal secretions, thinning of the mucous membrane. Even a slight mechanical effect is enough to start bleeding. Irritating factors include cycling, equestrian sports, sexual intercourse, gymnastic exercises, etc. Lubricant gels, estrogen suppositories, hormone therapy will help to cope with age-related inconvenience.

What to do with bleeding

Such a violation requires urgent medical intervention, but at home you can help reduce the volume of secretions and try to stop uterine bleeding that occurs during menopause.

If the discharge is heavy and the pain in the abdomen increases, call an ambulance, take a horizontal position and put something cold on your stomach. Drink more sweet tea, fruit drink.

It is categorically impossible:

• sit in warm, hot water;
• douching;
• lift weights or just exercise;
• have sex;
• lift your legs up while lying down.

Avoid taking pain pills to avoid making it difficult for your doctor to make a diagnosis.

If the discharge is not abundant and is repeated systematically, you need to be examined by a gynecologist. Based on the examination and test results, the specialist will prescribe treatment: the hormonal background is normalized with medication, the uterine fibroids are removed, the polyps are scraped out, etc. The malignant neoplasm is removed together with the affected organ.

If the doctor permits, you can supplement the main treatment with traditional medicine recipes. To stop bleeding, the following are suitable:

1. Nettle - 2 tbsp. Spoons of dry leaves pour 100 ml of water and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Strain and drink a tablespoon 5 times a day.
2. Viburnum berries - grind ripe berries in a blender, add a little granulated sugar and dilute with water 1: 1. Eat a tablespoon three times a day.
3. Yarrow - 2 tsp tablespoons of dry herbs pour 200 ml of boiling water, cover and leave for an hour. Drink the filtered infusion ¼ cup four times a day.
4. Beet juice - Take 1/3 cup fresh beet juice three times a day.
5. Citrus peel - skins with 5 oranges pour 1.5 liters of boiling water, after an hour strain and drink 4 tbsp. spoons up to 5 times a day.

Faced with bleeding in premenopausal women and menopause, do not ask: what to do with it at home on Internet forums and do not rush to fix the problem yourself. Neglect of medical attention can lead to health and life-threatening consequences. Only a qualified gynecologist can determine the cause of the deviation, prescribe adequate safe therapy.