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Is Bleeding after Menopause Normal?

By Tracee Cornforth, About.com

Updated September 07, 2004

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Question: Is Bleeding after Menopause Normal?
Answer: While it's normal to experience changes in bleeding as you near menopause, bleeding after menopause has happened is a sign to call your health care provider.

Sometimes, due to the decline in estrogen that occurs postmenopause, the lining of the vagina becomes thin, dry, and less elastic. This can lead to broken or inflammed vaginal tissue that may cause bleeding. Occasionally injury may occur during sex or pelvic exam.

Always call your health care provider when you experience bleeding after menopause. The cause of uterine bleeding postmenopause may be harmless; however, it's important to understand that there may be other causes of abnormal bleeding such as:

  • uterine fibroid tumors
  • a hormonal imbalance
  • the use of birth control pills
  • non-cancerous growths in the lining of the uterus

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