Postmenopausal Bleeding

Postmenopausal bleeding is any bleeding that happens after menopause. Menopause is when a woman’s period stops. Any type of bleeding after menopause should be checked by your doctor. Treatment will depend on the cause.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Pay attention to any changes in your symptoms.
• Avoid using tampons and douches as told by your doctor.
• Change your pads regularly.
• Get regular pelvic exams and Pap tests.
• Take iron pills as told by your doctor.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• Your bleeding lasts for more than 1 week.
• You have belly (abdominal) pain.
• You have bleeding during or after sex (intercourse).
• You have bleeding that happens more often than every 3 weeks.

Get help right away if:

• You have a fever, chills, a headache, dizziness, muscle aches, and bleeding.
• You have strong pain with bleeding.
• You have clumps of blood (blood clots) coming from your vagina.
• You have a lot of bleeding and:
  • You need more than 1 pad an hour.
  • This has never happened before.
• You feel like you are going to pass out (faint).

Summary

• Any type of bleeding after menopause should be checked by your doctor.
• Pay attention to any changes in your symptoms.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor.