Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB)

Any amount of bleeding through the vagina after menopause is called PMB.

Causes of PMB?

Most common cause is menopause-related thinning of the vaginal lining, Benign growths from the lining of the uterus or cervix(polyps), and the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Rarely, PMB can be from cancer of the cervix, uterus, or vagina.

What do you need to do? 

Take an appointment to see a gynaecologist urgently as it is important to find the source of the bleeding to make a diagnosis. 

Investigations Offered

A thorough internal examination and a pelvic ultrasound scan.You may be advised -hysteroscopy, whereby an endoscope is used to see inside the uterus. This can be done in the outpatient clinic or under general anaesthesia.

You may be advised a biopsy from the lining of the uterus in the clinic or under anaesthesia.

What is the treatment?

Most women do not need any treatment.

Treatment will depend on the cause of the bleeding- your doctor will discuss it with you. 

Remember- More than 90% of women with PMB do not have cancer.

In case there is cancer, it is detected at an early stage so can be treated with a good prognosis.