Features of uterine bleeding in menopause. Uterine bleeding after menopause Bloody discharge in older women

Uterine bleeding (in medical terminology, menometrorrhagia) means abnormal blood discharge from the uterus, not associated with menstruation and physiological discharge after childbirth.

Uterine bleeding in an elderly woman aged 80 may indicate the development of some serious pathology. Timely appeal for qualified help will allow to stop abnormal hemorrhage in time and avoid further development of the disease.

Similar pathological changes in the female body appear in older women during menopause and menopause. At this stage of life, a woman is obliged to be attentive to her health, and immediately respond to any changes. It should be noted that only a gynecologist should stop uterine bleeding, treating the problem at home can lead to irreparable consequences.

Physiological features of the menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is a complex mechanism, where there is a direct and inverse relationship between levels of regulation. For a simpler understanding, this mechanism can be compared to a five-story building, where each floor interacts with the floor below and above. None of these floors is able to function independently.

Table number 1. The interaction of the "floors" of the menstrual cycle.

"Floor" mechanism	Interaction
	This is the main executive body, influenced by all higher levels of regulation. Accordingly, uterine bleeding is the main symptom, meaning the development of a particular pathology. Treatment in this case depends on establishing the cause of bleeding, symptomatic therapy does not represent a fight against the problem.
	These are endocrine glands that produce a huge number of such sex hormones: estrogen; progesterone; androgen. The ovaries, like the uterus, are subject to the influence of other levels of regulation that are localized above.
	The pituitary gland is responsible for the production of the following hormones: FGS (follicle stimulating hormone). This hormone is responsible for the mechanism of maturation of the follicle in the ovaries. LH (luteinizing). The peak of production of this hormone provokes ovulation, which means the release of the egg from the ovaries.
	The hypothalamus produces antagonists (liberins and statins), which in turn suppress the production of pituitary hormones. In the system of the menstrual cycle, an important role is played by the cyclical flow of hormones into the bloodstream. According to medical observations, the hormones of the hypothalamus should enter the bloodstream with a regularity of 1 hour.
	This is the central nervous system. Thus, it turns out that any stressful influence sends signals to the cerebral cortex, from where they then go to all the other “floors” of the cycle regulation, which gives a strong effect on the cycle itself. This explains the numerous causes of uterine bleeding caused by stressful situations in women.

Note. Uterine bleeding is one of the most common signs with which a woman goes to the doctor. Such a symptom can appear both in very young representatives of the weaker sex, and in women who have been in menopause for more than 20 years.

There can be many reasons for the appearance of such a dangerous symptom, so treatment is aimed at establishing the root cause, and then at eliminating the symptom itself.

Sometimes in women during menopause, bleeding is not a serious reason to sound the alarm, as minor changes in reproductive function can contribute to it. Such bleeding is easily amenable to conservative therapy and completely disappears in a short time.

But, sometimes, bleeding during menopause is severe and means the development of complex diseases, including malignant neoplasms. The establishment of predisposing factors, the age and physiological characteristics of a woman will help to understand the cause of the appearance of physiological blood discharge.

Classification of uterine bleeding

Abnormal bleeding is classified by doctors according to many criteria.

These include:

• cause;
• frequency;
• abundance;
• period of menstruation.

The origins are as follows:

• uterine;
• ovarian;
• iatrogenic;
• dysfunctional.

At the same time, dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is divided according to the nature of cyclic disturbances.

Table number 2. Classification of dysfunctional uterine bleeding:

Type of	Description
Anovulatory	This type of bleeding from the uterus is also called single-phase DUB. Appear as a result of short-term atresia or persistence (long-term survival) of the follicles.
promenorrhea	The cyclicity of menstruation is not broken, but their duration is 7 or more days.
ovulatory	It is also called a two-phase DMK. This type of bleeding often occurs in women of reproductive age. These include hypo- and hyperfunction of the corpus luteum.
metrorrhagia	With this type, the disorder of the cycle is noted, which does not have a certain interval between blood loss. They have nothing to do with menstruation.
Polymenorrhea	Uterine blood loss occurs at least once every 20 days.

Blood loss from the uterus can be diagnosed in women of any age, while they have their own characteristics of the course.

Based on these criteria, there are:

1. Juvenile bleeding. It occurs in girls under the age of 18.
2. Reproductive. Appear in women aged 18 years and before the onset of menopause.
3. Peri- and post-menopause. During this period, as a rule, dysfunctional MC appear, which is caused by a disorder of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.

Attention. The risk of bleeding in older women is due to the risk of developing malignant tumors. Indeed, during menopause, the monthly cycle completely stops, and the appearance of blood discharge in frequent cases indicates the development of some kind of severe pathology.

Etiology of uterine bleeding

The appearance of spotting in older women almost always means danger, as it is often a sign of the development of cancer. When a problem occurs, you should immediately sound the alarm, frivolity can lead to the most unpredictable consequences.

Abnormal bleeding from the uterus can be called any physiological bleeding that appears regardless of the regularity of the menstrual cycle.

Abnormal gynecologists include discharge:

• if their duration is 7 or more days;
• the volume of blood loss is more than 80 ml per day;
• the time period between bleeding is less than 21 days (menstrual cycle).

For a complete and accurate diagnosis of an anomaly, doctors take into account such indicators as the frequency, regularity or irregularity of occurrence, the amount of blood loss, duration, relationship with reproductive age and hormonal levels.

Causes of blood loss can be conditionally divided into 2 groups:

1. associated with reproductive diseases.
2. associated with systemic disorders.

As for bleeding associated with systemic disorders, in this case, provocative factors are:

• blood diseases with thrombocytopenia;
• blood clotting disorders;
• vascular pathologies;
• numerous infectious diseases.

Reproductive diseases that cause bleeding from the uterus are diverse. These can be inflammatory, atrophic and hypertrophic changes in the uterus itself and genital organs. Hormonal imbalance also often causes bleeding.

The pathological condition in older women is caused by such diseases:

• uterine fibroids (leiomyoma, fibromyoma);
• polyps;
• endometriosis;
• ovulatory dysfunction;
• iatrogenic MK;
• endometrial cancer;
• a spiral standing in the uterus for a long time;
• diseases of the cervix;
• tumor formations;
• ovarian dysfunction;
• endometrial hyperplasia.

Attention. The main difference between bleeding from the uterus in women in old age is the risk of developing oncology.

During menopause, a woman should no longer have any bleeding from the uterus, as all reproductive processes stop. During this period, all processes of the menstrual cycle stop.

In this case, pregnancy is impossible, since the endometrial mucosa of the uterus becomes thin, the ovaries become smaller, sex hormones are not produced, and the process of follicle formation stops. But not always menopause becomes a lull for the female body, spotting in old age makes you worry and seek help from doctors, because MK always means a pathological condition.

Important. Even the smallest discharge, having droplets of blood, is considered a pathology.

Myoma

A benign tumor appears in the muscular layer of the uterus (myometrium) - this is a fibroid. Among all the requests of patients over the age of 50, fibroids are diagnosed in 80%.

In reproductive age, fibroids may not make themselves felt by any signs, and with the cessation of the menstrual cycle, a woman discovers the appearance of spotting.

The growth of a benign tumor is affected by sex hormones, therefore, with the onset of menopause and the cessation of the production of these hormones, fibroids stop developing. If there is further growth of the tumor, soreness and frequent bleeding, this may indicate the development of a malignant tumor.

Attention. Patients with large fibroids during menopause are invited to undergo treatment based on the surgical removal of the neoplasm. Sometimes a decision is made to remove the uterus completely, depending on the size of the fibroids.

The reasons for the development of fibroids are as follows:

• frequent stress;
• abortions;
• heredity;
• infertility;
• diabetes;
• excess weight.

polyps

A polyp is a kind of convex thickening with a glandular or fibrous structure. Formed in a specific area of ​​the penis. The formation of polyps is accompanied by bleeding from the uterus.

If a woman is of reproductive age, she takes this bleeding for a normal menstrual cycle, however, it has a longer duration (7 or more days). At the same time, polyps cause severe pain, especially disturbing during intercourse.

In such situations, the doctor prescribes a cardinal treatment based on the surgical removal of neoplasms.

Diagnosis of polyps allows ultrasound examination. Therefore, a woman during menopause should visit a gynecologist at least 2 times a year and undergo a complete diagnosis.

endometriosis

Endometriosis is a disease accompanied by the growth of endocrine cells of the uterus outside the walls.

Table number 3. Types of endometriosis:

With endometriosis of any type, a woman feels:

• soreness in the pelvic peritoneum;
• difficulty with bowel movements;
• difficulty emptying the bladder;
• irregular uterine bleeding.

Further development of the pathological process carries the risk of tissue degeneration into malignant tumors.

Ovulatory dysfunction

Ovulatory dysfunction is associated with hormonal disorders and a violation of the corpus luteum. In such situations, a complex and serious process of hormonal failure is noted, they are directly associated with the thyroid gland and the gopothalamo-pituitary system.

The reasons may be:

• excessive physical activity;
• sudden weight loss;
• stressful situations.

Iatrogenic MK

Iatrogenic uterine bleeding occurs against the background of taking medications and instrumental interventions.

Common causes of iatrogenic MK:

• taking oral contraceptives;
• taking antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants;
• taking certain types of antibacterial drugs;
• exposure to glucocorticosteroids.

Diagnosing iatrogenic MK is quite difficult; even a highly qualified gynecologist is not always able to do this.

Tumor formations

One of the most common causes of MC in older women is the appearance of a tumor in the ovaries and the growth of a cyst. If a tumor is found in a woman during menopause, it is almost always a danger to her life.

Important. According to medical statistics, in elderly women, a tumor of the serous cystadenoma type is most often diagnosed. In second place in development is papillary serous cystadenoma. A step below appears endometrioma and dermoid cyst.

The treatment method is selected by the attending physician based on the nature of the tumor and the course of the pathological process. To determine these indicators, the patient undergoes a number of diagnostic measures.

If a woman has frequent bleeding, the doctor determines the need for surgical cleaning of the uterus. If the results of the biopsy showed a malignant nature of the formation, then after removal of the tumor, chemotherapy is mandatory.

Attention. The earlier a cancerous tumor is diagnosed, the higher the chances of recovery.

Ovarian dysfunction

Ovarian dysfunction is the most common problem in premenopausal women. At this time, the production of sex hormones stops in the body, against which inflammatory processes and endocrine diseases may appear.

The problem is accompanied by irregular MK, which have different intensities.

Diseases of the cervix

Not all abnormal bleeding from the uterus is caused by pathological processes in the uterus and ovaries, often cervical diseases become the cause of MK.

Oncological diseases of the cervix provokes the papilloma virus. To determine the presence of a pathological agent allows blood tests for HPV and ultrasound examination.

Attention. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to completely get rid of an oncological disease, however, if you start treatment in the early stages of the development of the disease, you can slow down the process of its progression.

Other reasons

In addition to the reasons described in our article, uterine bleeding can be triggered by the influence of other factors.

Table number 4. Other causes of uterine bleeding in older women:

Cause	Effect on the female body
	With hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism (deficiency and excess of thyroid hormones), a woman may experience irregular abundant blood discharge, or the opposite phenomenon is noted - the absence of menstruation (if the woman is still of reproductive age).
	Taking oral contraceptives can cause irregular bleeding from the uterus. In the presence of an intrauterine device, the discharge may be more abundant and more painful.
	Even during menopause, a woman has a small chance of getting pregnant. Uterine bleeding in this case means: the threat of miscarriage; ectopic pregnancy; placenta previa.
	In the presence of blood clotting disorders, irregular menstrual cycles are observed.
	Polycystic ovary causes endocrine disorders and the inability to release a mature egg. In such situations, a woman either has no bleeding from the uterus at all, or they are rather scarce and rare. If bleeding nevertheless opens, then they differ in their duration, profusion and soreness, this condition is facilitated by the growth of the endometrium of the uterus.

Any bleeding from the uterus, of varying intensity and volume, should not be ignored by women who are in the menopause period. All of them are dangerous, because the cause of their appearance is always some kind of pathological process in the body.

Clinical picture of uterine bleeding

In women, with the onset of 50 years, a period of menopause begins, however, for each woman this period begins in different ways. Menopause is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, and then there is a lull.

Sudden bleeding makes you worry and consult a doctor, because it always means the development of a particular pathology. To recognize abnormal uterine bleeding, one should observe their nature and the state of the body during this period.

Symptoms of menometrorrhagia include:

• profusion of blood secretions, or, conversely, their scarcity;
• the presence of blood clots;
• the duration of menstruation is more than 7 days;
• low blood pressure;
• dizziness;
• general weakness;
• pallor of the skin;
• the appearance of discharge after intimacy.

When abnormal bleeding occurs, a woman has a high abundance of discharge. It happens that in 1 hour a tampon or pad is filled to capacity. At the same time, weakness and dizziness indicate a pathological condition.

Attention. If all the signs of menometrorrhagia are present, in addition, pain in the lower abdomen is added, however, there is no bleeding, then this complicates the situation, since internal uterine bleeding may open. The patient urgently needs medical attention.

Diagnostics

To determine the cause of bleeding, the doctor prescribes instrumental diagnostic methods and laboratory tests, while before starting diagnostic measures, he must carefully collect the patient's history and examine her genitals.

The most widespread and informative methods of instrumental diagnostics are:

• transvaginal ultrasound;
• positron emission tomography;
• saline infusion sonohysterography;
• biopsy of the inner mucous layer of the uterus;
• hysteroscopy;
• colposcopy.

As laboratory diagnostic methods, detailed information about the patient's health condition is given by:

• complete blood count with platelets;
• analysis of thyroid hormones and sex hormones;
• blood clotting test;
• tumor markers;
• pregnancy test.

After a complete examination, the doctor establishes a diagnosis and prescribes the appropriate treatment.

Treatment of MK in older women

The tactics of treating uterine bleeding depends on the cause that caused the unpleasant symptom. As a rule, in old age, bleeding is serious; in some situations, only surgical intervention can correct the situation.

Table number 5. The tactics of treating uterine bleeding in elderly women, depending on the cause that provoked the pathological condition:

Pathology	Treatment tactics
Identification of the pathology of the endometrium of the uterus or polyps, with alertness to oncological diseases.	Among all the methods of treatment, one of the most common in such situations is surgical curettage of the uterine cavity and cervical canal. After the procedure, the biomaterial is subject to histological examination, in order to confirm or refute the oncological disease. After cleaning, the patient is prescribed hemostatic drugs and astrogens.
Myoma	When diagnosing fibroids, the doctor prescribes hysteroresectoscopy with the removal of the fibroid node. If the formation is so extensive, the need to remove the entire uterus along with the appendages is determined.
"Forgotten" spiral	Many women, due to their frivolity, can simply forget about the spiral set 5 years ago, or consider that its presence cannot negatively affect their health. After 5 years, any uterine spiral is subject to extraction. After the operation, it is necessary to verify the integrity of the walls of the organ with the help of ultrasound. As a restorative therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.
Low hemoglobin concentration	Low hemoglobin is often a consequence of the development of many pathological conditions, one of the first is fibroids. In addition, with a deficiency of a substance in a person, there is a deterioration in well-being, weakness and dizziness. Depending on the degree of hemoglobin concentration, the doctor prescribes iron medications. It can be injections or tablets.

Attention. Medical observations prove that in women who are in menopause, in 70% of all cases of treatment with a symptom of MK, endometrial cancer is diagnosed.

Timely diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding allows you to learn in time about the development of the oncological process and stop further deterioration of the condition. In addition, surgical scraping of the biomaterial allows you to verify the nature of the tumor: benign or malignant.

Effects

A frivolous attitude to uterine blood loss can lead to the most unpredictable and dangerous consequences, up to and including death.

The most dangerous are:

• posthemorrhagic anemia;
• hemorrhagic shock.

Such complications give heavy bleeding. Often complications are infection by an ascending method, as a result, secondary complications appear in the form of purulent myometritis.

When fibroids are neglected, a woman develops severe pain in the lower abdomen, accompanied by profuse blood loss. This situation requires immediate surgical intervention.

Important. Atypical bleeding from the uterus in any situation requires medical attention. Self-medication can aggravate the situation and lead to severe and irreparable consequences.

Summing up, we note that the information provided in our editorial office is informative, and starting diagnosis and treatment on your own is dangerous for a woman's life. Only high-quality professional help will stop or eliminate the pathological processes developing in the reproductive organ.

The video in this article will provide brief information about the development, course and consequences of uterine bleeding in older women.

In contact with

At the age after menopause, the main pathology, which should attract special attention, is cancer of the genital organs. The physician must, however, remember how many cases of malignant lesions of the genital organs also occur in the late reproductive period, before the onset of menopause. Examination of 40-year-old patients should be carried out in full and just as carefully.

Benign diseases of the vagina

Atrophic or hydrocyanic vaginitis is the most common cause of vaginal bleeding in women after menopause. The lack of estrogen causes atrophic changes in the vaginal mucosa, as a result of which it becomes smooth and very thin, easily ulcerated and infected.

Bleeding from the vaginal wall is usually very scanty and is characterized by patients as a drop or spotting brownish discharge. Pelvic examination may reveal symptoms of vaginitis (often with signs of a secondary fungal infection) and multiple petechiae in the vaginal mucosa. In patients who are sexually active, small abrasions can sometimes be observed.

Treatment consists of suppressing the infection and administering estrogens orally or topically in the form of vaginal ointments. Drugs applied topically are well absorbed and have a systemic effect comparable to that obtained by ingestion. Therefore, patients receiving topical treatment should be monitored as carefully as those receiving systemic estrogen treatment for other diseases.

Malignant tumors

Most of them are the result of invasion of endometrial or cervical cancer. Of the primary cancerous tumors of the vagina, squamous cell carcinoma is the most common at this age, which was the cause of postmenopausal bleeding in 0.7% of women from a large group of patients.

The average age of patients is 65 years, with two-thirds of them over 50 years old. A characteristic symptom of the disease is bleeding from the vagina, observed in 50.0-83.7% of patients with vaginal cancer. Bleeding may be postcoital or spontaneous. However, many of these patients are asymptomatic, which makes it necessary to conduct regular preventive examinations with the taking of smears for cytological examination, even in the absence of a uterus.

Diagnosis in patients presenting with bleeding from the vagina can be made after examining its walls with the help of mirrors. The most characteristic localization of lesions is the upper third of the vagina. Treatment (surgical or radiation) depends on the stage of the disease and the age of the patient; in the early stages of the disease, preservation of vaginal function may be considered.

Diseases of the cervix and body of the uterus

The cause of bleeding in most postmenopausal patients cannot be determined by physical examination alone. Several studies report different rates of bleeding in malignant lesions.

The incidence of cervical cancer reaches its peak in the age group of 40-60 years. Endometrial adenocarcinoma is a typical malignant disease that causes postmenopausal bleeding. It affects 20 out of every 100,000 women and is most common in women over the age of 60. The incidence of endometrial adenocarcinoma has increased, and at present, cancer of the uterine body is observed as often as cervical cancer. This is mainly due to the increase in the average life expectancy of women. Diagnostic curettage of the endometrium is a painful procedure and gives only 28-86% correct answers. We prefer to use vacuum aspiration biopsy in these cases.

Obesity, absence of labor and oligoovulation (history), high blood pressure, and diabetes suggest a high risk of adenocarcinoma. Estrogen treatment in postmenopausal patients is also a risk factor. Patients taking exogenous estrogens should be regularly and carefully examined and warned about this risk. In some groups, up to 50% of patients with postmenopausal bleeding could be identified in the anamnesis of various forms of estrogen treatment. Bleeding is the main and usually the only sign of endometrial carcinoma. Sometimes the tumor spreads to the cervix, causing obstruction of the cervical canal, which causes pio- or hematomas. In these cases, a bimanual examination may reveal an enlarged and painful uterus.

The most accurate diagnostic method is fractional curettage of the walls of the uterine cavity. Depending on the condition of the patient and the desire of the surgeon, anesthesia can be local (paracervical) or general. General anesthesia provides an opportunity for a better examination of the pelvic organs. Only an experienced doctor can curettage the walls of the uterine cavity in outpatient conditions.

The prognosis of endometrial carcinoma depends on the degree of differentiation of the tumor, the size of the uterus, the degree of invasion into the myometrium and its spread to the cervix. The nature of treatment should be determined by the combination of all these factors.

Other (more rare) malignant lesions of the uterus - sarcomas and mixed mesodermal tumors are also accompanied by bleeding from the genital tract. Together, they account for less than 1% of malignant lesions of the genital organs. Leiomyosarcoma is usually diagnosed by examining the removed tumor under a microscope. Mixed mesodermal tumors or carcinosarcomas may be accompanied by severe bleeding and pain in the lower abdomen. Examination with mirrors sometimes reveals a gaping cervical canal containing tumor masses.

Tubal carcinoma is uncommon in this age group and is rarely associated with bleeding. The classic manifestations of the disease are intermittent watery leucorrhoea in the absence of an infectious process in the vagina and tumor-like formations in the area of ​​​​the uterine appendages. Tubal carcinoma should always be considered in patients with ongoing bleeding after menopause, when pelvic examination and diagnostic curettage of the uterine cavity do not reveal any other causes of bleeding.

Benign processes

Of the benign diseases accompanied by postmenopausal bleeding from the genital tract, the most common (in addition to atrophic vaginitis) are polyps, atrophy and hyperplasia of the endometrium.

Why bleeding occurs in patients with endometrial atrophy is not very clear. The cause may be arteriosclerotic changes in the myometrium, leading to increased vascular fragility and rupture of atrophic endometrial cysts. In these patients, uterine prolapse is also very often noted, possibly associated with venous stasis. Endometrial polyps after diagnostic curettage of the walls of the uterine cavity do not require further treatment. Monitoring of patients with hyperplastic changes in the endometrium in the pre- and postmenopausal period should be regular. The use of hormonal therapy is quite an adequate measure in order to cause regression of the disease in most cases. The lack of an appropriate effect after the introduction of progestogenic drugs or recurrent bleeding are indications for hysterectomy.

Studies have shown that the prognosis for bleeding of benign etiology that occurs after menopause is quite good: in 92% of cases, malignant diseases do not develop, but, however, it is necessary to ensure careful dispensary monitoring of these patients in order to detect signs of malignancy in them early.

J.P. Balmaceda

"Bleeding after menopause" and other articles from the section

Women are irritated by these symptoms, and they often use various drugs to sanitize the vagina themselves, without consulting a doctor.

Etiology

1. Atrophic vaginitis and poor hygiene of the genitals.
2. Infection or ulceration of the mucosa as a result of the use of vaginal rings (pessaries).
3. malignant process.

Symptoms

It is not uncommon for women to hide their symptoms, hoping they will go away on their own.

1. The appearance of stains on underwear.
2. Bad smell from the vagina.
3. Intermittent spotting and frequent urge to urinate and defecate.

Bloody discharge in gynecology

Bloody discharge in girls

Bloody discharge in girls

Most often, these are uterine bleeding, which are a violation of the menstrual cycle in older girls. They are also often called dysfunctional - associated with violations of the hormonal function of the ovaries.

• pathology of the development of the genital organs;
• infectious diseases;
• psychological and physical stress;
• improper nutrition.

It was noted that juvenile bleeding in girls is more often observed in winter or early spring, which is associated with a lack of intake of vitamins from food.

Most often, spotting in girls appears after a delay in the next menstruation for several weeks. They usually last more than a week. In some cases, such juvenile bleeding can be observed for several months, periodically weakening, then intensifying. With such prolonged bleeding, the patient's condition can be quite severe. Intense and prolonged spotting can lead to the development of anemia. This condition requires urgent medical attention.

Adequate therapy of juvenile bleeding is necessary in order to avoid such severe complications as hemorrhagic shock or anemia.

Bloody discharge in women of reproductive age

When can they normally meet?

Bloody discharge from the vagina as a sign of pathology

If a woman has profuse bleeding that is not related to the physiological menstrual cycle, this is a sign of a serious pathology. Such a patient should be examined by a gynecologist as soon as possible. This symptom is potentially life-threatening for a woman, and the loss of time can result in serious consequences for women's health.

If spotting, not associated with the menstrual cycle, is scarce, then they may indicate the following pathologies:

• menstrual irregularities;
• the presence of endometriosis;
• erosion of the cervix in severe form;
• cervical cancer;
• infectious lesions (with systematic spotting spotting, associated or not associated with the days of the menstrual cycle, and having a fetid odor).

The relationship of bleeding with the menstrual cycle

Bloody discharge after menstruation and before them is a fairly common occurrence. In her life, almost every woman at least once noticed unexpected vaginal bleeding.

• hormonal disorders in the body with various diseases and stress;
• endocrine pathologies, most often - a small amount of thyroid hormones;
• stopping or starting hormonal contraceptives;
• the use of emergency contraceptive drugs: Postinor, Ginepriston, etc.;
• certain medications, and starting or stopping estrogen supplements.

Bloody discharge in the middle of the menstrual cycle

Experts say that intermenstrual light bleeding from the vagina is a phenomenon that does not pose a danger. It is caused by hormonal fluctuations associated with the onset of ovulation. Bloody discharge between periods occurs in almost 30% of women.

• small total volume (spotting spotting);
• duration - no more than 72 hours;
• slimy consistency of scarlet, pinkish or brown;
• no need to use feminine hygiene products;
• the examination does not determine other causes of bleeding from the genital organs.

Often, unexpected spotting from the genital tract, even a small amount, can also be a sign of gynecological diseases.

The most common cause of uterine bleeding between periods in a healthy woman is a sudden sharp fluctuation in the level of estrogen in the body. During ovulation, the level of this hormone rises rapidly. And since it affects the lining of the uterus, a similar symptom appears. Bloody discharge during or after ovulation is considered a physiological norm if no signs of other diseases are found during a medical examination. However, they are subject to medical correction. For the treatment and prevention of such hormonal surges, a woman is usually advised to avoid stressful situations and prescribe herbal preparations.

• the release of the egg from the follicle at the time of ovulation;
• the presence of an intrauterine device;
• taking hormonal contraceptives;
• the use of certain other drugs that affect the menstrual cycle;
• performing gynecological procedures, for example, cauterization or conization of the cervix;
• low functional activity of the thyroid gland;
• polyposis, endometriosis, cervical erosion, chronic inflammation of the uterus (endometritis);
• miscarriages;
• genital infections (for example, gonorrhea);
• genital injuries;
• fibromas and other tumors of the genital organs.

Bloody discharge during menstruation

Of course, bleeding is an integral part of menstruation. However, in some cases, a change in the consistency of the discharge may be a sign of pathology.

• pathological bend of the cervix;
• violation of blood clotting and a tendency to thrombosis;
• insufficiency of vitamins of group B;
• pathological processes in the uterus (myoma, polyp, endometriosis).

Bloody discharge before menstruation, after them and in the middle of the cycle, require special attention and a thorough examination, which should include:

• consultation with a gynecologist;
• bacteriological and microscopic analysis of secretions;
• colposcopy;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs.

Bloody discharge during pregnancy

Minor bleeding from the genital tract can occur when a fertilized egg (implantation) is introduced into the wall of the uterus. It is associated with microscopic damage to the uterus and possible traumatization of small vessels in it. Such secretions, called implantation ones, are scarce, hardly noticeable and do not pose any threat to health.

A woman should be alerted to any spotting (of any duration, in any amount, of any color) that occurs during pregnancy, even if they are not accompanied by pain. The reason for such allocations may be:

• premature detachment of the placenta;
• detachment of the fetal egg;
• improper location of the placenta (previa);
• threatened miscarriage.

Such spotting is often brown in color, and can appear at almost any stage of pregnancy.

With the appearance of such spotting during pregnancy, it is necessary to observe bed rest and complete rest. In addition, gynecologists almost always recommend urgent hospitalization. The health and life of a pregnant woman and her child may depend on this.

In the early stages of pregnancy, the appearance of spotting can mean the threat of spontaneous miscarriage. As a rule, such discharge in the first trimester occurs if the process of rejection of the fetal egg begins. Therefore, in order to prevent abortion and the threat of losing a child, a woman must be hospitalized in the gynecological department as soon as possible. Only specialists in a hospital will be able to carry out all the necessary measures aimed at maintaining pregnancy.

At a later date, spotting may indicate a threat of premature placental abruption, or indicate a premature onset of labor. In such cases, emergency assistance from gynecologists is needed.

Bloody discharge during miscarriage

Bloody discharge after childbirth

Bloody discharge after examination by a gynecologist

Bleeding after an abortion

1. Two sanitary pads of the largest size are completely soaked with blood within an hour.

2. This has been going on for over two hours straight.

Bloody discharge after intercourse

The release of blood after sex from the genitals can be caused by physical impact. Most often, these are injuries that a woman can get in the process of too rough or active sex:

• injuries and ruptures of the walls or fornix of the vagina;
• damage to the mucous membrane of the cervix;
• damage to the eroded cervix.

The likelihood of injury or rupture of the vaginal wall is especially high if the pain and blood appear unexpectedly, right during intercourse, and the bleeding is quite heavy. In such cases, you must immediately call an ambulance, as with any serious injury, accompanied by bleeding.

Often the cause of bleeding after sexual intercourse can be an infectious lesion - chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases. Another symptom of an infectious pathology of the reproductive system is the addition of a fetid odor to the secretions.

Bloody discharge after and during sex can occur due to inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs. Most often, bleeding after sex occurs with cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix) or vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina). In both cases, bleeding from the genitals of a woman occurs not only after sex. Sexual intercourse in this situation is only a stimulating factor.

A common cause of spotting after sex is polyps and erosion of the cervix. Such secretions, as a rule, are very transient, disappear in just a few hours, but resume again at the next sexual contact. To get rid of this symptom, you need to contact a gynecologist and undergo a course of treatment for cervical erosion. But polyps, which can cause the development of malignant tumors in the future, must be removed.

Bleeding after sexual intercourse may be due to the use of certain medicines that reduce blood clotting (such as aspirin) and birth control. Taking such drugs is associated with the risk of developing hypoplasia (reducing the thickness) of the uterine mucosa, which can lead to trauma.

In rare cases, the cause of spotting after sex can be pathological changes in the cells of the cervix (dysplasia), certain blood diseases and uterine cancer. The presence of such pathologies is determined by laboratory analysis of the vaginal discharge, and other examinations.

Bleeding while using contraceptives

Bloody discharge during menopause

• strong and frequent hot flashes;
• violations of metabolic processes in the body;
• increased blood pressure;
• the appearance of psychological disorders;
• periodic bleeding from the genitals.

The widespread belief that any symptoms are possible during menopause leads many women to ignore bleeding that should not be normal. They occur quite often - according to statistics, more than half of patients over 45 years old turn to a gynecologist because of bleeding during menopause.

Symptoms of pathological menopause are primarily due to hormonal changes in the female body, that is, they are dysfunctional. But we must not forget that in some cases, bleeding indicates the presence of tumor neoplasms of a benign (polyps and fibroids) or malignant nature.

1. Bleeding during premenopause.

2. Bleeding in the postmenopausal period.

Bleeding during premenopause is usually caused by a violation of the production of sex hormones in women of age, up to the complete cessation of menstruation. Their cause is violations of the timing of ovulation, which lead to the failure of cyclic changes in the thickness of the uterine mucosa.

Any spotting in the postmenopausal period, that is, after the complete cessation of menstruation, should always be considered as a threatening symptom. Such bleeding is a sign of tumors, including malignant ones. In such cases, diagnostic curettage is almost always performed, affecting the mucous membrane of the body of the uterus and the canal of its neck, as well as the subsequent histological examination of the scraping.

Diagnosis and treatment of bleeding

Which doctor should I contact with bloody discharge from the genital tract?

1. The fastest stop of severe bleeding and replenishment of blood loss.

2. Elimination of the cause that caused the bleeding.

3. Compensation for the consequences of blood loss (for example, anemia).

Before prescribing treatment, the gynecologist conducts an examination to establish the true cause of bleeding.

• a detailed survey of the patient, on the basis of which the doctor draws conclusions about her psychological state, hereditary diseases in the family, etc.;
• visual examination of the vagina with the help of mirrors;
• laboratory examination of vaginal smears;
• examination of the tissues of the cervix using colposcopy or biopsy;
• ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs;
• in certain cases - diagnostic curettage of the uterine cavity, followed by microscopic examination of endometrial tissues;
• determining the level of hormones;
• general blood analysis.

What tests and examinations can a doctor prescribe for bloody discharge from the vagina?

• Bimanual gynecological examination;
• Inspection of the genital tract in the mirrors;
• Vaginal smear for flora (sign up);
• Hysteroscopy (make an appointment);
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs (make an appointment);
• Separate diagnostic curettage (to sign up);
• Magnetic resonance imaging (make an appointment);
• General blood analysis;
• General urine analysis;
• Blood chemistry;
• Coagulogram (to sign up);
• Blood test for luteinizing hormone;
• A blood test for follicle-stimulating hormone;
• Blood test for testosterone.

First of all, a bimanual two-handed examination and examination of the genital tract in the mirrors is always carried out. A smear is also taken for the flora, an ultrasound of the pelvic organs is prescribed, since it is these examination methods that make it possible to diagnose the disease or narrow the diagnostic search. To assess the general condition of the body, general blood and urine tests, a biochemical blood test and a coagulogram (assessment of the blood coagulation system) are also prescribed. Further, if the results of ultrasound and examination reveal a disease (for example, a cervical polyp, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, etc.), the doctor prescribes hysteroscopy or magnetic resonance imaging to clarify the data on the localization of the pathological focus and assess the condition of the tissues. If, according to the results of ultrasound, endometrial hyperplasia is detected, the doctor prescribes a separate diagnostic curettage. If the examination revealed endometriosis, then the doctor may additionally prescribe blood tests to determine the concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone in a woman.

• Gynecological examination (make an appointment);
• General blood analysis;
• smear on flora;
• Bacteriological culture of the vaginal discharge;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• Hysteroscopy;
• Separate diagnostic curettage with histological examination of the material;
• Extended colposcopy (make an appointment);
• Pap smear from the cervix for cytology (make an appointment);
• Bacteriological culture of a smear from the cervical canal;
• Blood tests or vaginal discharge for sexual infections (chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, gardnerellosis, gonorrhea, syphilis) by ELISA, PCR (sign up), etc .;
• Biopsy of the cervix.

First of all, the doctor conducts a gynecological examination, prescribes a general blood test, a smear on the flora, sowing of the vaginal discharge and ultrasound of the pelvic organs, since it is these examinations that make it possible to understand whether a woman suffers from endocervicitis or endometritis. Further, other examinations are prescribed already in order to clarify the parameters of the pathological process and find out the causes of the disease. So, with identified endometritis, a separate diagnostic curettage is performed with or without hysteroscopy. Hysteroscopy allows you to see the endometrium inside the uterus and assess its condition, and curettage makes it possible only to get the result of its histology and understand whether there is only inflammation, or whether we are talking about precancerous conditions or even cancer. From the point of view of cancer alertness, doctors prefer to carry out curettage followed by a histological examination of the material, and hysteroscopy is performed only in some cases.

• Blood test for the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, thyrotropin);
• Blood test for the level of triiodothyronine (T3);
• Blood test for thyroxine level (T4);
• Blood test for the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH);
• Blood test for luteinizing hormone (LH) levels;
• Blood test for prolactin level (sign up);
• Blood test for estradiol levels;
• Blood test for testosterone levels.

If a woman has spotting after intercourse, then STIs, cervicitis, vaginitis, polyps and cervical erosion are suspected, and in this case, the doctor prescribes, first of all, an examination in the mirrors, a bimanual examination, taking a smear for flora, taking a smear from cervix for cytology and ultrasound of the pelvic organs. Further appointments are based on the data of these primary surveys. So, if as a result of the examination cervical erosion is revealed, then a colposcopy is prescribed and performed. When polyps are detected, treatment is carried out (they are removed). If cervicitis is detected, then colposcopy is also performed and tests for genital infections are prescribed to understand which pathogen provoked the inflammatory process. If, according to the results of the examination and a smear on the flora, an inflammatory process is detected, then tests for STIs are also prescribed. After the result of a smear for cytology from the cervix comes, the doctor decides whether to take a biopsy. So, if cytology did not reveal atypical (tumor) cells, then the biopsy is not taken, but if any are found, then a cervical biopsy is prescribed, which is necessary to understand whether there is a malignant tumor, or whether atypical cells are an accidental finding.

Treatment of spotting

1. Most often, the basis of the therapeutic program is hormonal therapy. Such treatment courses are usually prescribed for up to 3 months. After its completion, a break is made in the treatment, during which the gynecologist evaluates its results.

2. In addition to hormonal drugs, symptomatic treatment is also used - hemostatic drugs and drugs that enhance the contractile activity of the uterus.

3. Restorative therapy, which helps to restore the female body as a whole.

Surgical methods are also used to treat severe bleeding. For example, in patients who are in menopausal age, curettage of the uterus is the main diagnostic method. And with juvenile bleeding in adolescent girls, such a procedure is carried out exclusively for health reasons. After the application of surgical methods, treatment is prescribed aimed at preventing the recurrence of discharge.

Conclusion

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Reviews

What can be. I read about erosion. According to the symptoms, everything converges. But I want to hear your opinion.

tell me, I am now 6 months after my birth, I have not breastfeed since the first month. My period started exactly one month after I stopped breastfeeding. and they go day to day for the 5th time (cycle 30 days), the second cycle in the middle (on day 14) the discharge begins (the first month was a couple of days and not strong, transparent with streaks of blood, ultrasound is good after normal menstruation.), this month On the 14th day, discharge began. already more abundant and reminiscent of meager periods (discharges mainly when I go to urinate), already the 4th day. but at the same time nothing hurts (so menstruation is always very painful). there is a coupon to the doctor only after 17 days, is it worth panicking and running to a paid clinic?

(Now I am taking the following drugs according to the name of a neurologist: phenotropil, vinpocetine, grandoxin. (I recently finished giving injections: mexidol, glucose and vitamin C)).

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Features of uterine bleeding in menopause

Menopause is a natural period in the life of every woman. It is considered the end of the reproductive age, when she loses the ability to conceive and give birth to a child.

For some women, this farewell is very unpleasant. They feel negative changes in the body, fall into depression. Others do not pay attention to this, trying to quickly cross the line of menopause.

It is impossible not to notice the changes if uterine bleeding occurs in the premenopausal period and after menopause. They may indicate pathologies in the body, especially the presence of formations. Tumors are both benign and malignant.

When there's nothing to worry about

When menopause occurs, bleeding is not always abnormal.

Its appearance should not be alerted when:

• manifestations of premenopause;
• artificially prolonged premenopause;
• taking oral contraceptives and installing a uterine spiral to exclude the possibility of pregnancy in premenopause and menopause.

It is worth remembering that in the presence of menstruation, a woman can become pregnant. Therefore, protection during this period is mandatory. Bleeding may indicate the wrong choice of contraceptive method. It is important to visit a doctor to replace the method with a more suitable one.

The onset of menopause is noted after the age of 40 years. The sudden disappearance of menstruation should not be.

During this period, several stages of development are observed:

1. Premenopause is observed for two to five years. At this time, menstruation persists, but they have an irregular, mild character. Changes are associated with hormonal imbalance, disruption of the endocrine system.
2. During menopause, menstruation stops. If they are absent for a year, then their final disappearance is noted. Some women who are trying to delay menopause take progesterone. It allows you to return menstruation, which becomes painless and mild.
3. In the absence of menstruation during the year, postmenopause occurs. During this period, any bleeding is considered pathological. Particularly dangerous are discharge with clots. Changes are no longer caused by hormonal disorders. Sometimes they indicate malignant tumors. It is important to visit a doctor who will note the possible causes and treatment of uterine bleeding during menopause.

It is worth remembering that during menopause, various diseases may appear, accompanied by uterine bleeding. To identify them, it is important for a woman to regularly visit a gynecologist and treat pathologies.

Classification

Bleeding from the uterine cavity in old age can be of various types:

• In diseases of the organs of the female reproductive system, among which the uterus, ovaries, and vagina are distinguished, organic bleeding appears. They can also be associated with metabolic disorders, endocrine system, liver and blood supply.
• Iatrogenic bleeding is associated with taking medications with hormones in the composition, anticoagulants and other drugs. They also appear when installing an intrauterine device.
• Dysfunctional uterine bleeding in the premenopausal period is caused by a violation of the cycle due to hormonal imbalance.

Bleeding of a dysfunctional nature can have a different duration. They are considered abnormal when they are abundant (more than 80 ml), elongated (longer than a week), and a cycle of less than 21 days or more than 40 days. Normally, the cycle should be from 21 to 35 days, monthly for 3-7 days with blood loss up to 80 ml.

Depending on the nature of the violations, bleeding of a dysfunctional type can be divided into several types:

• regular long periods of abundant (more than 80 ml) nature for more than a week are called hypermenorrhea or menorrhagia;
• with a weak expression of intermenstrual discharge, metrorrhagia is diagnosed;
• irregular bleeding from the uterus that lasts more than a week is considered menometrorrhagia;
• regular bleeding at intervals greater than 21 days is polymenorrhea.

In menopause, bleeding disorders (duration and profusion) may be associated with the state of blood vessels or blood clotting. Doctors also note among the common causes of changes in the endometrial layer of the uterus.

Why uterine bleeding can occur with menopause

Uterine bleeding during menopause may indicate hormonal changes that are associated with aging. Also, abnormal disorders can be the result of pathologies, taking contraceptives, and other medications.

Women can notice the first changes already at the age of 35. Early menstruation, a significant interval between births, and the cessation of lactation by artificial means lead to the appearance of bleeding in this period.

Affect the onset of menopause and dysfunctional bleeding and heredity. In addition, among the common causes, infectious and inflammatory processes in the organs of the reproductive system, tumors of a benign and malignant nature are distinguished.

endometrial hyperplasia

As a result of a sharp increase in the level of estrogen in the body, the endometrium can uncharacteristically grow and thicken. In a normal state, after a mature egg leaves the follicle, a decrease in hormone levels should occur. During this period, progesterone rises, which prevents estrogen from increasing.

After that, the woman can become pregnant. Then the embryo is attached to the mucous membrane of the uterus. If fertilization does not occur. then the endometrium is rejected and comes out in the form of menstruation.

Climax is due to hormonal failure. Therefore, premenopause is characterized by heavy and prolonged menstruation. If menstruation is absent for six months, then a woman may detect bloody discharge. they have a plentiful or scanty expression and varying duration.

Myoma

Myoma is a benign formation that appears in the uterine cavity in the muscle layers. This is due to a violation of the structure of the tissues and the lack of normal contraction of the uterus.

Before the onset of menopause, women often suffer from fibroids. As a result of the tumor, the nature of menstrual flow changes: their abundance and duration increase (up to 10 days).

Due to the regular occurrence of bleeding, menorrhagia is considered. The tumor may increase in size until the end of the menopause period. Subsequently, its growth stops.

polyps

Benign tumors in the uterine cavity are polyps. They are considered the result of the growth of individual parts of the endometrium.

A polyp is a growth made up of endometrial cells. Education stands on a leg, with which it is attached to the wall of the uterus. It is permeated with blood vessels, which, if injured, can bleed. The discharge is usually spotty and irregular.

Polyps may be found singly or in clusters. They are considered dangerous, as they can degenerate into malignant tumors.

Adenomyosis or endometriosis

If the endometrium grows into the uterine walls or neighboring organs, then adenomyosis or endometriosis is diagnosed.

It may cover:

With the development of the process, the degeneration of tissues into malignant ones may occur. In this case, endometriosis is accompanied by bleeding between periods and severe pain.

malignant tumor

Cancers sometimes do not have any expression. Therefore, women do not diagnose them in a timely manner.

It is important to remember that even mild bloody discharge can signal the presence of a malignant tumor. Sometimes bleeding is profuse or spotting. Cancer is especially common in postmenopausal women.

Ovarian dysfunction

In violation of the production of hormones in the body, ovarian dysfunction can be observed. It is associated with inflammatory processes and endocrine pathologies.

This disease is especially common in premenopausal women. A woman can distinguish it by randomly occurring menstrual bleeding of varying intensity.

Other reasons

There are other causes of bleeding in older women:

Symptoms

The duration of the menstrual cycle and the abundance of menstruation change already in premenopause. At this time, periods may be absent for several months, and then suddenly begin.

The abundance of secretions also changes. They either become scarce or become too plentiful. These signs are considered normal for a woman who has entered premenopause.

If a woman notes an increased abundance of discharge, in which pads are changed every hour, bleeding can be suspected. Menstruation, accompanied by the release of clots, should also alert.

Bloody discharge between periods or after intimacy is considered pathological.

You should be concerned about:

• long periods;
• absence of menstruation for several months;
• the onset of menstrual bleeding earlier than 21 days after the previous one.

The condition of a woman in this period may also change. It depends on the severity of anemia, additional pathologies (hypertension, liver failure, thyroid disease, malignant tumors).

Diagnostic measures

To detect pathologies in the uterine cavity, a woman needs to undergo a diagnostic examination.

• ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs;
• biochemical blood test to detect pathologies of the liver, pancreas;
• studies of the hormonal state of the body, provided by the thyroid gland;
• determining the level of sex hormones;
• hysteroscopy, as a result of which a piece of tissue of the uterine mucosa is taken for analysis;

How to stop

To stop bleeding, gynecologists often carry out curettage of the mucous membrane of the uterus and cervical canal. During the procedure, you can not only restore the functioning of the endometrium, but also find out the causes of bleeding. After surgery, further treatment tactics are determined if the discharge does not stop.

Panhysterectomy is required if a woman has adenocarcinoma or atypical endometrial hyperplasia. If the mucosa is covered with fibroids, fibroids and adenomas, a hysterectomy or supravaginal removal of the uterus is performed.

If the changes are not dangerous, conservative treatment is carried out:

• To exclude the possibility of recurrence of bleeding, hormonal tablets with gestagens in the composition are prescribed. They atrophy the glandular epithelium and stroma of the endometrium. Also, drugs alleviate other symptoms of this period.
• With uterine bleeding, antiestrogenic agents Danazol and Gestrinone can be prescribed. They not only affect the endometrium, but also reduce fibroids, mastopathy.
• After 50 years, patients are prescribed androgens.

Hemostatic drugs for uterine bleeding with menopause are additional medicines. It is also possible to correct the weight and condition of patients with metabolic disorders. It is carried out by an endocrinologist, a diabetologist and a cardiologist.

If uterine bleeding continues even after treatment, this may indicate:

• nodes (myomatous and submucosal);
• polyps;
• endometriosis;
• formations on the ovaries.

In this case, additional examination and therapy will be required.

First aid in old age

Treatment of uterine bleeding in the elderly is based on the causes of its occurrence. With dysfunctional secretions, hormonal agents are prescribed. They include analogues of female sexually active substances - estrogen and progesterone. Hormones regulate the menstrual cycle during perimenopause and prevent menometrorrhagia.

Organic bleeding is treated in the course of eliminating the underlying pathology. Often not without the help of a surgeon. Oncological tumors are removed promptly and supplemented with radiation therapy, chemotherapy.

Effects

Bleeding from the uterine cavity can lead to various complications. One of the dangerous is posthemorrhagic anemia or hemorrhagic shock. This happens when there is a lot of bleeding.

Also, infection of the body often occurs in an ascending way. As a result, secondary complications develop in the form of purulent myometritis or the formation of pus on myomatous nodes.

If the fibroid is not detected in a timely manner, then the woman feels a strong pain syndrome in the abdomen and a bloody discharge. Symptoms are due to the rejection of the fibromatous node and its exit into the uterine cavity. The complication is dangerous and requires surgical removal.

Bleeding, which is atypical, should alert a woman in any period of menopause. It is important to immediately contact a gynecologist to prevent the development of complications.

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A significant percentage of bleeding in menopause depends on diseases of the female genital organs. Here, neoplasms, benign and malignant, as well as inflammatory processes, should be put in the first place.

Of the neoplasms, uterine fibroids are the most common. According to A. I. Petchenko and V. V. Slonitsky, who studied the features of the course of uterine bleeding at the age of 46 to 57 years in women suffering from uterine fibroids, women with uterine myoma menstruate longer - menopause occurs in them 5-10 years later than in healthy women. Histological studies of uterine scrapings predominantly showed mucosal atrophy with congestion in the endometrium, and only in some cases cystic endometrial hyperplasia and polyposis were observed. According to. authors, climacteric uterine bleeding in the presence of uterine fibromyoma is largely associated with a disorder of the central nervous system and with symptoms of general angioedema. Reduced contractility of the uterus, stretched by knots, as well as often an enlarged surface of a hypertrophically or atrophically altered mucosa, cause bleeding in uterine fibromyoma. A. A. Lebedev and colleagues also believe that the pathogenesis of uterine bleeding in uterine fibroids is similar to the pathogenesis of functional uterine bleeding. In both cases, a significant role is played by the reduced reactivity of the vascular tone and the failure of the liver function.

According to the observations of A. A. Lebedev and colleagues, all patients suffering from fibroids, according to the histological picture, in comparison with the data on the excretion of sex hormones, can be divided into three groups: a) patients with asymptomatic uterine fibroids with a normal menstrual cycle; there are no pathological changes in the histological picture of the endometrium and ovaries; b) patients also with a normal menstrual cycle, but with a predominance of the follicular phase (hyperpolymenorrhea); in the histological picture of the endometrium, the majority (in 94%) show glandular hyperplasia, sometimes atrophy, in the ovaries (in 72%) there is a cystic expansion of the follicles and corpus luteum; c) patients with "anovulatory" cycle (hemorrhagic metropathy); histologically, there are glandular hyperplasia (57%), endometrial atrophy (10%), in the ovaries - cystic expansion of the follicles, foci of hemorrhages, vascular sclerosis; no yellow spots.

According to our data, climacteric bleeding is especially often combined with the so-called uterine fibromatosis - an enlarged, dense uterus, which is due to the development of scar connective tissue and sclerotic changes in the muscles of the uterine body.

The cause of uterine bleeding during the transitional years of a woman is often ovarian tumors - benign, hormonally active. The latter, exerting a hormonal effect on the uterine mucosa, cause bleeding. These tumors include granulosa cell blastomas and thecablastomas; by producing estrogenic hormone, they cause excessive endometrial hyperplasia, uterine bleeding and necrosis.

Finberg (R. Fiettberg) described 6 women aged 60-75 years who had sudden bleeding during menopause. Histological examination of the ovaries of these patients revealed granulosa-thecacellular tumors in 6 cases, and a thecamatous tumor in one. In all cases, there was hyperplasia of the uterine mucosa with mitoses.

Menopausal bleeding is often combined with inflammatory diseases of the genital organs, mainly with inflammatory tumors of the appendages and with various abnormal positions (displacements) of the uterus. In the latter case, fixed retrodeviations, as well as omission and prolapse of the uterus, have a particularly great influence. With incorrect positions of the uterus, bleeding can be caused both by venous stasis (in the presence of a pelvic plethora) due to the bending of the uterine ligaments with the vessels passing through them, and (which happens especially often) by the resulting insufficiency of the muscles of the uterus. When the uterus prolapses, the source of bleeding can be ulcers such as bedsores that develop on the surface of the vaginal part of the uterus.

During menopause, sclerotic changes are of no small importance in the occurrence of uterine bleeding, which are characterized by excessive development of connective tissue, the almost complete disappearance of muscle tissue and pronounced changes in the vessels (phenomena of atheromatosis and endarteritis). According to Yashke, Pankov (R. Jaschke, O. Pankow), S. S. Kholmogorov, etc., a decrease in the muscle layer and sclerosis of the vessels, summing up, can cause profuse uterine bleeding.

Malignant neoplasms (cancer and sarcoma) are one of the frequent causes of uterine bleeding in the transitional years of a woman. Statistical data of the world literature characterizing the frequency and causes of bleeding in menopause and menopause in women, collected by Gecke and Garbut (Garbut), are presented in table 9 (in percent).

The "other" group includes endometriosis, traumatic and other injuries.

Table 9 shows that in both periods of transition years, women in the first place are cancers of the genital organs; glandular hyperplasia is the cause of more than a quarter of all bleeding; polyps and erosion account for approximately 1/5 of all bleeding. Fibroids and ovarian tumors also play a significant role in the occurrence of menopausal bleeding. The same should be said about inflammatory diseases.

These data on menopausal bleeding show how different the etiology and pathogenesis of uterine bleeding during menopause and menopause. The presence of a large number of causes that cause uterine bleeding of this period dictate the need for a thorough and comprehensive examination of women suffering from this pathology. In addition to a two-handed examination, examination using mirrors, a cytological examination of smears of the contents from the vagina and from the uterine cavity (aspiration), diagnostic curettage or biopsy followed by a histological examination of the scraping, and in addition to hormonal examination, a study of the state of the blood, liver, cardiovascular and other systems is indicated. . Differential diagnosis of uterine bleeding of the transitional period of a woman is of great importance for choosing the right individualized treatment.

The basic principles of the doctor's tactics for menopausal bleeding will be as follows:

1. In the presence of bleeding, it is first necessary to exclude a malignant neoplasm, based on the data of a histological examination of a scraping of the uterine mucosa. Curettage of the uterus during menopausal bleeding is not only a diagnostic, but also a therapeutic measure that has a hemostatic effect. This is explained by the fact that after the removal of the hyperplastic bleeding necrotic mucous membrane, the uterus begins to contract vigorously. If, after curettage, bleeding resumes soon (after 2-3 months), this, with an appropriate clinical picture and in the presence of certain studies, indicates its functional nature. If, during menopause or menopause, the bleeding that stopped after curettage reappears after 1-2 years or later, then curettage must be repeated, since in such cases, the cause of bleeding may be an incipient neoplasm.

It is much more difficult to diagnose cancer of the body of the uterus by the cytological picture of a smear than cervical cancer. This is explained by the fact that the polymorphism of cells and their nuclei, which is one of the main criteria in cytodiagnosis, is much less pronounced in cancer of the uterine body [Papanicolaou (G. Papanicolau), V. A. Mandelstam, etc.].

2. In the complex pathogenesis of menopausal bleeding, it is necessary to take into account age-related disturbances in the activity of the higher parts of the central nervous system, mainly the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, as well as dysfunction of the endocrine glands and other systems of the female body, and it is wrong to see the main cause of bleeding only in functional disorders of the ovaries and uterine mucosa .

3. Rational therapy of menopausal bleeding should be a set of measures aimed at regulating the menstrual cycle.

Sometimes, instead of menstruation, just bleeding appears, doctors refer to this period as the attenuation of the ovaries in women, this is a kind of “perimenopause”. During this period, bleeding is not dangerous and is practically the norm.

However, if menopause is already present and there has been no menstruation or spotting for a year, and now they begin to appear, then this is not the norm and may indicate certain disorders and diseases of the internal organs.

Discharge and menopause

In the vast majority of cases, bleeding during menopause does not pose a danger to the health of the patient and indicates mild disorders that can be successfully treated.

However, their appearance should not be underestimated. In some patients, discharge during menopause may indicate the development of a malignant tumor: this may be cancer of the uterus, vagina, and cervix.

How to identify highlights

First of all, you need to know that if blood is found on underwear or toilet paper, this does not mean that there is bloody discharge from the vagina, because blood can appear from the rectum or from the urethra.

However, blood is always a reason to see a doctor. After determining the source, a doctor is selected. For example, if the blood is from the anus, then you will need to contact a proctologist, and not a gynecologist.

To exclude the source of bleeding in the form of a vagina is quite simple, for this you need to use a tampon that is inserted into the vagina. If after a while it remains clean, then blood is discharged from the anus or bladder. Otherwise, the blood on the swab indicates a problem that has arisen in the cervix or uterus, this is already a direct referral to the gynecologist.

What diseases cause bleeding

There are several reasons that can cause bleeding from the vagina during menopause. Let's define the main ones, describing the symptoms and signs.

Age-related changes in the vagina

From the very beginning of menopause, the production of sex hormones in a woman’s body stops, the process leads to the fact that the vaginal mucosa changes, it becomes thinner, a condition called “atrophy”, it leads to the fact that any damage can cause blood to appear.

Bleeding can be both profuse and in the form of blood discharge. They usually occur immediately after or during intercourse, but they can also appear after masturbation, gymnastics, cycling, or any impact on the woman's groin.

inflammation, vaginitis

Inflammation of the genital organs in a woman can develop at almost any age, it does not depend on whether women live sexually. The most striking example is candidiasis, which occurs in a woman and leads to inflammation and bleeding after menopause, and without sexual activity.

If a woman is sexually active, then the causes of bleeding may be in infections that are sexually transmitted. Such diseases include:

In addition, all of the above diseases can cause not only bloody discharge during menopause, but also green, yellow, white discharge, which is accompanied by an unpleasant odor and leads to discomfort and a feeling of dryness in the vagina.

Polyp of the cervix

The polyp of the cervix is ​​characterized by excessive growth of the mucous membrane, which takes the form of a polyp. Such growth is quite easily exposed to any mechanical damage, and at the same time causes the appearance of blood.

Until now, the causes that lead to the appearance of polyps have not been fully understood. There are suggestions that they may be caused by chronic infections and inflammatory processes. A certain effect is exerted by a violation of the circulatory system, as well as hormonal imbalance. Sometimes it can be bleeding after intercourse.

As a rule, the vast majority of polyps are benign neoplasms. However, in rare cases, cancerous and precancerous changes can be found in some polyps. In any case, when diagnosing polyps, it is necessary to conduct a biopsy of the cervix or take a smear for cytology and check for the presence of cancer cells.

Uterine polyp

The proliferation of areas of the endometrium of the inner layer of the uterus leads to the formation of a uterine polyp. The neoplasm can have different sizes, from a few millimeters to several centimeters. As with cases of the cervix, uterine polyps are usually benign. However, sometimes they can also contain cancer cells, it is noted that uterine polyps most often appear in women, the cause of their appearance is hormonal changes that occur in a woman's body during the onset of menopause.

uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids is a benign oncological tumor that is located in the muscular layer of the uterus. Myoma in extremely rare cases can develop into a malignant tumor, it is formed in women before menopause. The main role in the development of this neoplasm belongs to sex hormones.

The fact is that after the onset of menopause, sex hormones in the blood become very small, respectively, and uterine fibroids begin to decrease in size and practically do not cause inconvenience and subjective sensations to the patient.

In principle, uterine fibroids cause bleeding during menopause if during this period a woman has hormone replacement therapy or a course of herbal medicine with plant estrogens, and only in extreme cases can fibroids lead to bleeding without the effect of hormones on the woman's body.

Malignant tumors

Cancer of the vagina is extremely rare and the main risk factor that can lead to the development of a malignant tumor is the age of the patient. In most cases, vaginal cancer occurs in women over 60 years of age.

In the early stages, vaginal cancer occurs with little or no symptoms. However, as it develops, spotting of varying degrees of intensity appears. However, there may also be watery discharge, as well as a sensation of a foreign body inside the vagina, pain in the perineum during urination and defecation. Any of these symptoms after age 60 should be checked by a gynecologist. Colposcopy and biopsy will be needed to detect cancer.

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is much more common than vaginal cancer. The reason is the human papillomavirus. In the early stages, the disease is almost asymptomatic, but with progression, bloody discharge with an unpleasant odor appears, as well as pain during intercourse.

And, by the way, cervical cancer can be prevented, in order to prevent and prevent the development of cervical cancer, it is necessary that each patient, regardless of age or during menopause, undergo a cytological examination, take a smear for cytology.

With the help of this study, cancer can be detected at an early stage, in which case the prognosis is favorable.

endometrial cancer

The lining of the uterus is called the endometrium, which is why uterine cancer is sometimes referred to as endometrial cancer. The main symptom here is spotting, as well as uterine bleeding. It is often possible to diagnose and bloody discharge from the vagina.

In this sense, I would like to say that you should not underestimate the appearance of spotting, especially if menopause has already begun. The earlier uterine cancer is detected, the greater the chance of a favorable treatment.

What discharge is acceptable during menopause?

Menopause is a very difficult period in a woman's life. There is a gradual extinction of the reproductive function and a complex restructuring of the whole organism under the changed hormonal background. A woman is faced with signs unknown to herself, which raise many questions.

These manifestations include spotting during menopause, which are of various colors and nature. In this publication, we will consider in detail which options are considered the norm, and under which it is necessary to consult a doctor.

What you need to know about discharge during menopause

The female reproductive system is directly dependent on sex hormones. Fluctuations in the hormonal background provides a monthly renewal of the endometrium. This leads to menstruation. The vagina and cervix, under the influence of hormones, produce the mucus necessary for the functioning.

On average, the onset of menopause in women occurs on the fly. By this age, the lady has a decrease in hormonal activity. Therefore, in women with menopause, the nature of the discharge changes.

Moreover, at each stage of menopause, only certain options will be considered the norm. If they are of a different color and character, then you should consult a doctor. In some cases, immediate treatment is necessary.

Climax has 3 stages or phases:

1. Premenopause - the stage begins from the moment of the first manifestations of the extinction of ovarian function until the last independent menstruation.

It is believed that it can last up to 6 years. During this time, the woman's body gradually adapts to the ongoing hormonal changes. The woman had the most striking symptoms of menopause: hot flashes, anxiety, increased nervousness, fatigue even after minor physical exertion.

Menopause - this stage lasts 12 months.

It is established by the gynecologist only after the fact. If during the year after the last independent menstruation there were no more menstruation, then menopause has come.

Postmenopause - this stage comes immediately after the previous one and lasts until the end of a woman's life.

Consider the discharge during menopause, which are possible at each stage.

What to look out for during premenopause

During premenopause, a woman's menstrual bleeding is shortened, and the duration of the intervals is constantly increasing. The reason is a gradual decrease in estrogen produced by the ovaries.

With a reduced level of the hormone, the endometrium grows more slowly. First, the interval increases by several days, and then up to 2-4 months. Some ladies up to six months.

A woman should not worry if one of the above options will go in moderation without feeling pain or itching. If a lady has excessively abundant blood discharge during menopause, the reasons should be established by visiting a gynecologist.

When the discharge during menopause is dark brown or green, then well-chosen treatment is necessary. A woman should not delay visiting a doctor.

In addition, attention should be paid to the nature of the discharge from the vagina. Experts consider normal only odorless mucous discharge. For all other options, you will need a consultation with a gynecologist. As a rule, it is the smell that can be the first signal of some pathological process in the body.

Changes during menopause and postmenopause

During menopause, the discharge changes. They become like rice water, which has no smell. Normally they are transparent, but in no case watery. Should have an even consistency. They come in small numbers. At this stage of menopause, this manifestation is facilitated by the complete extinction of ovarian function, as well as hormonal changes in the body.

Allocations during menopause should normally be gradually reduced. Over time, they either stop altogether, or remain, but in a minimal amount. Allocations in postmenopause should be absent or remain barely noticeable.

A healthy woman at the age of 60 no longer perceives menopause and discharge as components of her condition. Allocations are already absent, and menopause will continue until the end of life.

What should be alarming

A woman's menopause does not always pass without complications and illnesses. Quite often, women are faced with pathologies that signal certain health problems. There are a large number of reasons leading to discharge that does not meet the norm.

Doctors combined all the causes into the following groups:

The onset of menopause in many women is marked by hormonal imbalance. In some women, it provokes endometrial hyperplasia. If treatment is not started in time, the disease degenerates into oncology. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose the disease in a timely manner. The first call of the disease will be spotting dark brown discharge.

Metabolic disorders.

Women with diabetes, obesity or arterial hypertension are at risk for the development of malignant tumors during menopause.

infectious nature.

During the menopause, the immunity of women is weakened, and therefore, there is a high probability of catching some kind of infection that provokes inflammatory processes. Bloody discharge or liquid, like water, dirty yellow discharge that has an odor indicates an infectious lesion. Yellow discharge should always be alarming, both for a girl and for a mature woman.

When a lady discovers at least one of the listed signs, she urgently needs to contact a gynecologist.

Types of pathological discharge

In order for a woman to be able to correctly explain to the gynecologist what kind of discharge she has, you should familiarize yourself with the existing terminology.

Experts distinguish them by color and composition:

1. Bloody - come in various intensities: spotting, bloody or bleeding.

Color can be red, brown or black. Frequent accompanying manifestations are unpleasant odors and various painful sensations. They can signal cancer.

Curds - a kind of substance similar to cottage cheese.

Sometimes it has a sour smell. They are symptoms of thrush or other fungal pathologies.

Purulent - are green or yellowish.

The consistency is like cream. Accompanied by stench. Symptoms of the following unpleasant diseases: gonorrhea, chlamydia, bacterial vaginitis, etc.

Mucous - plentiful translucent or with a slightly yellowish tint, which foam, have an unpleasant odor, may be accompanied by itching or pain.

Indicative of endometrial disease.

Pathological manifestations can be both with a smell, and without it. But the smell is always a reason to make an appointment with a gynecologist.

Is spotting always dangerous?

Bloody discharge after menopause requires special attention. Undoubtedly, the main cause of such manifestations is the partial functionality of the ovaries.

Prolonged or heavy discharge at the postmenopausal stage is a symptom of a hormonal or oncological disease.

The most dangerous spotting after menopause. By this time, the ovaries have completely ceased their activity.

Therefore, discharge at the last stage of menopause are symptoms of such dangerous diseases as:

1. Hyperplasia is the growth of uterine tissues against the background of a decrease in female hormones.

According to experts, the impetus for the development of hyperplasia can be serious diseases associated with metabolic disorders: diabetes mellitus, obesity or hypertension. This is another reason to think about your health. Bloody discharge in these severe diseases may be with lumps.

The development of fibromas or polyps in the uterus are the causes of bleeding during menopause, accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen.

In postmenopausal women, watery discharge in women can also signal such diseases.

The presence of hormonal disorders.

Everything in the human body is interconnected. Problems in the functioning of the thyroid or pancreas, as well as malfunctions in lipid or carbohydrate metabolism, can provoke serious diseases. The most severe of these is a pituitary tumor.

Oncological diseases of the genital organs in the early stages give out dark discharge during menopause.

If these symptoms are detected, a woman should immediately visit a doctor in order to accurately diagnose. Particularly attentive to their health during menopause should be women who had gynecological problems in their reproductive age.

Modern medicine offers effective methods for the prevention of such complex diseases. Among which is the Mirena intrauterine device (IUD). Women insert IUDs primarily to prevent unwanted pregnancies. But during a difficult menopause, the Mirena spiral is used to prevent endometrial hyperplasia.

When not to panic

Consider spotting after menopause and the causes of their occurrence:

1. Brown discharge appears in women during the period of taking hormonal drugs that help to cope with the symptoms of menopause.

You can not constantly take such drugs, you need to take breaks for several days. During such a pause, there may be a small amount of hormones in the blood, which, when oxidized, acquire this color.

Daubing appears with a decrease in estrogen levels.

Insufficient levels of this hormone do not allow the development of the endometrium and contribute to the weakening of the blood vessels on the walls of the uterus. When a woman's blood pressure rises, some blood vessels burst. Droplets of blood will appear on the linen.

Blood discharge during menopause can be not only uterine.

Since, during menopause, the vagina becomes thinner and drier, then during vaginal sex without the use of lubrication, it can be injured. As a result, the blood from the bursting blood vessels will appear on the underwear, like pink spots. In this situation, there is pain in the perineum.

Bloody discharge in postmenopausal menopause causes the same. You should be aware that with menopause there may be bleeding of the intestines or urethra. Sometimes they are confused with menstruation. Can ladies independently identify the cause of bleeding?

This can be done by every woman with a hygienic tampon. If it remains clean after being in the vagina for several hours, then the bleeding does not come from the uterus or vagina. The lady has several reasons for the mandatory visit to specialists in order to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Bloody discharge that occurs during menopause can cause a variety of reasons. Moreover, the stage of menopause and other factors should be taken into account. Therefore, do not try to self-diagnose.

It is necessary to consult a specialist at the first symptoms. The gynecologist will not only conduct an examination, but also send you for an ultrasound scan and prescribe the necessary tests. Such an integrated approach will help diagnose the disease at an early stage, when it can be cured. We wish you good health!

Dear ladies, we hope that the article was useful to you. If you have additional information, then share it in the comments.

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Causes of bleeding in women with menopause

Many believe that women are fickle and changeable. And in a sense, they are absolutely right. To be honest, the main reason for such changes is the amazing body of the fair sex.

As scientific studies show, a woman experiences various physiological changes throughout her life. All of them are directly related to hormonal processes. The first menstruation, the long-awaited pregnancy, the withering of the reproductive organs during menopause is a difficult path for women's changes.

So, all this time, the eggs, ready for conception, were produced in the reproductive organs without hindrance. But during the period of withering of the female genital organs, their number is significantly reduced. The hormonal composition changes, and sometimes there are failures that cause spotting during menopause. In addition, during this period, ladies are faced with emotional disorders and drops in blood pressure. The protective forces of immunity are lost, which leads to bone fragility, and therefore to unwanted injuries. Unfortunately, such symptoms do not cause as much anxiety, compared with spotting that appears during menopause. What will help women cope with experiences in such moments? Useful information about the internal processes in the body.

Natural processes in the reproductive organs

Monthly blood mucus from the vagina in young women is an indicator of the normal course of menstruation. This continues until the onset of menopause. During this period, the ovaries stop producing eggs, so there should be no blood mucus.

Habitual bleeding in women appears due to damage to the vessels of the endometrium. As a woman gets older, this organ decreases significantly in size. And by the age of 60, it completely atrophies, since hormonal processes in the reproductive organs also stop. During this period, the vaginal secret practically disappears. Many ladies at this age feel dryness in the genitals, which, in principle, is considered normal.

Based on these factors, blood mucus is an unnatural phenomenon. The appearance of even small red streaks in the vaginal mucus should encourage a woman to undergo an examination.

Of course, first you need to make sure that the blood has left the reproductive organs. To do this, you need to place a tampon in the vagina. If, after some time, it is clean, it means that blood mucus has got on the linen from the rectum or urethra. In the event of the appearance of blood on the swab, it is important to immediately seek help from a gynecologist.

Often during menopause, bleeding indicates pathological processes in the uterus or its cervix.

With the onset of menopause in the body of a woman, hormonal processes associated with the reproductive organs stop. They affect the change in the mucous systems, which are especially vulnerable at this time. Even the smallest impact leads to blood discharge. For example, sexual intercourse, active sports activities or cycling. In addition, any mechanical blows to the groin or abdomen are dangerous during the withering of the internal organs.

Abnormal origin of blood mucus during menopause

The onset of the period of withering of childbearing functions in women is associated with the concept of menopause. On average, it occurs in women 50 years old. In some cases, due to heredity, it may occur earlier.

The appearance of unwanted mucus on underwear is a dangerous signal of the disease. The main causes of bleeding that occurs during menopause are:

• mechanical injuries in the vagina;
• pathology of the uterine neck;
• myoma;
• abnormal processes in the endometrium;
• polyps;
• tumors on the uterus or ovaries;
• physiological changes.

All this is the main factor in the appearance of bleeding during menopause in women over 45 years old.

Mechanical injuries of the vagina occur due to the fact that during this period the amount of estrogen decreases. The lack of a hormonal substance leads to excessive dryness in the vagina. Therefore, during sexual intimacy or a careless examination by a gynecologist, the mucous membrane is damaged. The result is scarlet mucus.

Despite the discomfort that occurs with vaginal injuries, medical intervention is not required. It is enough to use a special cream containing estrogen and make a prophylaxis against dryness.

Various pathologies associated with the uterus occur during the period when menstruation begins to go irregularly. Against this background, sanious discharge appears, which are found for several days, and then disappear.

Heavy bleeding during menopause may indicate cervical cancer. In this case, other symptoms may not be observed, since the disease manifests itself at a later stage.

A signal of the pathology of the cervix is ​​blood mucus after copulation, which is accompanied by pain in the lower back.

The appearance of fibroids is often associated with abundant bloody mucus, even during menopause in women over 45 years of age. If a large tumor is found, in addition to vaginal mucus with blood, pain is felt in the groin and lower back.

Myoma is a tumor that consists of altered uterine cells. It is considered benign and does not carry a mortal danger. Timely treatment is the key to healthy family relationships.

Bloody discharge, caused by changes in the endometrium inside the uterus, is especially evident after menopause. So, in the process of growth of the intrauterine layer of the endometrium, mucus of different volumes comes out. At first, these may be minor smears, but, over time, even bleeding is possible. As a result, a lack of hemoglobin and the development of anemia.

Almost 20% of women over the age of 45 have endometrial polyps. A sign of their active growth is brown discharge from the vagina. In addition, the disease is associated with various infections in the endometrium.

With menopause in women, malignant tumors on the uterus and ovaries quite often occur. In the early stages of uterine cancer, there are no symptoms, making it difficult to detect. Only after a while, bloody mucus from the vagina will indicate the development of pathology. Pain in the lower part of the groin can signal damage to neighboring organs.

Bloody discharge after menopause is a dangerous signal of ovarian cancer. The appearance of such formations leads to a deceptive "rejuvenation" of the lady. The external condition of the hair and skin improves, along with the vaginal blood secretion, similar to menstruation, it seems to be a natural process. In fact, this is a symptom of a dangerous disease that requires immediate treatment.

The cause of bleeding after menopause are physiological changes in the reproductive organs. During this period, they reveal a lack of progesterone against the background of an excess of estrogen. As a result of these changes, bleeding occurs.

In addition, bleeding causes atrophy of the endometrium. A small amount of scarlet mucus can be observed throughout the year.

If a woman takes hormonal drugs during menopause, irregular discharge with blood is considered normal.

Wise steps to stay healthy

Having considered the causes of bleeding in women after menopause and during menopause, it is important to think about your condition. If this happens, then, first of all, it is necessary to find the source of bleeding. It can only be installed by a qualified specialist in a medical institution.

Most often, curettage is used to eliminate bleeding, which stops bleeding.

Women over the age of 50 are prescribed various drugs that suppress the functions of the reproductive organs. For those over 60, sedative pills can help.

In addition, women, during the withering of the genital organs, can take care of themselves on their own. Nutritious and healthy food, moderate physical activity and positive emotions will help to survive this period with joy.

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Discharge options for menopause

Menopause can be safely described as the most difficult stage that occurs in the life of every woman. There is a gradual extinction of the reproductive function, the hormonal background changes, and a complex restructuring of the body begins. In this difficult time, almost every woman is faced with unpleasant menopause associates, each of which causes inconvenience and discomfort. Bloody discharge during menopause, the cause of which is important to identify in a timely manner, can be the cause of serious experiences.

In most cases, a phenomenon of this kind refers to variants of the norm and does not cause serious problems. But in some cases, the symptom may be evidence of a serious illness. It is worth talking in more detail about the appearance of any discharge during menopause, you should sound the alarm and immediately consult a doctor.

Features of the menopause

Menopause is a kind of age and physiological barrier, having crossed which, a woman loses the ability to give birth to offspring. When a woman reaches the age of 45 - 50 years, there is a gradual extinction of ovarian activity and hormonal activity, which ensures the full functioning of the reproductive system.

One of the natural physiological processes that changes with the onset of menopause is excretion. The appearance of a small amount of fluid from the genitals is an absolutely normal feature of the female body. This process provides natural cleansing of mucous tissues, preventing the penetration of pathogenic microflora.

However, after menopause, under the influence of hormonal changes in the body, the amount of mucus decreases significantly, until the painful dryness of the vagina. Experts divide menopause into three main stages, each of which is characterized by certain symptoms, a deviation from the norms of which may be evidence of the development of pathologies.

• Premenopause or early menopause. Its beginning is considered the stage of the appearance of the first physiological changes affecting the reproductive function, which are characterized by severe symptoms, for example, excessive sweating, hot flashes, menstrual irregularities, increased fatigue. The logical conclusion of the period of premenopause, which lasts about six to seven years, is the cessation of menstruation. Moreover, this kind of discharge in women with menopause can appear both systematically and chaotically. In many ways, this feature depends on the state of health of the woman.
• Menopause. As a rule, this stage lasts no more than a year and can be considered completed only if twelve months have passed since the end of the last menstruation. Mucous discharge during menopause appears in minimal quantities, does not have a shade and does not cause discomfort.
• Postmenopause. The peculiarity of the postmenopausal period is its general duration. This stage begins immediately after menopause and continues throughout the rest of your life.

The absolute norm throughout all three stages of menopause is mucous liquids with a uniform consistency. As for menstruation, the duration between cycles gradually increases, the amount of blood lost decreases.

Important! In that situation, if the discharge during menopause acquires an uncharacteristic color, for example, yellow or brown, you should immediately contact a specialist to identify the causes.

Signs of pathologies

Vaginal discharge during menopause can also be pathological in nature, which occurs, as a rule, due to the development of inflammatory processes and diseases of an infectious or non-infectious nature. Such pathologists are also characterized by the appearance of additional symptoms, which include pain in the lower abdomen, difficulty urinating, deterioration in general well-being.

The separation of secretions in women during menopause that are not classified as normal options differ in the following features:

• The appearance of mucus is accompanied by itching, redness, burning, irritation of the mucous tissues and skin of the genital organs.
• Their consistency is broken, they become liquid and watery.
• They can also be excessively thick, cheesy, the appearance of blood clots, pus, whitish streaks is not excluded.
• There is an unpleasant smell.

Between periods or later, blood may appear in the mucus. This symptom is one of the most dangerous. It can also be caused by cancer.

Bloody

As noted above, spotting that occurs during menopause is one of the most dangerous symptoms. Depending on what color, consistency and smell the secretion has, one can draw appropriate conclusions about the state of a woman's health. In the vast majority of cases, spotting in menopause is a symptom of the following pathologies:

• Age changes. Bloody discharge during menopause can be a variant of the relative norm if the causes include age-related changes characterized by thinning, decreased elasticity and atrophy of mucous tissues. Most often, spotting in a small amount appears after sexual intercourse or medical examinations.
• inflammatory processes. The characteristic features of diseases of inflammatory pathogenesis are the following: the excreted secret acquires a pronounced unpleasant odor, as well as a yellowish tint, indicating the admixture of a small amount of blood. The appearance of mucous clots and pus is possible.
• Oncological diseases. Bloody discharge after menopause, as well as directly in menopause, can be symptoms of the growth of a malignant tumor. But it should be noted that in the early stages of the development of cancer, the appearance of blood is rather an exception.

Gynecological diseases, including erosion of the cervix, fibroids and others, can become factors provoking the separation of bloody secretions. It is important to remember that even a single occurrence of spotting in menopause, the causes of which can be more than serious, is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

Important! Blood discharge in postmenopause, as well as in early menopause, can be classified as normal only if the secret is released in moderation after intercourse. To prevent damage to mucous tissues, it is recommended to use special gels.

curdled

A particularly common symptom among women of any age is white or yellow discharge, which has a characteristic curdled consistency and an unpleasant pungent odor. Most often they are accompanied by severe itching, burning, soreness in the lower abdomen and a deterioration in general well-being. These symptoms are signs of candidiasis - a fungal infection of mucous tissues.

Candidiasis or thrush is one of the most common diseases and occurs in women of any age. Treatment in this case is mandatory, otherwise there is a possibility of developing inflammatory processes and aggravating the patient's condition.

Also, a curdled secret with an unpleasant odor can be one of the signs of diseases of an infectious nature, sexually transmitted diseases, for example, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis and others. Regardless of the amount of mucous fluid to be separated and the presence of an odor, discharges of this kind do not belong to the norm, respectively, when such problems appear, it is important to identify the cause in a timely manner and begin treatment.

Mucous

Mucus discharge during menopause, including in women after 60 years of age or more, if they appear in moderation, do not have an unpleasant odor and are not accompanied by burning and itching, are among the normal and do not cause concern. The only thing you should pay attention to is the observance of the rules of personal hygiene. Drying on the skin of the mucous fluid can lead to itching and redness.

However, if the mucous fluid is separated in large quantities, changes its consistency, color and smell, this may be a symptom of inflammatory processes or infectious lesions of the genital organs. Most often, a copious amount of mucous discharge is a sign of inflammation of the cervix or vaginal tissues.

watery

A moderate amount of watery secretion is normal, but only if the woman is of reproductive age. During menopause, a watery secret can be a symptom of serious gynecological diseases, including, for example, uterine sarcoma.

Purulent

Purulent or sanious discharge is rightfully one of the alarming signs of the development of diseases of an inflammatory or infectious nature. Most often, a purulent secret with a smell is separated against the background of sexually transmitted diseases. In this case, it is possible to add indirect signs, such as pain in the lower abdomen, severe itching and burning in the vulva, deterioration in general well-being.

Causes of pathologies

Pathological discharge during menopause in women most often indicates the development of any pathologies. In addition, they can be the result of hormonal or endocrine disorders, pathologies of the pelvic organs, and inflammatory processes.

Important! You should contact a medical institution for diagnosis and treatment if even minor symptoms are detected. It is much easier to eliminate any ailment in the early stages of its development.

Diseases of infectious and inflammatory pathogenesis

One of the most common causes of discharge during the menopausal period is the development of inflammatory processes. Their cause is thinning and atrophy of the mucous tissues, the appearance of cracks on the walls of the vagina and the introduction of pathogens. Pathologies associated with the development of inflammation are:

• Cervicitis. This is an inflammatory process that affects the mucous tissues of the walls of the uterus. The disease is classified as common and is detected in every fifth elderly lady. It is quite simple to explain this - the extinction of the reproductive function is also characterized by a weakening of the immune forces and a decrease in resistance to the negative effects of pathogenic microflora. A feature of cervicitis is brown discharge during menopause, often associated with rejection of pus clots.
• Vulvovaginitis. The disease is also characterized as a disease of inflammatory pathogenesis that affects the mucous tissues of the vaginal walls. With this pathology, the discharge may be gray or white. As a rule, the secret in this case has an unpleasant smell of fish.

If during menopause there are secretions of white or yellowish color, they usually indicate the development of inflammatory processes, some of which are listed above. In addition, such symptom complexes can be a consequence of fungal infections, which include candidiasis.

Sexually transmitted diseases

Speaking about which discharges during menopause are considered normal, and which ones speak of pathological processes occurring in the female body, one cannot help but focus on the current problem of the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, which is so urgent at the present time. Unfortunately, in menopause, a woman is also at risk of contracting unpleasant diseases. Accordingly, the question of the need to use barrier contraceptives is still relevant even in the absence of the risk of pregnancy.

Purulent, white or yellow discharge during menopause can be a symptom of the following pathologies:

• Gonorrhea. The secret acquires a green or gray tint, becomes thicker and has an unpleasant odor. Additional signs of pathology are: severe itching, burning, constant urge to visit the toilet.
• Chlamydia. Paying attention to the nature of the discharge during menopause, which may indicate the development of inflammation processes, one should be wary if the secret becomes more liquid and acquires a whitish hue. This symptom may well be attributed to infection with chlamydia. An additional difference in the pathology is a change in the color of urine - it becomes more cloudy and acquires a pungent odor.
• Trichomoniasis. When infected, the secret becomes more liquid and foamy. In addition, an intense unpleasant odor is possible.

With infectious lesions of the mucous tissues of the genital organs, dark or pink spotting during menopause cannot be an exception. As a rule, they talk about thinning and mechanical damage to the tissues of the walls of the vagina, the occurrence of which is possible during sexual intercourse or during a gynecological examination.

Hormonal changes

The restructuring of the hormonal background is a completely natural physiological process during menopause. This is due to the extinction of the functions of the ovaries and the gradual decrease in the hormones produced by the female reproductive system. Against the background of significant changes, spotting in postmenopause and directly during menopause is quite normal. However, in some cases, hormonal disorders and changes can lead to the development of ailments and pathologies, including:

• Myoma of the uterus. Accompanied by the development of a tumor in the muscle tissues of the walls of the uterus. Fibroids may be associated with heavy bleeding or blood-streaked discharge.
• Polyps. Their growth is evidenced by mucus of a light gray or whitish hue with streaks of blood. Why do polyps appear? As a rule, they are formed due to a violation of the integrity of the walls of the uterus, which occurs during an abortion or other surgical interventions, and are dense pathological growths of tissues.
• Cervical erosion. One of the most common pathologies. Erosion is a pathological change in the tissues of the cervix and is accompanied by painful sensations and a small amount of bloody mucus. In the event that blood is released against the background of erosion for a long time, it is important to promptly seek help from a medical institution.
• Endometriosis. A peculiar menopausal feature, the cause of which is a decrease in the amount of female hormones produced, is called a decrease in the intensity of endometrial growth. That is, during menopause, women suffering from endometriosis note a complete cure. However, hormonal imbalances can also lead to intensive growth of the endometrium. As a rule, this happens against the background of past diseases of infectious and inflammatory pathogenesis.

You should know that the diseases included in the above list are especially difficult to treat with menopause, which is due to global changes in the hormonal background, a weakening of the immune barrier, and a number of other reasons. It is necessary to start treatment in a timely manner, since missing the deadlines can lead to very negative consequences.

Important! In the early stages, as well as after the end of the menopause, endometriosis is one of the factors predisposing the development of oncological formations.

So, with menopause, discharge is a variant of the norm only if they are colorless, odorless, appear in small quantities and are not accompanied by itching, pain or burning. If any disturbing symptom is detected, it is important to identify the cause of its occurrence in a timely manner and begin the use of adequate therapy. It is possible to quickly eliminate the disease and prevent complications only if therapeutic measures are taken in a timely manner.