Bleeding After One Year of Menopause

This includes pink or brown discharge, spotting noticed only when wiping, and a flow resembling a period. Do not assume that normal periods have restarted.

Menopause lowers oestrogen, which can leave the vaginal and urinary tissues dry, thin, and prone to irritation. Bleeding may also arise from cervical or womb polyps, changes in the womb lining, medicines, or hormone therapy. Cancer of the womb, cervix, or vagina can present with postmenopausal bleeding, so assessment is needed to identify the source.

The clinician may ask about the colour and amount of blood, pelvic symptoms, hormone use, and medicines. Examination, pelvic ultrasound, or sampling of the womb lining may be offered according to the findings.

Contact a gynaecology or primary-care service promptly and say clearly that the bleeding began after a year without periods. Write down when it happened, whether it followed sex, any discharge or pain, and every prescription, supplement, or hormone product you take.

A pad can help show the amount and colour if bleeding continues. Check whether the blood appears vaginal, in urine, or after a bowel movement, but arrange care even if you cannot tell. Keep taking prescribed medicines unless the prescribing clinician advises a change.

Seek urgent medical attention if bleeding becomes heavy, you feel faint or very weak, or you have severe pelvic or abdominal pain, breathlessness, fever, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Urgency comes from these warning signs; light bleeding without them still needs a prompt appointment.

Ask where the blood appears to originate, which tests are recommended, whether hormone treatment or another medicine could contribute, when results will be available, and what change in bleeding should prompt urgent contact while you wait.