Menopause refers to the complete cessation of menstruation. Technically, if you have not had a period continuously for 12 full months, you can take it that you have touched menopause. On an average, women today tend to have their menopause around the age of 45 to 55, but the exact age of a person’s menopause will depend on her family history, her own time of attaining menarche (first period) and other health factors.
If a woman experiences post-menopausal bleeding, the first thing the doctor would advise is to go in for a scan to pin down the reason behind the discharge of blood. In some cases, the endometrium or lining of the uterus may become thin and detach from the uterus thus leading to bleeding. Another cause is the growth of tissue in the uterus, which are known as ‘polyps’. In cases where one or more polyps are detected, the doctor will send the tissue for histopathological examination to rule out cancerous lesions. If the growth is found to be benign, a follow up is sufficient. Intensive surgery is not required.
The scan will also help the doctor to look out for early signs of malignancies in the uterus. The presence of irregularities or numerous blood vessels, or abnormal shape of the uterus are some signs to look out for. Tissues samples may be sent for testing and an MRI may be advised. If any sort of cancer were to be detected, the doctor may advise hysterectomy (removal of uterus) and send the specimen for histopathological examination.
The important thing to remember is that the condition is treatable so long as the cause is detected in good time. So, if a woman experiences post-menopausal bleeding, the best course of action is to consult a doctor and get a scan done.
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