Saturday, June 22, 2013

Menopausal Bleeding: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatments


Most women enter menopause between the ages of 40 and 50, and this is the point where their monthly menstruation cycles stop. However, it is possible for a woman to suffer from menopausal bleeding during this stage. This abnormal bleeding is one of the many menopause symptoms and it can lead to something more serious if not treated immediately. When this condition occurs, you are advised to consult a doctor. You should get yourself checked and treated immediately before it gets worse.

The Causes

Menopausal bleeding can be caused by several factors:

- Hormonal changes: The female sex hormones change drastically when a woman enters menopause. During this stage, the production of these hormones decreases and it causes a hormone imbalance in the body. This condition triggers various menopause symptoms and it may also cause abnormal bleeding.

- Hormone replacement therapy: Women often undergo hormone replacement therapy to cope with menopause. The medication can stimulate the uterine lining to thicken and then shed. This is what usually happens in monthly periods.

- Endometrial cancer: Women who are suffering from this type of cancer usually experience menopausal bleeding.

The Diagnosis Techniques

Your doctor will run some tests to know whether or not your bleeding is dangerous. The most common diagnosis techniques include:

- Endometrial biopsy: This test involves taking a small sample of the lining of your uterus. This sample is then examined to know if you have endometrial cancer or not.

- Dilation and curettage: This test is somewhat similar to endometrial biopsy; it involves the opening of the cervix and surgical removal of a small part of the uterine lining. After that, the tissue is examined carefully to determine the exact cause of the abnormal bleeding.

- Hysteroscopy: A hysteroscope (a type of endoscope) is inserted through your cervix to see if there are any abnormalities inside of uterus.

The Treatments

Some of the treatment options available for menopausal bleeding include:

- Hormone therapy: The purpose of this therapy is to stabilize the uterine lining. Commonly, the endometrium of women who are suffering from menopausal bleeding is either too thin or too thick. Therefore, a hormone therapy is needed to stabilize the tissue and stop the bleeding.

- Hysterectomy: This is surgery is performed to treat abnormal bleeding that is not caused by cancer.

- Alternative treatment: If you prefer to use natural remedies, you can try increasing your daily vitamin intake. B-Complex vitamins, vitamin A and vitamin C are helpful for reducing heavy bleeding.

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