According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, menopause is defined as the absence of the menstrual cycle for a year. The range for menopause for women is usually between age 45 to age 55. When a woman goes through a regular menstrual cycle, the hormones estrogen and progesterone allow the ovary to release the egg and for it to be fertilized. Progesterone is what enables the lining of the uterus, the endometrium to thicken. When it decreases, the endometrium is shed and bleeding occurs, the menstrual period. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that bleeding after menopause is seen as abnormal, and the causes should be explored.
Polyps
Polyps are non cancerous growths seen on the wall of the uterus, or found on the surface of the endometrium. They are also seen on the cervix, which connects the uterus with the vagina. Polyps can be a cause of abnormal or heavy bleeding post menopause. When found on the cervix, they can cause bleeding after sexual intercourse.
Endometrial Hyperplasia and Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial hyperplasia occurs when the lining of the uterus thickens. This happens when there is an abnormal increase of estrogen levels without an increase in progesterone. This can cause irregular or heavy bleeding in menopause. In some cases, the cells lining the uterus are abnormal and can lead to endometrial cancer. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, bleeding is considered the most common sign of endometrial cancer in menopausal women.
Hormonal Therapy
According to Dr. J. Glenn Bradley, writing for OBGYN.net, hormonal replacement therapy is a cause of breakthrough bleeding in menopause. Women in menopause have low levels of estrogen, and are given estrogen replacement therapy. This can cause breakthrough bleeding through the extreme thickening of the endometrium. Also when the estrogen levels are low, there is thinning of the endometrium, which can cause the blood vessels to break, and breakthrough bleeding.
