Post-menopause is the last stage of menopause and officially marks the ending of a woman's reproductive years. She will no longer have a menstrual cycle and will enter "the change." This nickname signifies a group of symptoms that some women experience: hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, fatigue and insomnia. Women may also experience vaginal bleeding or spotting in menopause; however, this is not a normal menopause symptom.
Stages of Menopause
Menopause is divided into three stages: perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. Perimenopause is the two- to eight-year transitional stage that occurs before menopause begins. In this stage a woman's estrogen level rises, then drops dramatically, causing irregularities in the menstrual cycle. Menopause begins between the ages of 45 and 55, when the level of estrogen declines to a point that menstruation ends, according to MedlinePlus.com. Menopause starts on day one of the first menstrual cycle, although it's actually marked from the 12th missed menstrual cycle. Post-menopause begins the first day after 12 missed menstrual cycles.
Vaginal Causes
During menopause and post-menopause, the low estrogen level causes the vaginal canal to be less lubricated, which results in vaginal dryness and thinner vaginal walls. Some women experience this painful dryness during sexual intercourse and some even find sex unbearable. This dryness may cause bleeding after sexual intercourse. Additional symptoms of vaginal atrophy are vaginal burning, watery discharge, burning with urination, urinary tract infections and shortening of the vaginal canal.
Uterine Causes
Uterine causes of abnormal bleeding post-menopause are uterine polyps and endometrial hyperplasia. Uterine polyps are benign uterine growths that grow from the uterine lining and hang into the uterine cavity. These growths can be as small as a sesame seed or as large as a golf ball. Polyps can also form on the cervix, which may cause bleeding after sexual intercourse. Endometrial hyperplasia occurs when the lining of the uterus thickens. In post-menopausal women, this occurs as a result of long-term estrogen supplementation without progesterone. The lining becomes abnormally thick and can cause bleeding and increased risk of uterine cancer, if cells become abnormal.
Sexually Transmitted Disease
Even after menopause, women run the risk of catching a sexually transmitted disease--STD. Women must use adequate protection to keep from catching STDs. STDs such as gonorrhea can cause abnormal bleeding as a side effect. Other symptoms of STDs are excessive discharge, vaginal odor and abnormal bleeding.
Warnings
Unexplained pain and heavy bleeding should be reported to a health professional. Any bleeding experienced in menopause is abnormal and should be reported to a physician.
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