Menopause is essentially the transition between fertility and infertility. It's the natural end of a woman's childbearing years. But it isn't until a woman has experienced a total of 12 consecutive months without menstruation that she's officially gone through menopause, according to the Mayo Clinic. Up until then she may still be considered perimenopausal and still subject to the symptoms of menopause.
Postmenopause
After a woman has gone through menopause, she's now in the stage of life that is referred to as postmenopause. Her body is no longer producing eggs or progesterone, and her estrogen levels are much lower than while in her childbearing years. Most of the time, a woman who is postmenopausal should experience a relief from all the symptoms that typically accompany menopause, such as hot flashes, sleep disruptions, mood swings and menstrual irregularities.
Breast Tenderness
Medically known as mastalgia, breast tenderness is typically associated with hormonal fluctuations in woman's body. It isn't uncommon to experience some tenderness within the breast tissue both prior and during menstruation. However, the Mayo Clinic maintains that some women can experience breast tenderness even after menopause.
Significance of Breast Tenderness
When a woman does experience some breast tenderness after menopause, it's commonly a side effect of hormone therapy. Supplementing progesterone and estrogen during menopause can cause the body to continue to manifest symptoms of menopause even after a woman's gone a full year without a period. According to the Mayo Clinic, breast discomfort can occur up to two years after menopause. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't consult with a physician, because it can be a sign of something serious.
Menstruation
Menstruation after menopause is another story. It's typically an indication of one of two things. Vaginal bleeding could mean you're either still going through menopause or suffering from an underlying condition. If you haven't experienced a total of 12 uninterrupted months without a period, you're not postmenopausal and can still have your menstrual cycle. If you've already went a full year without a period, you should consult a medical professional if you experience vaginal bleeding.
Significance of Menstruation
With menstruation after menopause, it's commonly linked to a thinning of the uterine wall, according to the Mayo Clinic. With the decrease in estrogen, the tissue of the uterine wall tends to thin. However, it may also be a result of hormone therapy, much like breast tenderness. Regardless of the reason, contact your doctor. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be an indication of polyps, fibroids, hyperplasia or even cancer.
