Leaks During Menopause: What To Do?

Have you also noticed some blood loss in Menopause despite your period not coming for at least a year?

Don’t be afraid, this is known as spotting; a symptom to be known and not to be underestimated, which requires the consultation of your trusted doctor or gynaecologist.

Let’s look at the causes of spotting together and why it is important to check for any bleeding – brown or pink – right from the onset of menopause and pre-menopause.

Spotting in Menopause and Pre-Menopause: when it is “normal”

During pre-menopause and the onset of menopause, blood loss, from pink to red (or brown), can be the obvious sign of hormonal alterations in progress, the main organic cause of spotting.

In particular, spotting him in pre – Menopause is caused by hormonal disruptions that affect not only estrogen levels falling, but also those of progesterone.

At the beginning of menopause, however, it may be due to the few estrogens still present in the circulation.

In practice, if your period has been absent for more than a year, then spotting should not occur. That is, you shouldn’t notice pink to brown spots on your undergarments, let alone bleeding in menopause.

However, if this happens, it is important to immediately consult your doctor of confidence or Gynaecologist, particularly if:

1. The loss or drops of blood in menopause are substantial;
2. They last for an unusual period of time;
3. They show up after having intercourse;

You are taking medications or other synthetic estrogen-based remedies to control menopause symptoms.

In addition, spotting may be due to stress, a major functional cause of pre-menopausal blood loss, as well as between cycles even in women of childbearing age.

There is no need to be scared, but we advise you to investigate the causes of the spotting. Immediately consulting your Gynaecologist in order to be able to reassure you. Evaluate any alternative therapies and verify the presence or absence of other problems to be solved.

What are the main causes of post-menopausal bleeding?

The causes of spotting in menopause and pre-menopause can be varied: from a simple infection or inflammation to a therapy that is too strong or incorrect, passing through morphological alterations of the female genital system (uterus and vagina), up to in the most cases extremes to uterine cancer.

Investigation is necessary, first of all to rule out severe complications. Early diagnosis, in fact, is essential to intervene effectively right away.

In any case, understanding the causes of spotting allows us to solve the problem, even in the presence of other annoying and treatable problems, in order to improve the health and quality of life of the woman in this moment already marked by important changes.

The main organic cause of spotting is represented by changes in estrogen levels that can favor structural and functional alterations at the uterine level that manifest themselves with bleeding, but it is not the only one.

1. Hormone therapy

If you are taking synthetic or natural estrogen, or are being treated with HRT, as well as supplementing soy and red clover isoflavones, or lignans from flaxseed oil, spotting represents one of the potential side effects to know and control.

Generally, it is the consequence of too high dosages and everything should be resolved with an adjustment of the dose by the doctor or gynecologist.

2. Endometrial atrophy

Endometrial atrophy is mainly due to the lowering of estrogen levels.

In particular, low estrogen levels can cause dryness or thinning of the vaginal wall and this can lead to heavy bleeding.

3. Endometrial hyperplasia

Hyperplasia in menopause, on the other hand, is due to the increase in estrogen levels in association with low levels of progesterone which cause an unresponsive stimulus of the uterus that is no longer functional.

In practice, these hormonal alterations lead to a thickening of the uterine wall which, if neglected, can degenerate into uterine cancer.

4. Polyps

These are growths that can develop in the cervix or uterus and could cause bleeding. they are usually benign in character.

How to Diagnose and Treat Abnormal Leaks?

In addition to a visit, the doctor may deem it necessary to undergo further analyzes, including instrumental ones (for example hormone dosage and transvaginal ultrasound), to understand the causes of the bleeding.

Once the problem has been identified, you will be offered different treatments, to be evaluated together with your doctor.

For example, here are some possible solutions :

1. Polyps can be removed by surgery;
2. Endometrial atrophy can be treated pharmacologically;
3. Endometrial hyperplasia through progesterone treatment, or it can be removed using hysteroscopy.

If the bleeding is due to synthetic or natural estrogen therapy (HRT), the doctor may adjust the dosage or consider alternative hormone therapies to alleviate hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.

Alternatives to drug treatment

For example, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or norepinephrine (SNRIs) are available as an alternative to HRT.

Alternatives to isoflavones and lignans

Several herbal extracts are available to support menopausal disorders that do not modulate hormone levels.

In particular:

• Sage extracts for hot flashes and night sweats;

• The extracts of maca and rhodiola as tonics in case of fatigue and adaptogens to favor the adaptation to stress;

• Valerian , lemon balm or griffonia extracts for mood problems and sleep disturbances;
• Extracts of green tea , artichoke and chilli in case of a swollen belly, to promote the stimulation of metabolism and also the drainage of body fluids;
• Some B vitamins and vitamin C to support regular energy metabolism and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

The vitamin D is also shown to maintain normal bone; the zinc and copper, however, assisted by vitamin C, help to protect cells from oxidative stress. And with chromium, they regulate the metabolism of macronutrients, carbohydrates, lipids and proteins.

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This information on menopausal spotting is intended to give you greater awareness of a discomfort that can occur before and even after this important period of change.

Although these abnormal menopausal blood loss is not, in most cases, a symptom of something serious, it is always best to see your doctor as soon as possible.

For the doctor, in fact, the diagnosis is easier precisely during bleeding: he can determine where it comes from and the causes of the appearance of those annoying dark spots in menopause and pre-menopause.

Remember that the diagnosis is essential to understand what it is and to guide the Doctor in choosing the treatment that best suits your needs.

Information source: https://www.healthline.com