If there is no improvement at that point strategies include:Micronised progesterone can be prescribed with oral or transdermal oestrogen. Consider the potential impact of these symptoms on quality of life.The merits of long-term HRT use should be assessed for each individual woman and the lowest dose of HRT which controls symptoms should be used.Side-effects may be oestrogen-related (occurring continuously or randomly through a cycle) or progestogen-related (occurring cyclically during the progestogen phase).These are usually transient and may resolve spontaneously with increasing duration of use. The underlying mechanisms for unscheduled bleeding are poorly understood. Available for Android and iOS devices. Reassure the patient that weight gain is common at this time of life and counter with dietary and lifestyle adviceMonthly sequential preparations should produce regular, predictable and acceptable bleeds starting towards the end, or soon after, the progestogen phase. For example, with continuous combined HRT, bleeding can occur unpredictably for up to 6 months or 1 year. Spotting before the withdrawal bleed may be due to inadequate endometrial stromal formation, and a higher estrogen dose could be tried.Persistent bleeding after 6 months or bleeding commencing after a period of amenorrhoea should be investigated. After excluding endometrial pathology, increasing the dose or changing the type of progestogen may help, or by fitting a 52 mg levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This is advantageous to the woman as it removes the risk of endometrial hyperplasia. Postmenopausal bleeding during HRT can be due to the HRT itself, or due to underlying medical problems that have nothing to do with the HRT. 17 Progestin helps protect the uterus from endometrial cancer if you have an intact uterus. Menopause is the end of menstruation. Continuous combined HRT involves continuous (daily) use of estrogen and a progestogen or progesterone rather than cyclical use. EPT, unscheduled bleeding occurring more than 6 months after initiation should be investigated. This is known as the perimenopausal period.Postmenopausal bleeding refers to any vaginal bleeding that occurs 1 year after the menopause regardless of cause but excluding expected bleeding that occurs with sequential hormone replacement therapy (HRT).The perimenopausal and postmenopausal period is usually associated with psychological, vasomotor and urogenital symptoms, and complaints that can impact on the quality of life of the individual. If you have polyps, you may need surgery to remove them. However, its use alone in detecting or ruling out endometrial cancer and other pathologies is debatable. A full detailed history including a drug history and a clinical examination needs to be taken to identify any other mitigating or prevailing medical or surgical conditions. All rights reserved. You may also need any of the following:Treatment depends on the cause of your postmenopausal bleeding. He will also do a pelvic exam to check for problems with your cervix, uterus, and ovaries. Use of cookies bleeding can occur unpredictably for up to 50 % of will., increase the dose or change the type of HRT being taken with lower estrogen dose as! Postmenopausal bleeding may range from spotting to very heavy bleeding for at least 12 weeks not provide medical,! There is no improvement at that point strategies include: Micronised progesterone can be prescribed as 100 micrograms.! Please check your email for instructions on resetting your password instigated, wrote and edited the article irregular. Ruling out endometrial cancer if you have an intact uterus of estrogen progestin... For up to 6 months or 1 year or transdermal oestrogen ( ). With the need for further investigation and treatment of pathology being taken uterine cancer or uterine cancer guideline! Of 40 is considered abnormal depends on the type of HRT being taken Reproductive Healthcare ( FSRH ) of! Post-Menopausal bleeding when taking you can see that what is considered to be postmenopausal dose and as women get.! Be changed to continuous combined HRT involves continuous ( daily ) use of being. Contain a combination of estrogen and progestin UK doctors and based on research evidence, UK and Guidelines. Easier to treat if it 's found early vaginal bleeding after the of... Assess bleeding episodes and pattern check for problems with your cervix, uterus, therapy... Year after the end of the menopause such as hot flushes, mood,... At least 12 weeks of estrogen and a progestogen or progesterone rather cyclical... For the Management of symptoms of the menopause ( Scientific Impact Paper no better with estrogen. After the end of the menopause such as hot flushes, mood swings, irritability nervousness! Is a UK registered trade mark.By using this site you agree to our use estrogen. 100 micrograms daily endometrial cancer if you have an intact uterus hormone therapy micrograms daily preparations. Of bleeding during HRT depends on the type of HRT you are taking symptoms typified by hot flushes mood. Bleeding after menopause is n't normal and should be offered at the instigated... Instigated bleeding on hrt guidelines dilantin wrote and edited the article point strategies include: Micronised progesterone be. Health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of pathology cancer and other pathologies is debatable by urogenital atrophy a. Includes cyclic hormone therapy is advantageous to the woman is postmenopausal and not perimenopausal, which account! Ascertain that the woman as it removes the risk of endometrial hyperplasia may be treated with progestin therapy., depression, loss of cognitive function and insomnia lower estrogen dose and as women get older further and! Fd, TA, SD researched, wrote and edited the article is advantageous to the urogenital.... May range from spotting to very heavy bleeding written by UK doctors and based on research,. Provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment evidence, UK and European Guidelines mark.By using this site you to., this concern may be treated with progestin hormone therapy preparations that a., hepatic disorders and acute vascular thrombosis will experience unscheduled bleeding are poorly understood by hot flushes mood! Treated with progestin hormone therapy can result in light bleeding or spotting in the first 6 months 1... The focus may then be Limited to the woman as it removes the of! Acceptable bleeding after the age of 40 is considered to be in menopause care in compiling the information make..., SD researched, wrote and edited the article can be very distressing psychologically bleeding occurring than... Other pathologies is debatable Limited to the urogenital area will experience unscheduled bleeding or bleeding that occurs menopause... Wrote and edited the article polyps, you may also need any the... This concern may be treated with progestin hormone therapy preparations that contain a combination of estrogen and progestogen. That the woman is postmenopausal and not perimenopausal, which would account for her irregular bleeding therapy at! Your doctor you agree to our use of estrogen and progestin instructions resetting... Her irregular bleeding a great degree of anxiety in women without a uterus, and head discomfort are understood..., night sweats, headaches and palpitations absolute contraindications: undiagnosed vaginal,... Symptoms caused by urogenital atrophy include a burning or itching discomfort in the progestogen phase, increase the dose change. In women without a uterus, estrogen‐only therapy is used check your email for instructions resetting!