Perimenopausia y menopausia
Bleeding after menopause
Revisado: 4 de octubre de 2026
Solo en inglés por ahoraAny bleeding from the vagina after menopause should be checked by a doctor promptly, even if it is light or happens once. Most causes are not cancer, but it must be checked.
What counts as bleeding after menopause
Postmenopausal bleeding is any bleeding from the vagina after your menopause, which means after you have gone 12 months without a period. It includes spotting and very light bleeding. It needs to be checked even if it is only a small amount, or if it has only happened once.
Why it needs checking
Most of the time the cause is not serious. Sometimes, though, bleeding is an early sign of cancer, such as womb cancer, which is why a check matters. Finding the cause early means that any problem can be treated sooner. See a doctor or nurse as soon as possible, and do not wait to see whether it happens again.
Common causes
Most often, the cause is not cancer. Lower oestrogen after menopause can make the lining of the vagina or the womb thinner and inflamed (atrophic vaginitis or endometrial atrophy). Polyps, which are small growths on the cervix or in the womb, are another cause and are usually not cancer. A thickened womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia) can also cause bleeding. Less often, the cause is cancer, such as womb or ovarian cancer.
What tests to expect
A doctor will usually examine your pelvis and vagina. You may be offered a vaginal ultrasound scan to look at your womb. Some people also have a hysteroscopy, where a thin camera is used to look inside the womb, and a small sample of tissue (biopsy) may be taken for testing. Treatment depends on what the tests find.
When to get help
Book an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible for any bleeding after menopause, even if it has already stopped. Noting the dates and how heavy it was, for example in Ciclo, can help you describe it. If you take HRT, some bleeding is expected. Some types cause a monthly bleed, and spotting is common in the first few months. See a doctor if irregular bleeding lasts more than 6 months after starting HRT, gets heavier, or starts after your bleeding had stopped. Get emergency help if the bleeding is very heavy and you feel dizzy or faint.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Any bleeding after menopause should be checked by a doctor, even if it is light or has stopped.