Can periods restart after menopause?
Ask the doctor
Q.
I'm several years past menopause, but the other day I noticed blood in my underwear. Can periods resume after this length of time?
A. In short, no, and this development is a red flag. Women officially reach menopause after 12 consecutive months without a period, and bleeding vaginally after this point requires evaluation.
That said, there are several explanations for bleeding after menopause, and most aren't serious. The most common reason is vaginal dryness or atrophy, which stems from a drop in estrogen that thins and dries vaginal and vulval tissues. When this delicate skin becomes chafed — particularly after vaginal sex — it can bleed. Other culprits include medication side effects, various infections, or a thickening of the uterine lining called endometrial hyperplasia. The most serious reason for postmenopausal bleeding, however, is cancer — whether of the uterus, cervix, vagina, or vulva.
Any vaginal bleeding after menopause warrants a doctor's evaluation. You may undergo various procedures and tests to determine the cause, including a pelvic exam, pelvic ultrasound, or biopsy of the uterine lining.
Image: © Volanthevist/Getty Images
About the Author
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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