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?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.
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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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