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I’m taking a break from my normal posts to write this important PSA.  This one is for the postmenopausal women out there.  If you’re uncomfortable reading or talking about vagina’s and how they work, then strap in because we still need to talk!  This is important.  You need to know what to do when you are spotting after Menopause.

I’m two years postmenopausal which means that since January 2016, I haven’t had a period.  Happy Dance!  Seriously.  After years of always needing to have supplies at the ready.  After years of having the knack of getting my period at awkward times. (I once got my period for two weeks-TWO WEEKS-after breaking my elbow!)  After years of the added expense of supplies.  My period was finally over.  So yes.  Happy Dance!  That is after it finally stopped for good!

I say for good because for the last two years before menopause set in, I got my period once every six months.  Like clockwork.  January and July.  What a treat.  (She said sarcastically.)  After a couple of months, you start to think it might be gone for good.  By the fourth month, you stop carrying any supplies and by the sixth month, you get it again!  Aargh.  Like I said, awkward.

Needless to say, these last two years without a period at all have been wonderful.  Not worrying about stains, no carrying extra supplies in the bag, no extra expenses. And NO awkwardness.

Then it happened.  One morning I woke up with spotting.  WTF!  This can’t be happening.  But it was and it continued for the next few days.  So I called my Nurse Practitioner (APRN) and she made an immediate appointment for me.  Why?  Because bleeding after menopause is NOT normal.  That bears repeating.  Bleeding after menopause is NOT normal.  You need to make an appointment with your healthcare professional.  Immediately.  Don’t wait.

Why the Urgency?

Spotting after menopause could be ok.  But the chances are also high that it could be a form of cancer such as uterine or cervical.  It could also be fibroids or polyps or even an infection.  It’s important that you get checked out right away.  The cause of your bleeding might not be serious BUT only your healthcare professional can tell you for sure.

I am lucky.  It is not cancer.  But I’m glad that I had it checked out so I could be sure.

You need to know what to do when you are spotting after menopause, which is to reach out to your healthcare professional. If you start spotting or bleeding after menopause, it’s important that you get it checked out.  Here is a link for more information from the Mayo Clinic, but no website can replace your own Doctor or Nurse Practioner.