Q: What causes post-menopausal bleeding?

Most women will go through the menopause around the age of 50. If you develop bleeding after your periods stop, you must let your doctor know. Although in the vast majority of cases, (9 out of 10), the cause of the bleeding will be benign (non-cancerous) it is nevertheless a symptom of cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrial cancer), and so it should not be ignored. You should immediately arrange to see your doctor. Even if you do have a cancer, it can be cured if it is detected early enough. 

Post-menopausal bleeding may also be a symptom of cervical cancer, although cervical cancer is much less common in the UK. Again, as long as it is detected early enough this cancer can be cured.

Cancer of the vulva (the skin-covered area between the legs on the outside of the vagina) can also cause post-menopausal bleeding but this is often associated with a lump or an ulcer on the vulva.

-- Miss Adeola Olaitan, Consultant Gynaecologist, University College Hospital, London