Some type of vaginal discharge is common throughout a woman’s life, including during and after menopause. When a woman nears or reaches menopause, the main change she experiences is that the normal bleeding she has due to menstruation will become irregular, then slow and ultimately cease. This process is slightly different for every woman, so variations in how monthly bleeding stops are normally no cause for concern.
If a woman has reached menopause, which means she has not had a menstrual period for at least a year, she should never see any vaginal discharge that contains blood. If she has any kind of a bloody vaginal discharge and menopause, it is an indication that she may have a serious condition and should consult a physician as soon as possible. This type of discharge can indicate the possibility of many different conditions, including fibroids or uterine cancer. In most cases, it is likely to be a benign problem, but because the possibility of cancer exists, it is important to get it checked.
Other times, the combination of vaginal discharge and menopause can be a cause for concern if the discharge is oddly colored, such as brown or light pink. Such discolored discharge is likely to be the result of some type of bleeding and it can indicate a problem with the vagina, cervix or uterus. It should be investigated, even if it is not accompanied by any other symptoms. This type of bleeding is often caused by polyps or fibroids, but it can signal other problems as well.
Sometimes as a woman gets older, the problem with vaginal discharge and menopause is that she tends to stop having normal discharge, due to hormonal changes, which results in vaginal dryness. This can cause problems during sexual intercourse, but it is normal and rarely indicates any type of a serious problem. Generally, women are able to resolve difficulties with vaginal dryness during intercourse through the use of lubricants.
In some cases a woman’s concerns about vaginal discharge and menopause relate to the presence of a clear or whitish discharge. This type of discharge is normal at all stages of a woman’s life, and is not a cause for concern. Only if the discharge becomes excessive or if it has a foul odor does it need to be investigated further. In such cases the discharge could be a symptom of a yeast or other infection, which requires medical assistance to resolve.