Frequency of the Causes of Postmenopausal Bleeding, Results of a Tertiary Referral Center in Turkey

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of etiologic factors that causes postmenopausal bleeding.

STUDY DESIGN: For the purpose, a total number of 200 women with postmenopausal bleeding were included in the study. Medical records regarding history, physical examination, and endometrium biopsy of these cases were retrospectively analyzed. The frequency of etiologic factors and relevancy of pathological results with demographic factors were determined.

RESULTS: Most frequent histopathologic diagnosis of the women with postmenopausal bleeding were established as endometrial atrophy, endometrial polyp, inadequate material, cancer, proliferative endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and other disorders respectively. Contrarily the previous studies, our study showed that estrogen replacement therapy was not a reason for postmenopausal bleeding.

CONCLUSION: Although endometrial atrophy is the most frequent cause, postmenopausal bleeding should promptly be evaluated since endometrial hyperplasia and cancer are frequently the underlying cause. We found that premalignant and malignant lesions were related to the patients’ BMI (body mass index), duration of postmenopause, the presence of diabetes, determination of thick endometrium by ultrasonography.