Instability of the lining of the womb

What is instability of the lining of the womb?

Instability of the lining of the womb is the most common cause of postmenopausal bleeding. It is caused by low estrogen levels.

Symptoms

The tissues (vagina, endometrium) become atrophic due to low estrogen levels. The tissue then becomes prone to bleeding and spotting.

Treatment

Treatment is generally not required. Vaginal estrogen treatment may be beneficial. It is important to rule out other causes of bleeding such as abnormal cells within the uterus (endometrial hyperplasia), and cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer). This may necessitate a biopsy of the uterus.

How we can help

If you think you may have this condition and would like to talk to us about how we can help, please feel free to contact us. You can also request an appointment online.

Further reading

Further information

Symptoms

Irregular or unscheduled bleeding

There are a number of causes of irregular bleeding, and our investigations will depend a bit on your age and fertility plans. Common causes can include endometriosis, infection, instability of the lining of the womb, ovarian cysts, perimenopause, polycystic ovarian syndrome, polyps, and early pregnancy. Find out more

Postmenopausal bleeding

Any bleeding in the menopause is abnormal and needs to be investigated. It is most often caused by fragile tissues (vagina, endometrium) due to lack of estrogen production. Endometrial hyperplasia and cancer may be the cause in 5-10% of cases, and if promptly attended to, treatment is highly successful. Find out more