Is It Normal To Experience Vaginal Spotting During Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Posted on Wed, 8 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 8 Jul 2015 Answered on

Tue, 28 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a healthy 63 year old female. For the last 3 months I have had what appears to be light periods lasting for a week to a week and half each time. I went through menopause at age 50 and I have been on hormone replacement therapy for about 2 years now. Do I need to be concerned? Thank you

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry about, but please get a workup done.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
While on hormone replacement therapy, it is normal for post menopausal women to experience some amount of spotting / bleeding.
This is due to the effect of the hormones .
So there is no cause for concern here.
However, a workup should be done so that you can be totally reassured.
As long as the workup is normal, there is no need to worry.
THe workup should include an internal exam by a Specialist OB - GYN, A Pap smear and a pelvic transvaginal ultrasound scan.
PLease get that done, and then you can relax.
All the best.
Please feel free to discuss further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar