Publication:

Postmenopausal bleeding: clinicopathologic study in a teaching hospital of Andhra Pradesh

Background Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) requires complete assessment in order to ensure the absence of malignancy and to identify and treat high risk patients such as those with endometrial hyperplasia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical significance and endometrial pathology in patients with postmenopausal bleeding.

Methods A retrospective study on postmenopausal women visiting Bhaskar Medical College & general hospital, Yenkapally, Andhra Pradesh between 2009-2011 was undertaken. About 30 patients (aged between 50-60 years) with postmenopausal bleeding were selected and these patients were evaluated by curettage, pelvic ultrasound and endometrial histology.

Results The commonest finding of pelvic USG was increased endometrial thickness (>4mm) (80%). The histopathological analysis showed proliferate endometrium (36.3%), atrophic endometrium (16.6%), cystoglandular hyperplasia (10%) and endometrium hyperplasia (6.6%). Incidence of cervical and endometrial carcinomas was 10% and 6.6%, respectively.

Conclusion the postmenopausal bleeding is an important symptom and requires careful and timely assessment to eliminate the possibility of malignancy as soon as possible.