The aetiology of postmenopausal bleeding--a study of 163 consecutive cases in Singapore.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the aetiology and pattern of Postmenopausal Bleeding (PMB) in the local population. DESIGN: A retrospective study SUBJECTS: 163 consecutive patients who presented with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) SETTING: Kandang Kerbau Hospital, Singapore RESULTS: Malignant causes were found in 42 (25.7%) patients. Cervical carcinoma was the most common malignancy (12.9% of the patients) followed by endometrial carcinoma (11%). Important benign causes are cervicitis (12.9%), atrophic vaginitis (12.3%) and cervical polyp (6.7%). Other benign causes include endometrial hyperplasia (3.1%), urethral caruncle (2.5%) and estrogen replacement therapy (1.8%). CONCLUSION: PMB is a symptom of varied aetiologies. The associated incidence of malignancy is high and a thorough diagnostic evaluation is mandatory.