I know before I type this you'll say "See the GP" which I will do : but is this "A Thing" with menopause?

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Briefly-
I'm 51, 2 DC.
Not had a period since January 2014. Before I was having regular sometimes heavy periods then..........nothing. No trailing off , no 2-3 months in between, just stopped.

I had a blood test which showed I was just off peri-menopause.

I don't take HRT . I do take herbal (Red Clover) for flushes and they seem to have abated.

So this week , maybe 3 days, I had dark, very slight bleeding. Not fresh blood , more a swipe on the loo roll.
No pains (apart from ongoing IBS)

I do need to go to the GP , I know. Symptoms of ovarian problems are often overlooked as being IBS.
I had a scan about 3.5 years ago, ovaries were clear then but I had a gallstone , gallbladder removed .

Anyone similar?

ohh I forgot , I had a longish spell of nothing (about 8 months or so) in the 3-4 months before they stopped .
So waiting every month (they were regular before) then about Oct-Jan heavy every 3 weeks........then stopped without trace.

I thought it was done in those 8 months but back with vengance.
Now nothing for years and back with a whimper.

Clear as mud eh?

The guidance is that any bleeding occurring more than 2 Yeats after periods stopped needs investigating.
It's probably OK, and I think hormone levels continue to fluctuate ( as evidenced by hot flushes), which I guess could be a reason for bleeding now, but you know you need to see your GP, in order to eliminate anything sinister.

As above - see your GP who should refer you for a scan within 2 weeks.

It's possible- just- that it's the red clover if you have used it long term- it can act like an estrogen.

read this paper by Nick Panay- top UK researcher/ consultant.

There is a section on red clover where it does say long term safety has not been studied.
nickpanay.com/Papers%20pdf/Alternatives%20to%20HRT%20RCOG.pdf

You could though have a polyp on the cervix or in your uterus which could be bleeding. Assume you are up to date with smears?

Please do phone your GP surgery. You might be able to have a telephone appointment with duty GP and they should refer you under the two week wait for scans/ gynaecologist.

Please do not ignore. Feel free to PM me @70isaLimitNotaTarget

To correct the above - the timescale after which a doctor should be consulted after bleeding following cessation of periods is 12 months not two years and defines post-menopausal bleeding. This can have many causes including vaginal (due to vaginal atrophy) as well as cervical (eg sometimes if it occurs after sex), or from the endometrium itself as well as causes already mentioned.

Thank You for your replies . I'm seeing the Practice Nurse soon then I'll take it from there (I have very little faith in my GPs unfortunately)

The bleeding stopped after maybe 3-4 days it was not red blood more like the very tail end of period blood , dark but sparse.

I'll report back what happens.

Sorry I missed Delphinuim's comment about 2 yrs. As Lulu says it's def 12 months.

TBH 70 You do need a GP because they will refer you under the 2-week rule for a scan and then a consultant's opinion. Your nurse won't have the authority or even the necessary knowledge to do this.

You do need to get this checked out because at worst it could be something serious so don't delay.

Please do see the doctor my Mum had similar 1 day bleed if she hadn't seen the doctor 10 years ago I wouldn't have her.

I don't want to scare you just want you to get checked out xx