Bleeding after four years

[wondabar]

I am 48 and my periods stopped around 5 years ago. I'm on Oestrogel pump and provers HRTand have been getting on with them. I've had weight gain overt the past few years who no diet or exercise regime seems to shift. A few days ago I started bleeding and it has lasted a few days. Not a huge amount but definitely period-like. Should I be concerned? I have t contacted the GP as it is next to impossible to see them.

Contact your GP urgently and insist to be seen face to face. I don’t want to be alarmist but I believe this can be a cancer symptom

Yes bleeding after menopause needs to be checked out urgently by the GP. Please push for an emergency appointment. Most likely there is an explanation other than something sinister but it should be a priority to get it checked.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-menopausal-bleeding/

I hope it is nothing serious but please do get checked out!

You do need to insist on being seen by your GP. Any post menopausal bleeding should be investigated as, without wishing to be too alarmist, it is a potential marker for cancer, which needs to be ruled out.

This is the symptom I had. I had to insist on a referral as I was fobbed off several times. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

You should see your GP but it's most likely your own cycle resuming.

What's missing from the other posts here is the knowledge about POI (premature ovarian insufficiency- early or premature menopause). This is when periods stop before age 45.

When this happens, there are a small number of women whose fertility returns.

It's a more likely explanation. You're in a very different (and better) situation than a woman of 60 , not on HRT, who's not had any bleeding for 10 years.

The risks of endometrial cancer when using HRT are minute and also most non existent. (There is a lot online on this in research papers but I don't have time to link.)

Bleeding when on Oestrogel and progesterone tablets is not uncommon if you take the tablets 2 weeks on 2 weeks off.
I was still having a light bleed every month after 10 years, which has now stopped after changing to taking a tablet every day.
See your GP though to put your mind at rest.

Thanks everyone. I have been taking the two tablets every day for five years as I was no longer having periods. I have made an appointment to see the GP but they can't see me for another few weeks. I feel that if they thought it was urgent they would see me sooner. I'll go to A &E if the needing gets much worse

Hi OP. Unexpected bleeding in post menopausal women should be investigated through the 2 week wait pathway.

Please contact your GP surgery and tell them this.
The diagnostic process is a scan to determine the thickness of your womb lining, and referral to Gynaecology for review and for an endometrial biopsy if needed.

You are prescribed HRT that should not cause any bleeding at this stage. Please call the surgery tomorrow and be insistent. Explain the above to the receptionist and don’t be fobbed off.

This.

Post menopausal bleeding must always be investigated. I’d call the GP back and request an urgent appointment.

I absolutely agree that you need to insist on an appointment. Don’t rely on the idea that if you need to be seen they would act. They don’t. My GPs fobbed me off before Covid and the telephone appointment system. I had post-menopausal bleeding and ovarian cancer was causing it.

Don’t accept this, get back to the GP for an emergency appointment and be forceful about it. 3 weeks is far too long what is the most common sign of cervical and ovarian cancer.

Not on HRT but did have post menopausal bleeding. Phoned GP and he immediately referred me on the 2 week pathway. Your GP must do this for you so please be insistent or speak to another GP.

Likelihood it's nothing for concern but best to get checked out.

OP does need a referral to see what's going on but be aware that she is only 48 and after an early menopause at 43, it's not unknown for periods to start again. She's not the same as women who have menopause at the normal age.

This is on the Daisy Network site. https://www.daisynetwork.org/about-poi/what-is-poi/

POI is different to menopause that occurs at around the average age (52 years). Not only does it occur at a very young age, but the ovaries often don’t completely fail. This means that ovarian function can fluctuate over time, occasionally resulting in a period, ovulation or even pregnancy, several years after diagnosis. Because of this intermittent temporary return of ovarian function, approximately 5-10% of women with POI may still conceive.

I did have a pelvic ultrasound and the sonography said that all seems fine. However, I am still bleeding a small amount each day. I will be seeing my GP tomorrow. Would anything severe have been picked up in the ultrasound?