Full menopause but period, anyone else?

[WeirdButTrueISwear]

So I'm 54 and been in menopause since 50. Like, no periods for 4 years. Last month, to my surprise, I start getting the same ovulation symptoms I knew so well for decades: dull ache in ovary, thin vaginal flow for 2 days(sorry TMI) etc. Then straight away the tender breasts for 10 days, then cramps for 2days followed by BOOM full period! Everything like it used to be before menopause. I can't be the only one. This is normal, right???

No it is not normal. ANY bleeding after you have been through the menopause needs to be investigated by a GP.

If you go on the NHS website (if you're in the UK) it will tell you what to expect/ what tests will happen when you go to the GP.

I know, but it's not 'bleeding'. It's a period, I swear😰

I'm confused - how is a period not bleeding?

It’s not normal. It may be fine, but any post menopausal bleeding needs investigating. Don’t leave it to se what happens. If nothing else, it will get you in the system rather than waiting until symptoms worsen and you won’t be seen any quicker. Believe me when I say that, my experience of anything womb/gyn takes ages.

What I meant is,it's not some random bleeding: it's definitely a period

You still need to see your GP. It's 4 years since your last period. Period or not, they need to check there's nothing else going on to trigger this.

My colleague had this. Was fast tracked by the GP for a scan I think. It's really not normal.

You need to contact your GP straight away and will be referred for an ultrasound scan. That should happen in 2 weeks but depends on your location as some are taking longer.

It's unusual to have ovarian activity after 4 years in your 50s.
Some women who have an early menopause (before 45) do go more than a year without periods, then they resume.

One thing for you to get your head round when you see your GP is to think if you have had any bleeding in the past 4 years, such as light spotting etc that could have been a light period. Some periods when they fizzle out can be no more than a darkish discharge or spotting.

To be honest, the guidance for GPs is to assume it's an urgent referral, until proved otherwise.

I have just had exactly this. If I hadn’t read the NHS guidance I probably would have dismissed it as a rogue period. My GP referred me for an urgent ultrasound which showed a thickened endometrial lining. Yesterday I had a hysteroscopy and biopsy. Everything
looked fine. Consultant said most likely caused by my HRT and advised me to increase my progesterone. Results of biopsy should take about 2 weeks but very hopeful won’t show anything untoward.

The whole process has been very smooth. Hysteroscopy was exactly 2 weeks from first appointment with GP. Please get checked out OP. Are you on HRT ?

Thanks for sharing. I have an appt with GP next week (first available date 🙄).
No, I'm not on HRT. I sailed through the change, didn't even get hot flushes. My periods simply dwindled, so I declared myself menopausal after a year of not having them. Did not even ask GP 😂😂

Can you get an earlier appointment with the GP by ringing at 8am? Hopefully it's nothing sinister, but better to be seen earlier if it is.

Same as PP. I've had this - period 18 months after menopause. I was sure it was a period, but I read the NHS website that you have to get it checked out. My GP agreed it probably was a period, but she still referred me for transvaginal scan - which was completely normal.

This exact thing happened to me. I was referred on a fast track. Had all the tests and everything was normal. They had no idea why my body just decided to have a period Not had anything since. This was about 3 years ago.

Both myself and a couple of my friends have had this. All referred on to have scans etc, all fine. Two of us were all told that up until 55 your ovaries can actually ‘re start’. Not sure about the validity of this but we were told this by different gynecologists. Definitely get it checked out though!