Period after 9 months without any

[Hecatoncheires]

I hadn’t had a period for 9 months but have suddenly started one. Is this usual? I’m 55 and have recently retired so I’m wondering if it’s a reaction to the change in routine, or possibly alleviation of stress - I was really not enjoying my job for a long time so it’s a big relief not to have to be there any more. I’d be grateful for any advice. Many thanks.

You aren’t in menopause until you pass 12 months without a period. It’s common for there to be long gaps towards the end. I am frequently having 6-9 month gaps between cycles so not done yet. But yes all sorts of stresses and life changes can have an impact.

I find I have a few closer together and then a huge gap, then a few closer together again.

If you go more than a year and then start bleeding you are meant to see GP as it can be a sign of other things.

Thanks, that’s useful to know - I appreciate your response.

I had increasingly large gaps- 6 months (then several exactly on time), then 9 months (and a couple on time after, the first one of those was hideous though), then 13 months (and then 3 light periods exactly on time), currently about 15 months so think I am done. I’m 51. So sounds normal to me. my mum was similar.

Though I know advice is to seek medical view if you have a period after 12 months of none.

Coincidentally my last two longer times of no periods ended when I had Covid, both times, I reckoned Covid un-menopaused me.

@TimetoGetUpNow Wow, that’s a long haul! I went from regular very heavy periods to about 5 weeks between then 2-3 weeks between then nothing for these past 9 months. Just want them done with!

I’m only 47 so I am hoping I’ll be done by 50 as my mum was. Fingers crossed!

I’m younger than you though, so yours might not take so long to stop. Plus everyone different of course. I can understand your frustration at age 55 though!

that was normal for me,

Yeah I had the 11 month period for about 3 years running 🙇🏻‍♀️

after a year of none though, if you get any bleeding it's very important to get it looked into.

Yes I had a one last period six months after I thought I’d stopped. It was my 56th birthday and I was not impressed!

Yeah my sister had a couple of years of really long stretches , basically 2/3 periods in total and then nothing.

I had a few where I bled for a few weeks, then nothing for the last three months. I hope they're finished as I'm 53, but I'm not holding my breath.

Thank you for your replies, it’s useful to hear everyone’s stories. Sounds like I just need to sit tight and keep waiting things out. It doesn’t feel exactly like how my periods used to, there’s no cramping. So at least that’s something!

I'm in a similar position haven't had a period for 7mths, this month it came back with a bang, got a light bleed to start with had a break for a week, it then came back heavier and lasted 9 days, it disappeared again until it reappeared again at the weekend for two days it was heavy enough and clotty, I also have a very tender left breast, I'm 49 and on patches and utrogeston for 21 days per month. Will have to keep an eye and see what happens in the next month.