Bleeding at 56 with Mirena after menopause, should I be worried?

[ABitFreakedOutNow]

I am 56. I’ve had a Mirena coil for 7 years. I had a chat with my GP a few months ago, and they said I can leave it in and check in next year about it. I initially had a few light periods, then nothing.

When I spoke to her a few months ago she said I’d be well over the menopause now.

However, yesterday I noticed a dark brown discharge like old blood, and my ovaries are going ballistic (both fluttering) and today I’ve got a very light red period.

I’m absolutely freaking out now after googling bleeding post menopause. I’m at work today really stressed out, and work is mega stressful today and making it worse!!!!

I'm the same age. Had my mirena out in January, then 6 weeks later had what I can only describe as a light mini period.

Went to Docs, urgent two week referral. Bloods, internal and external ultrasound, referral to gynaecology and biopsy. All clear, and told I hadn't fully gone through the menopause. Are you certain you have?

No, I don’t know. I got the Mirena coil as periods were really heavy (flooding) and I was in peri meno hell. I’ve had gyno issues in the past as I have polycystic ovaries.

Had very light periods with the Mirena, then it seemed to dry up. Nothing for ages. I did once in a blue moon get a little bit of gloop.

This feels like a period, brown then red. I did get some symptoms this month like I was ovulating (like a lot of gel). Now my ovaries feel like they are going a bit nuts and my tummy is a bit swollen like it used to be on a period.

I’m a bit scared!!!!

My bleed was similar to how you describe yours.
I was very worried, but knew I had to get it checked out as symptoms weren't going to go away, and my mind was in overdrive. It was an unsettling time, and I was avoiding making plans expecting the worse, but it was ok.
Sending hugs, and make that call to the GP tomorrow x

I will do, thanks for responding X

OP I could have written this post, I am experiencing exactly the same as you and am the same age. I have been experiencing dark brown spotting monthly for a couple months now, I am thinking I’m not over the menopause yet? Maybe I need to get checked out too

Good luck and happy to chat x

Do you have a coil Gin?

Yes I do,a mirena, had it for a few years now. I thought I was through the menopause until a few months ago when the spotting started and I got chocolate cravings like pmt, might just be our bodies trying a last push to be fertile? Hope all goes ok for you.

Yes, I’ve had chocolate cravings and mad mood swings like I used to when I had periods.

I will make an appointment tomorrow.

I’ve just ignored the menopause because it was awful, then the coil fixed everything. I thought I was lucky. I haven’t a clue where I’m at with it apart from more chin hairs, no periods and a coil.

Go for a check up, just because others have been fine doesn’t mean yours doesn’t need investigating.

I'm 55 with a Mirena (think I've had it 2 years) and I'm still getting bleeds... I can go 6/7 months without anything, then I'll get 3 or 4 periods clumped together. It's driving me mad, I'm 56 in a couple of months. How can I still be ovulating?!

@ABitFreakedOutNow You probably don't need a Mirena coil at 56 anyway as the average age of menopause is 51 but can be as late as 56 -ish.

You wouldn't need it for contraception after 54 (guidance is 12 months with no periods over age 50 but there is also other guidance that 54 can be used as a cut-off as conception is very unlikely.)

Your GP should send you for a scan to check everything is okay.
It's likely to be a late period and your Mirena is old- 7 years - coming up to its use by date ( 8 years is the max, or 4-5 years when used as part of HRT.)

I had very similar to what you are describing and had a giant fibroid that had very rudely pushed my Mirena almost out and well away from the area it needs to be to work efficiently, the gynae said I wasn't getting the progesterone required anymore. As with all similar symptoms I was on the two week pathway and had ultrasound and a biopsy which all came back negative. I am very lucky to have insurance so I then elected to have a hysterectomy to be done with the whole affair and have been very happy with the result.

Update,

Thank you so so so much for supporting me when I originally asked this question.

Today I had a couple of ultrasounds, and then a polyp removed. Aside from this the lining was thin, Mirena was in place and everything looked as it should be. The Doctor removed the polyp and will send it off, but doesn’t think it’s anything nasty.

Once again, the fantastic women on this website, guided me through an issue. Thanks so much, I really mean it. X

Fantastic news! So pleased it was nothing sinister

I’ve been on MN for at least 20 years, and honestly, you’ve helped me through so many things; fertility issues, pregnancy dramas, marriage issues and now the menopause.

I don’t have any female relatives, and this is where I come for advice from women.

Thx so much. Honestly, I’m so grateful to you all.