Period again after none for 2 years?

Hi Claudia. I didn't get any spotting as such after sex but can't remember how long I left it after the colposcopy. I was one of the unlucky ones and the colposcopy was very painful for me and I had bleeding and later a discoloured discharge for at least 9 days after so it unlikely I had sex in that time frame. Could it be old stuff being cleared out - would be more of a discharge if so. I also had slight stomach cramps/discomfort for about 3 weeks so don't worry if this happens to you. Another thought is that I think it was exactly 4 weeks after the start of your last bleed. If that was a period could this be another one starting? If the bleed was just a few random spots which stopped could it be localised external irritation? Let me know how you are getting on but if worried please go and have a chat with your doctor.

Hi, I can sympathise with your stress as I went through something similar 8 months ago (see my previous posts). I was 53 and had no periods for 3 years. I then had what seemed to be a period (with usual pre-menstruation symptoms) and was given the all clear following investigations. Please do try not to panic, the average age for menopause is 51 (so you were on the earlier side) and it is officially classified as having no periods for 12 months. Until then doctors will not investigate into any bleeding. I know of someone who went 11 months and then had a bleed so the clock had to be re-started for the 12 month period and I believe that it is not unusual for that to happen. You are only 3 months outside the magic 12 month mark and please take comfort (as I did) from the fact that the bleed stopped. If it came and went like a period it probably was one - they describe them as 'rogue' periods. I was convinced mine was a period and investigations did not prove otherwise. I had an accute period of stress and I believe (and have read) that this can cause fluctuations in hormones - I believe that was the cause of my 'rogue' period. As mentioned, please try not to stress, remember you are doing the right thing and as much as you can to get things checked out as soon as you can and you can do no more. Any investigations, even without symptoms, are worrying but they are there as a precautionary measure (on the NHS I had two types of scan - an external womb one and trans-vaginal scan and then based on the thickness of the womb lining, a hysteroscopy which will be the pipelle one you mentioned). I am sure all will go well. Please post again to update and give others the re-assurance this forum provides.

Thanks Julie. Biopsy and smear tomorrow. The closer it gets the more anxious i am getting, then the wait for the results. Hard not to get on google and freak myself out even more. This forum is a godsend it really is. I am in New Zealand by the way.

Doctor is doing pipelle which is an endometrial biopsy, she said that will tell her more than an ultra sound will but i am assuming she will book me in for one of those as well.

I went through the same thing and everything turned out fine. These ladies on this board are amazing and helped to ease my mind so much.

They were right too - more often than not, it ends up being nothing serious.

The biopsy is not fun but take 800 mg of ibu and you should be just fine. The day of the biopsy is the most crampy and uncomfortable.

i will be praying for you!

Claudia

not going to sugar coat. The biopsy was hell..lol. Doctor didn't think she would be able to manage it and nearly gave up (Cervix too tight etc). The other option was to be sent off for it to be done under a GA. I told her to just ignore my yelps and please try. (the thought of all this waiting dragging out was unbearable). she finally managed to do it and hopefully got a good enough sample. So now waiting on smear and biopsy results. She did a pelvic exam and said everything felt fine.

2 days I had an ultrasound and a transvaginal ultrasound. i now have no modesty left. The radiologist said everything appeared normal to her and her opinion is, if there is any cancer we have caught it early. She sent the results to my doctor on Friday and I haven't heard anything so I am guessing doctor is waiting for biopsy results.

So feeling a bit better but still scared. I don't want to get my hopes up

Glad to find everything is OK from the tests you have had done. It does sound as though your doctor is just waiting for the smear test results and I always think no news is good news. It is difficult while waiting for results (I should know, I am the worst worrier) but please take comfort from everything appearing normal so far.

Exact same thing happened to me at 52. 11 months no period a little spot then I went another 11 months full blown period 6 days straight . Did the internal and external ultrasound checked the thickness of the walls and it was a fibroid outside. Don't worry, this happens a lot more then we realize. Especially when menapause is starting.

Thought I better post an update to give some reassurance. My smear came back normal. The pipelle I had didn't obtain enough tissue so I was booked in for a operative hysteroscopy at the local hospital. I had this three weeks ago and the surgeon removed a small uterine polyps which he sent away to be tested. Everything else looked normal.

Had results back this week and polyp is benign 😃

Gynecologist/surgeon thinks my hormones were just giving off a final surge.

So relieved. At the beginning of it all, after googling, I had almost booked my funeral. So upshot is menstrual bleeding post menopause isn't always a sign of something sinister but get it checked out!