I'm 52 and had my last period in January 2018, so I thought I was well and truly past the menopause. I went to bed in the early hours of yesterday morning, had my usual wee before bed and was shocked to see bright red blood on the toilet paper. 

The previous morning I had woken with a painful shoulder (which I thought was because of the way I was laying) and the pain travelled down to my lower back and I got abdominal cramps.

Anyway, I tried to sleep but called my doctor straight away when I woke up yesterday morning. She said that she was going to refer me for an urgent hospital appointment. She thought I might need a blood test in advance of this but said she would call me back. She sent me a text late yesterday afternoon (she had tried to call me twice, but both times I was driving) to say that I did need a blood test and that she'd sent the form electronically to the hospital. I just needed to call the hospital and make a blood test appointment. The phlebotomy clinic had closed for the day by then, so I called this morning. A recorded message said that they were only doing urgent blood tests at the moment because of covid and that I needed to leave my name and number and someone would call me back within 24 hours.

So, that's the stage I'm at now; waiting for the blood test phone call. I'm worried that I'm not going to hear from them today and will have to wait anxiously over the weekend.

I've read this thread and was surprised to see how many women have had a period and are ovulating again after a couple of years of no periods. My symptoms are exactly the same as when I had periods. I've had the headache, breast swelling and tenderness, lower back pain and abdominal cramps, and bright red bleeding.

I had hoped that I was through the menopause, but I really hope to goodness that this is just my periods deciding to start again after a break of over 2 1/2 years rather than something more serious.

I'm so sorry for waffling. I'm terrified! 

Hi. This sounds like me in July. Bleeding after nearly three years, and just like a period - all the usual symptoms. My lining is okay, and there's no explanation for what seems to be a period. If a bleed happens again, they'll do a biosy. This month, I've had lots of cramping, but no bleeds. It's like the clock has been wound back and I'm where I was three years ago with the last of my periods. 

Annoyingly, I thought I was over the worst of the menopause, and now I'm back to square one.

I didn't have a blood test, so don't know what that means.

Hope everything turns out okay, hard not to be afraid, but the consultant discharged me because although I have small fibroids, there was no reason to suspect anything sinister. As I'm finding out, late periods do happen, but doctors don't seem to want to use that as a reason. 

Good luck.

Raej

Hi. Looking for advice/reassurance please.

I’m 61, not had a period for probably in excess of 12 yrs & have just noticed a light pink bleed/discharge. Should I be worried?

Had a TCRE 20 yrs ago due to fibroids. No bleeding then for 5yrs or so but then intermittent heavy bleeding. After a failed and painful hysteroscopy had a D and C; no bleeding since until yesterday (extremely light) and then this evening. Is this enough for me to be contacting my GP?

Thank you.

Hi

I haven't heard of needing blood tests. Try not to worry - easier said than done I know!  I had heavy bleeding for just over a week late July. 12th August I had ultrasounds and saw a consultant. Tried to take a sample but said he didnt think there was enough to test.He said I needed hysteroctopy but computer system was down so he couldn't book my appointment. Received a letter with appointment for 24th September. The waiting to know if it's anything is the worst - I don't know whether it's just the usual waiting time or if its a good sign and means the consultant thinks it's low risk. I haven't had any feedback on the scans or sample. Trying not to think about it too much but it's hard. Not had any further bleeding. 

Glad to have found this forum to share our experiences. 

Hi 

From what ive read, I think that any bleeding post menopause needs to be checked so I would definitely contact your doctor.

Best wishes

Thanks for your reply. I really hope it's just a blip and that my body has decided to have a period again. I won't be impressed if I've got to start the whole menopause process again, but would rather that than anything worse. 

I wonder why doctors don't want to acknowledge late periods as a possibility? Perhaps they think that women won't take it seriously enough to contact their doctor and will just assume that any bleeding after menopause is just a late period. Obviously something more could be missed if that's the case. In all the articles I've read (while busily googling this and scaring myself silly), I've not seen late periods as an explanation at all. 

Thanks for your reply. 

It is easier said than done not to worry, but I'm trying to keep positive. It must be a worry to have to wait until 24th September, but hopefully they think you're low risk. Do let me know how you get on. 

I didn't get a call back from the hospital so I'll have to wait until Monday now to get a blood test appointment. I did receive a letter from my doctor to say that I'd been referred to the hospital for further investigation.

I also did some searching around for articles about late periods and was surprised to find little mention. I do think doctors don't want women ignoring these bleeds because although the risk of cancer is small, bleeding is a reliable early warning sign and the cancer is caught early with good outcomes. The consultant told me the likelihood was very low and I came away reassured that if it happens again, I would seen quickly and undergo more procedures. In other words, don't ignore it, but don't worry. I've a history of fibroids, plenty of scar tissue from operations, so I think this is complicating my menopause. I also can't take HRT.

Try not to scare yourself. My GP thought I had a late period, but couldn't confirm it.

Hi there, personally, I would contact your gp.  Im 58, no periods for at least 5 years and then in July, spotting began.  Had a biopsy done, slightly thick lining, so put on provera, a progesterone tablet.  After 4 weeks continual bleeding, it stopped and Im now hopefully ok til the next biopsy in January.  Never ignore bleeding.  Its probably nothing but its always best to get it checked out.  Let us know how you get on.  Its a bit of a mind bender especially as I thought Id done with the menopause having sailed through it.