Period this week after nearly 7 months in perimenopause - Menopause Message Board

Dazey99 · 08-23-2007, 06:53 AM

Hi.
I wonder if you can help.I am 49 and thought I was in true menopause for months now since my last period had been the end of January (My Mom finished hers the same age as me.)
Last month I had my regular gynecologist visit which went well. The Dr.reassured me all was fine and we discussed my symptoms which were very mild--just some slight vaginal dryness and very mild and occasional night sweats.
(She said to me you must have a good supply of estrogen-and even asked me "no bleeding at all?" I said no)
The only thing I told her I was doing was drinking chocolate soy milk and some salted soy nuts to help.(I happen to think the choc.soy milk is delicious!)
anyway I went home and guess I felt better and reassured from the visit and it's possible I drank a little more of the soy than usual this past month.
Suddenly I noticed my mild night sweats had all disappeared and I was thinking hey this is not too bad after all this stuff must be working on me!
Well the past few days I see what it is-my period is back!
(Sooo surprised me) it is a regular period like I'd had prior to January ...
anyway I thought I"d mention it to the nurse at the Drs office to see if maybe they think I should cut down on the soy or what.
The nurse sounded concerned and that the Dr should really be told of this-she'll call you.
It's nearly 7 months and all was fine at my checkup a month ago and now I am even sorry I told the drs office as they make you nervous!
Anyway has anyone had this happen to them before?
I was told you have to go ONE full year before you're considered menopausal correct?
Thankyou (and maybe I should cut down on the soy but wow it did help)

marla20 · 08-23-2007, 07:44 AM

I am not a dr. but i don't think the soy started up your period. if you read on the boards there are so many woman that have gone 7,8,9,10, months without a period and them much to their surprise a period. This is all part of the change. Was the period a regular period??? Whatever regular means these days. You know what I mean though. No pain, bleeding, and then stopped maybe with some spotting??? For the dr. to say they were concerned does makes us crazy. THis is normal. If the bleeding was bright red, no stopping on and on with pain for weeks at a time you might want to be concerned. THis is part of peri. marla

Dazey99 · 08-23-2007, 07:54 AM

THANKYOU Marla.
It was (and is)a regular period.Atleast the same as I'd been having prior in peri. (no pain or anything)Like I said I was upset at the way the nurse acted oh she really has to be told about this? When just last month all was fine-she examined me-I had a pap test,etc.
So whatever the dr says when she calls me today I'm NOT going for any ultrasound or whatever.
By the way last month she gave me estrace cream (sample)in case I wanted to try it for the little vaginal dryness I told her about (when she examined me she said it did not seem that dry)
I have not tried anything of the sample-just reading the insert of it was enough to scare me off!!

twanger · 08-23-2007, 09:42 AM

I had one period after not having one for 12 months. It was like a normal period for me and I haven't had one in 4 years now. This happens and is part of peri.

There are many women on these boards that have gone through this. You are not considered menopausal until you have not had 12 months period free. I think that it is probably longer than that. In Eastern medicine, 17 months is considered the cut off point.

Mistyeyze · 08-23-2007, 10:16 AM

The exact same thing just happened to me. The only difference is I hadn't had a recent exam, as I wasn't due yet for my annual.
I didn't get a period for about seven months and then I got one. I called my gyn office and they had me come in for blood work and an unltra sound.

Turns out my blood work shows that I am in menopause (FSH 42).... so with that and the results of my ultrasound, I now have to go in for an endometrial biopsy. They didn't sound overly concerned but want to rule out any kind of hyperplasia of the uterine lining which can cause bleeding.

I think it is a good idea to get checked out. Any post-menopausal bleeding should get checked out, imo. The key is to know if you are in menopause. A blood test is more reliable than the 12 month "rule", imo.