Norethisterone effects

Hi just a brief background, I didn't know I had endometriosis until 2005, by then unbelievably I had already had 7 daughters! Anyway, after an op to remove 2 large ovarian cysts my GP advised use of norethisterone. I have been on that everyday since then. After a lot of weight gain and a very bloated stomach my GP now suggests i come off the tablets to see if I have reached the menopause. So, my question is, if I start bleeding, is that a period or just a bleed from coming off the tablets? If i am still having periods, I will obviously go back on the tablets to stop the endometriosis from building up again and pain etc etc. How long should i wait before i start the tablets again....until i have a cyclic period?