4 years post menopause, menstruation started again, any ideas why?

[Espeegee]

I’m asking for someone not on this forum. She is 52, went through menopause 4 years ago relatively easily. Now out of the blue it seems menstruation has started again, the full Monty, sore bosoms, cramps and bleeding. The bleeding she says is worse than even post natal, very heavy and she’s left feeling very fatigued. She’s just had period number three. She tried to make a GP appointment but only got a phone call, he didn’t know which of his patients she was so she got a bit snappy, he said well they’d been very busy, said he’d call her back and put the phone down and of course hasn’t. She never took any HRT, has anyone else experienced this, will it just continue until it stops again? I’d appreciate any help as she has other problems which make interfacing with medical staff really tricky.

[Early-Dark1]

As far as I know if you haven't had a period for over a year and start bleeding again this should be looked into. So I would ask your friend to go back to gp or ask for another gp.

[Espeegee in reply to Early-Dark1]

I know that’s the norm and I’ve done it myself but she struggles with Doctors and having to see them about anything is very difficult for her, it took her ages to do it this time which is why it was so unfortunate that he asked her was she the pharmacist, no, was she XX, no, oh well who are you then? Doesn’t inspire confidence does it.

[Tina_Maria]

Hi, this sounds not too good and without getting your friend anxious, she needs to be seen. Either change the GP or as a last resort go to A&E and get it checked out. It could be an infection or it could be other causes. Here is a link you could have a look at for possible causes:

nhs.uk/conditions/post-meno...

Your friend needs to persist, as it should be seen to. Good luck.

[Espeegee in reply to Tina_Maria]

Thanks for that. I don't think her condition is related to any of those suggestions. It's cyclical, behaving just like a menstrual cycle so hormonal but unusual to occur 4 years post menopause. She has seen a video which says that if life was stressful you might go into menopause early and that when your life settles down you can start menstruating again and will do so until your natural menopause is reached again. I've no idea if that is true or not. She's definitely not thrilled about the idea!

[Tina_Maria in reply to Espeegee]

Stress levels could influence the onset of menopause. It could also be due to fluctuating oestrogen levels, which would explain that her uterus lining gets build up and then sheds again.

In any case, it is definitely something out of the ordinary and I would really try to get to the bottom of it.