Menstruation again after menopausal period?

Question

My mother has just started bleeding after not having had a period for nearly 5 years. She had irregular bleeding (peri menopause) for two or three years then had her last period in December 2003. She is 57 years old. Yesterday, she started having what looks like an ordinary period. It is not spotting, its quite heavy, the way her periods were before menopause. She also says she had pre-menstrual symptoms like swollen b*****s and bloating for a few days before the bleed started.

She thinks it is normal and says it is because she has been taking evening primrose capsules lately.

I don't think its normal at all and I'm quite worried. She has never had fibroids, but both her older sisters have them, and she hasn't really had a proper gynaecological (sp?) exam in years; not since her periods stopped. I think she should go to the doctor but she's hearing none of it.

Have any of you had a similar experience? Should I be worried? Any advice appreciated, I'm really worried!

Answer 1

if it lasts the same length of time as a normal period, and if she has the same symptoms, then it probably is just that. if it happens again next month, thats when you should see a doctor. for now, im sure she is fine.

Answer 2

she needs to go to the Doctor it is not normal to have a period after menopause. She made need a D&C done

Answer 3

Yes, she needs to see a doctor. It could be something serious. If she's on hormone replacement therapy, that could be causing it. If not, I'm sorry to alarm you, but there is the possibility of uterine cancer.

This is something she shouldn't ignore.

Answer 4

S H I T....call 911 NOW

Answer 5

well my mums friend hadnt a period for 3 years then had a baby!!!! so yes its more than likly a period if ur mum wont go doc why dont u go and ask iam sure the doc will understand

Answer 6

I think you are right to be concerned. I am not a user or enthusiast about herbal products, but I don't think that evening primrose should do this. Women do take evening primrose to help control uncomfortable menstrual symptoms, but it should not cause a menstrual period. It's supposed to lessen symptoms like breast tenderness.

There are several possibilities here, it seems to me.

(1) something is wrong with your mother and the evening primrose has nothing to do with it. Getting periods 5 years after your last one is definitely very abnormal and she should  see a doctor pronto.

(2) there is something wrong with the evening primrose that she is taking - many times the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has found that products sold as herbal products actually have small amounts of real drugs or hormones in them. For example some herbal products for "men's health" had been found to have small amounts of viagra in them. (If they work, that might really be the reason). Unlike pharmaceuticals, the FDA can't by law regulate herbals and the like unless the seller is claiming to treat some disease or condition, so there is no guarantee that what the seller says is in the product actually is.

Possibly there is some estrogen-like material in the evening primrose your mother is taking. That might cause these symptoms. Taking estrogen after menopause, especially if you have a uterus, is risky.

In any event if I were her, I would not wait to see what happens. She should go to a gynecologist promptly for an exam. She could have fibroids, an endometrial (lining of the uterus) cancer or some other serious abnormality.

Even without symptoms postmenopausal women should see their gynecologist regularly at whatever schedule the gynecologist feels is appropriate. Hope you can convince her. Good luck.  

Answer 7

Peri-menopause precedes menopause; with no period for 3 or more years, your mom definitely has reached menopause.  The herbal supplement probably did NOT have any effect that would cause her to begin periods again.

In any event, she or you absolutely should call and speak with her doctor.  While her doctor may not be permitted by law to give you any information about her condition, there's nothing to prohibit you from giving him information about what is going on with her and asking that he call her.  There are too many other things that could be going on with your mom, and a very belated period is not one of them.  If anything, err on the side of caution, particularly given her family history.

Answer 8

she should consult with her doctor but peri-menopause can last 10 - 12 years. my mom is going through that and she consulted her doctor and that's what she told her. i wouldn't worry because the process is so long, and think about it, if you didn't have a period for a few years and then you had one, it would be heavy! have her consult a doctor for reassurance.  

Answer 9

You know what to do. Take her to the doctor as soon as possible. Check the link out.

Answer 10

please convince her to go. cervical or any female cancer can kill so easily. i know this is separate probably, but she needs to go badly anyway.

Answer 11

really dnt knw , go for doctor