Thought I was in menopause but just got my period 2 days short of 12 months :(

[carriewriting]

The title says it all. Just when I thought I was finally post menopause, it's back :(

I'm 53 (54 in February) and not on HRT but I knew something was up as I've had PMS symptoms the past week.

I might be a little calmer about it, but I'm going on vacation to Europe in 2 weeks for a month.

And I'm worried I might need tests and there won't be enough time to get them as well as worrying they might find something that means I can't go.

it's not a heavy period but seems like any bleeding after 12 months needs to be investigated.

Posting here as accountability to put my therapy back into practice and get on top of these catastrophising thoughts.

[Pkstracy]

nope you have to go a full 12 months and some doctors even say 13 months you have to start the count again, I am so sorry.

[carriewriting]

I saw a GP today and got a referral. Pelvic scan is on Monday. That will be 8 days before I fly out for a month in Europe. I guess I just have to live with the fact that it might find something and I'll have to wait until I get back to see a gyno, but at least I can get the appointment booked before I leave.

Of course it could also show nothing is wrong. I'm working on pushing past my fear to believe that. I just find optimism so hard as preparing for the worst is a form of control for me. I'm going to try preparing for the best case scenario and see what happens.

I'm on day 3 of this (hopefully just a) period. So far it seems like a period and it's not very heavy so fingers crossed it's just a random late perimenopause period.

The GP says she'll be surprised if it's anything serious.

[Catkins]

Yes totally can happen in the menopause.

[carriewriting]

I went to see my regular GP today as I wanted to talk about whether to get a scan before or after I go on vacation.

Because I'll be away for a month and when I come back it'll be mid December she said I should go to the scan I'd booked for today.

It was a bit disconcerting that she was so insistent I get the scan.

Anyway, I did go and I didn't feel the sonographer focussed on anything in particular but I don't let myself look at the screen so she may have.

It was a tiny office with no specialist on site so there wasn't the reassurance of not having them called in to look at anything.

My GP will have the results tomorrow.

[carriewriting]

GP just rang to say endometrium is thickened and measuring 9mm. I'm not on HRT and have a risk factor (obesity) so I'm doing some deep breathing to ward off a panic attack. She says I can still go on my trip but I just want to cancel and get the biopsy. Have an appointment with her tomorrow to discuss next steps.

[carriewriting]

I'm also going to reach out to my old therapist to see if I can get some Telehealth appointments if I do go on my trip. I keep getting waves of panic that feel overwhelming.

[jojo2316]

I totally get you won’t want this hanging over you when you go on your trip…. but it is most likely benign. The biopsy is quite a simple procedure done in the doctor’s office…. (ive had one)… maybe it can happen fairly quickly?

[jojo2316]

And endometrial hyperplasia is common and treatable

[jojo2316]

Actually- sorry i googled- endometrial linings less than 11mm (post menopause) usually do not need a biopsy because the risk is so low