Question: Hi my name is XXXXXXX I am 53 years old and have been post menopausal for 4 years. Over the past month I have had some strange occurances happen and it all came to a head this week when I began bleeding on Monday. It was very light pink but no matter scared me. I went to my GYN on Tuesday where he did an endo biopsy. He said the results would take about a week maybe a little less. I have not heard yet so of course it being friday evening I know I have to wait atleast another two days before I start to wonder if he is going to call me. What I wanted to say was that about three weeks prior to my bleeding again I was diagnosed with a UTI infection. urine tests showed wbc and so I went on an antibiotic. My symptoms of the infection were frequent urination and bloating in my stomach. I also felt awful. After a few days on antibiotic I noticed a clear almost raw egg white type of vaginal discharge. I had not seen that since I was still getting my periods years before. Then I started to have sore breasts again jsut like when I would ovulate and then this continued with terrible emotional outburst another PMS symptom from my past. All of those symptoms disappeared once I began to bleed this week. My doctor said that there is no reason for my periods to have stopped for four years other then menopause however I was never tested for hormone leves to confirm it was menopause. I suppose my questions are: 1) could something other than menopause put a temporary stop to my period 2) Why would I have PMS symptoms if it was just bleeding 3) why would all of my menopause symptoms such as dry skin, vaginal dryness, low libido, hot flashes, night sweats all go away over the past couple of weeks? I am perplexed and hoping things turn out ok. I wanted to also add that I have not stopped bleeding. It went from light pink on Monday which is only on the toilet paper to a brighter red since. Over the past couple days it has begun to lighten up. I have not bled excessively and not enough to even change a pad during the day. It is merely spotting on the pad and bleeding mostly when I wipe after urinating. Sometimes there is some blood in the toilet bowel.

Dr. BAill, I want to tell you how reassuring your words are. My doctor did call for blood work, it was for four different things each after I looked them up all had to do with hormones. One absolutely was thyroid also. So what you are saying is that even after four years of no periods I could still have this happen. I am so relieved and I understand that there is still that awful chance that something bad can happen but it makes me feel so much better hearing your words that I can breath again. Quite honestly after experiencing the throws of menopause and now getting rid of all of the menopause symptoms I will take a monthly flow for a little while just to feel and look young again. I had no idea how great it was to not be in menopause. Well thank you so much. I wish I could tell you later how the biopsy results come out but I want you to know how much I appreciate the time you took to answser me. Best regards, XXXX

Dr. Baill, Thank you again for your response. I am not a nurse. I apologize if I made you think I was. I am just a women, mom, patient that worries...alot! Thank you for your take on HRT. I have heard that it does work wonders. You are right about the side effects that are overplayed in the media and yes they are what have frightened me. However you are right after this I will be discussing with my doctor. Thanks again. XXXX