I had a very similar thing happen. I am 53 years old and last year, (2008), I had gone through an entire year with nothing. Thinking it was over and I was in menopause (that standard 1 year thing), I awoke to a full fledged period! It was pretty heavy at that and went on for about 10 days. Of course, totally panicked, I called my family doc and she asked about hot flushes. Oddly enough, I had been plagued by them for years and I suddenly realized that I hadn't had any (or very few) for at least a month!
She told me to wait the period out, warned me that it would likely be heavy and long (which it was) but, not to panic, it's very common for women to go a full year then, the ovaries kick back in again for a bit and another period hits or, one can go back into cycling again for awhile. (I had 3 more periods last year...Feb., July and Dec.).
She did, however, do an ultrasound to check the thickness of my uterine lining and said that it was a little thickened but, she wasn't overly concerned as I may have more periods (which I did). I have had no "periods" since December of 2008 but, in April, I went through (and still am going through) a tremendous amount of stress as you are doing. I've had on and off light spotting since the beginning of April of this year. Another ultrasound revealed a thickened uterine lining and I'm waiting to have a biopsy done just to be on the safe side.
To put your mind at ease, the gynecologist (just saw her this week), said that she "sees this all of the time". Lots of women go a full year or more and start back into periods or spotting again and it doesn't mean anything horrible but, of course, it has to be checked out. Better to be safe than sorry. :)
If I were you, I'd call your doc's office after this period is finished, make an appointment and just discuss this with him/her and see what they want to do. They may want to do an ultrasound first to make sure that your endometrial lining is not thickened and, if it is, they will likely do an endometrial biopsy to just be safe. If it isn't, they'll likely tell you to just "wait and see" what happens next.
Again, this is NOT unheard of by any means. The gynecologist and my family doc both told me that they're more concerned about someone who hasn't had anything for 2 years and has a thickened uterine lining than someone just within the year range. Those rules aren't always cut and dried and I've since, heard of plenty of women who have this happen even at 1 1/2 years and not have any problems or anything to be concerned about.
Just get yourself checked out after this is over. :) Hang in there. It's a worry when this happens but, it's NOT "unusual"! :)
I am a health 45 year old woman with early signs of pre menopause. For the past 2 months I have experienced inregular period and at times very heavy bleeding, weakness and anxiety symptoms. My every day activity is becoming difficult because I don;t feel like myself anymore. If there is any advise please reply back.
Liz, I feel for you because so many of us are going through these same types of things as we go through hormonal changes during the perimenopausal stages. Know that you're not alone in these things. Many of us are experiencing the same things.
The one thing that I'd suggest is to see your doc about this and get him/her to check out your blood levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, FSH, LH and see where everything sits in the grand scheme of things. Many women find that they are estrogen dominant and need a little progesterone to help even things off a bit more. But, only your doc can tell you that for sure.
Other women find that using vitamin supplements such as B,C,D,E, Omega3, Zinc, getting regular exercise, sleeping as well as possible, having a support system, lowering stress levels etc., all work to some extent or another. Others add in accupuncture, chiropractic care, massages etc to lower stress levels because stress hormones can wreak havoc on the other hormones as well by exhausting the adrenal glands.
Others have found healthfood preparations for Menopause wonderful or natural products like St. John's Wort, Chasteberry (Vitex), **** Quai, (do some searches on these supplements) in combo with the above measures.
Others need hormonal replacement/supplementation but, that should be assessed by a doctor and blood levels taken before embarking on trying to self-treat.
The one thing that we do know is that eventually, all of this does change around and we do go on being humanbeings again! :)
Try paying a visit to your doc and talk this over with him/her. There are also naturopathic doctors that can help with natural remedies as well. Both in conjunction work well.
Hopefully, others will post some suggestions or offer their stories as well. We know what you are feeling and sending you our understanding! :)
I just got a full blown knock down period 2 years almost to the day of my last period. I am so glad to see it has happened to so many women. I am 54 and never had children. I wo der if that has anything to do with it. I have had a horrible menopause. 24/7 hot flashes night sweata. Absolutely no sexual desire which is unheard of for me. Now this.