Hi SueEC
I don't know whether doctors (gynaes) start the recount again following a post-menopausal bleed which turns out on investigation to be due to late ovulation. Strictly speaking they should, otherwise eg if you then had another bleed after a further 6 months this should be investigated ( if they still counted the first menopause date as the real one) when in fact, if investigation following the first bleed showed that all was OK, another 12 months should really elapse before actual menopause??
If it was another ovulation then this shows your hormone cycle was sufficiently strong and therefore yes you will experience the hormonal decline again (or maybe even obviods cycling?). On average oestrogen levels drop to an all-time low approx two years following menopause but there can be some mild cycling until and beyond then as the ovaries bubble away producing a bit of oestrogen and follicles may start to develop.
Yes symptoms can come and go for years - or rather once you are definitely post-menopause they can stay for years. On the other hand you might be one of the lucky ones whose symptoms may tail off - let's hope so!
If not - no need to suffer - and perhaps think about HRT? New onset depression and anxiety around the time of menopause is usually has a hormonal cause, if no life events to explain it, and the guidelines say that HRT should be the first line of treatment - if you decide you want treatment that is!
Hurdity x
