Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. The onset of menopause is diagnosed when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period.
The transition into menopause, known as perimenopause, is a gradual process that can take several years. During this time, women may experience irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and other symptoms as the body's production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone declines.
Once a woman reaches menopause, the changes are permanent - her ovaries will no longer release eggs and she can no longer get pregnant naturally. However, in some rare cases, menopause can temporarily stop or "go away" for a period of time:
- Some women may continue to have occasional periods for several years after menopause. These are not true periods, but rather breakthrough bleeding episodes caused by hormonal fluctuations.
- In approximately 3% of women, the ovaries may "reawaken" years after menopause causing the return of menstrual cycles. This is known as menopause reversal. In very rare cases, pregnancy has occurred for women in their 50s and 60s after menopause reversal. The causes are not fully understood.
What triggers menopause reversal?
- Hormonal imbalances
- Ovarian cysts
- Thyroid issues
- Medications
- Stress
- Weight loss
Signs of menopause reversal:
- Return of monthly periods after having no period for 12 months
- Pregnancy symptoms
- Return of premenopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, etc.
If you are experiencing
return of periods, pregnancy symptoms, PMS, or peri/menopause symptoms after menopause, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. They can help determine what is causing these symptoms through exams, blood tests, ultrasounds, etc.
Treatment will depend on the underlying cause but may include:
- Hormone therapy - Estrogen/progestogen therapy may help relieve symptoms
- Birth control - To protect against pregnancy if menstruation has returned
- Thyroid medication - If thyroid dysfunction is causing hormone changes
- Surgery - Such as endometrial ablation to stop breakthrough bleeding
The healthcare providers at
Revive Hormone Institute specialize in perimenopause, menopause reversal, and
postmenopause care.
We provide individualized care including bioidentical hormone therapy, nutritional counseling, and lifestyle changes to help women transition gracefully through menopause. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
In summary:
Yes, menopause can temporarily go away or reverse in rare cases. This is known as menopause reversal or
premature ovarian failure reversal. Some reasons this can happen include hormonal imbalances, ovarian cysts, thyroid issues, etc. Signs to watch for are the return of periods, pregnancy symptoms, hot flashes and other peri/menopause symptoms after already reaching menopause. Treatments are available to help manage symptoms.
Talk to your doctor or visit Revive Hormone Institute to develop a treatment plan if you experience these symptoms after menopause.