Hi Paula1966
How long did you stop the HRT for?
I presume you are taking the HRT cyclically so you will bleed anyway which is not a natural period, though 55 is not that late. According to stats on this site ( I think!) 80 % of women have reached menopause by age 54 - but no idea whether that is in the west etc, asnd those who start HRT of course don't know when they reach menopause....
As you are restarting you could try an oestrogen patch? Plenty to choose from.
Hope you're now sorted.
Hurdity x