Women - can we talk about Menopause a minute?

[MrsPete]

I believe you can have bloodwork done to find out if you're pre-menopause or in it. I have a friend who went through menopause while on the pill and didn't realize it.

Yes, you can definitely have a blood test to verify "where you are" in the process. It'll let you know peri-menopause vs. full-blown menopause as well. I needed the test because I don't have a period any longer (because of surgery), and with few symptoms, I didn't know where I stood.

They say you should reach Menopause by 52.

I've never heard that, and I know that I personally was not even in peri-m at 52.

Have you thought about getting an endometrial ablation? That's what I had done after years of heavy, long periods ...

I had an ablation for just that reason -- the super-heavy periods (the term is Menorrhagia) came on so slowly that I hardly realized they were increasing, and it happened just after 40.
The thing that really alerted me to the problem was a Disney trip -- yes, really. I was packing for a trip, and I had a super-heavy period, so I said, "Thank goodness -- no need to pack supplies for next week." Then the next week at Disney I got a super-heavy period again. I was never one to pay attention to dates, but I couldn't help notice this. I was always exhausted at that point, and I realize now it was because I didn't have enough blood. The ablation was wonderful for me; I recovered in less than a week, and my results were A+. It's been about a dozen years, and I've had no issues. In contrast, my friend had very similar issues, and the ablation didn't solve her problems; she went on to have a hysterectomy.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I had my first my one and only child at 36. My last period at 40. I’m 71 now. I’ve never had any symptoms.

 

[Skippy918]

Would having a hormonal IUD mask any perimenopausal symptoms? I’m 43.

I have heard that the older when you start your period, the older you are when menopause begins.

 

[tasha99]

Would having a hormonal IUD mask any perimenopausal symptoms? I’m 43.

I have heard that the older when you start your period, the older you are when menopause begins.

That might be how it usually is, but my mom started at 9, and lost her period at 57. Almost 5 decades of menstruation . . .

 

[chattadisser]

Would having a hormonal IUD mask any perimenopausal symptoms? I’m 43.

I have heard that the older when you start your period, the older you are when menopause begins.

Maybe?? I say that as I had a IUD and when I had it taken out at 40, I was already through menopause, per my blood tests. Now I felt like I had peri-menopause symptoms the whole time but no one would believe me. I started at 11 and my last period was at 36, that was long enough for me. I'm actually glad mine worked out the way it did, I was done having kids and the thought of dealing with that for another 20 years I don't think my mom went through menopause until her late 50's.

 

[sarahann77]

Last year I was noticing more symptoms. I'm currently 44. I had an occasional balance issue and every now/then some vertigo. Cycles were ranging from 22 - 45 days. When longer, I'd get "phantom periods" at what would be the proper time; with bloating, weight gain, etc. I had asked my mom but she started hormone therapy at 35 and off at 50; to then be at menopause. So I think I'm prime to start peri. Discussed with the midwife at the annual exam and she confirmed. My last cycle went to 75 days. Didn't realize there was a blood test to identify which stage.

 

[LovesTimone]

Late 40's. My periods became more irregular, and I was moodier. Interestingly, I had more cold spells than hot flashes.

You might want to have your doctor check your thyroid... I kept telling my old doctor what was going on, and his answer was just menopause... It was like my temperature gauge just quit working, hot, cold, hot cold, hot sweaty, to freezing... no energy, not sleeping, very moody...when my hair started thinning.. was the last straw, my old doctor told me to just deal with it...

I told him to deal with this... and I just got up and left... He was so shocked.... I changed doctors, and now I have a doctor that Listens to what I am saying.... she actually listen's to me... sat down and listen... asked me about my family history, parents, grandparents on both sides, and such, detailed questions...

What I have is basically a lazy or non consistent thyroid... ( my Dad, Mom and brother all have thyroid issues) while my blood work most of the time shows in range, it actually doesn't work properly... So she put me on the lowest does of med's, and at 30 days, 60 days and 90 days did blood work and the blood work stayed within range. My doctor said that it gets missed in a lot in women due to menopause, has it has some of the same symptoms.

I can honestly say how this little pill changed my life...my body is working properly now... it has given me my life back...

 

[PollyannaMom]

When longer, I'd get "phantom periods" at what would be the proper time

That happened to me a few times too.

My doctor said that it get missed in a lot in women due to menopause, has it has some of the same symptoms.

I did stop getting the cold spells once I was through menopause, but I appreciate the tip. Thanks!

 

[jerrywilliams]

That happened to me a few times too.



I did stop getting the cold spells once I was through menopause, but I appreciate the tip. Thanks!

For how long did you experience these "phantom periods"? Do you also take any meds during the menopause or it is ok to survive this time without medications? I heard a lot about premarin cream but a little worry about all the side effects which can appear. What was your experience with it?

 

[Suger Mag]

52.... in the middle of it. I had an IUD for the last 15 years, it was time to get it replaced, but did not so I could go through this joy. without interference. Before the IUD my period was pretty normal and regular. Started around 15/16 years

My perimenopause symptoms:
Temperature regulation. occasional hot flashes' and night sweats... more night than daytime stuff. Getting better with those, Last year my bedroom temp. was like a refrigerator, it was the only relief.

Insomnia: this has been a battle and perhaps the hardest part... so draining and I think it affects the mood swings. For the last two years or so, I am very sensitive to sleeplessness. This is worse if I have anything with caffeine too late (2pm is my cut off now) that includes eating chocolate too late. But also things like light also affects my sleep quality. I use a fan for white noise, keep the room cold with AC.... and I have found a lot of relief with the insomnia with eating some THC/CBD gummies right before bedtime, especially when combined with being careful about what I eat or drink late in the day. Thank you Massachusetts!!

Mood Swings... yeah, I don't even want the truth here, But yup.... I have some real mean periods... times when I just hate the air people breathe.

Periods: Very irregular, about 1 out of every 3 months, Sometimes nothing or almost nothing.... and sometimes it is akin to the horse-head scene from Godfather 1 (TMI sorry) . I do think my daughter (20) affects these.... I think I would end this process quicker without her influence. But my cycle is now often pulled by hers.

Good luck to all my crone sisters. Maiden...Mother...Crone (I refuse to use hag LOL)

 

[Alicefan]

No one really talks about “cold flashes” related to perimenopause. But I get those on occasion as well.

Same here. Usually when I have a cold flash it's my body about to have a hot flash. I'll be freezing and trying everything to find a warm spot to put my feet and then out of nowhere, WOOSH! I am kicking off the covers. It's like there is no real happy medium anymore. It's either you're cold or you're sweating. It's the most miserable feeling on earth.

 

[Alicefan]

So I'm 50 and I started getting hot flashes when I was 45. I was always very regular and unfortunately, my cycle ran about every 18 to 21 days and always lasted about 5 or 6 days. I first noticed my periods not lasting as long or being as heavy. Then I would only get them every OTHER month. Then I went for a full year and all of the sudden I had like a 2 day period. Ever since that one, nothing. That was 2019. For 5 years I have had terrible hot flashes and night sweats. The hot flashes started out pretty bad, but they would ebb and flow. I'd have them full on for 2 weeks and then I'd ease up for a week or so and think, "Maybe I'm done?" Then they'd just start right back up. Nothing at all that I have taken or tried has curbed them in the least. For the past couple of years I have had no relief whatsoever until about a month ago where they all but completely went away about 3 weeks after I stopped smoking. I may have had one or 2 a day as opposed to one an hour. I wasn't constantly turning my ceiling fan on and off all day, it was great. I thought I was done. Well stupid me picked up cigarettes again, not thinking that it had anything to do with it, and about a week later, they were back and just as bad as they ever were. So now I'm trying to make myself quit again to see if nicotine was my culprit. Wish me luck!

 

[Alicefan]

I went through menopause at exactly age 51. My very last period was on my 51st birthday.

For me, I had extremely regular periods, down to the the minute all my life. Right around age 49, I had a year where I skipped maybe two periods. Then the next year, it happened maybe 3 times. Then I had my last period and another one never came again. Ever. It was totally weird and fast. Along with those times where I started skipping periods, the middle of the not hot flashes came. Then they left as I had more periods. Then they came back at age 51 and I had them for 4-5 years. I'd say that I'm mostly done with them but occasionally I will now get a little warm in the middle of the night. I don't feel like a blazing furnace anymore thank goodness. I do have to keep my bedroom much cooler than I used to and I'm never "cold" all the time like a used to be. Otherwise, I haven't had very many other changes. I'd probably have to say that I feel better. I used to have very heavy periods and was always borderline anemic. Couldn't take oral contraceptives so I just lived with it. It's nice that I don't have those awful symptoms anymore.

Your situation sounds like how mine came on. When my periods started becoming erratic, I almost prayed for them to come because my hot flashes would stop when I had it. I tell you, I'd take the period for LIFE over the permanent and constant hot flashes! The period was nothing compared to the annoyance of having to explain to my customers why in the middle of a haircut I turned beet red and looked like I had just come in from running a race in the Sahara. It's embarrassing that people can see it happening.

 

[Alicefan]

I was on the pill for most of my adult life (took continually to suppress periods completely). It kept my endometriosis under control. So I was in no hurry to come off. My doctor let me stay on it until I was 55. Then I stopped, had one period and..... nothing. Stepped right into menopause with minimal fanfare. I get an occasional "warm flash" and sometimes wake up with a cold flash, but that's about it.

Oh shut up!

 

[Alicefan]

That might be how it usually is, but my mom started at 9, and lost her period at 57. Almost 5 decades of menstruation . . .

I don't know, I was 12 or 13 when I got my first period and 45 when menopause started and it's still going at 50. I thought I would probably have it easy for some reason since I never took birth control and never had children. I was wrong....so very very wrong. lol

 

[KayMichigan]

I had my last period in 2018 when I was 55. After that I had a few light periods and then they stopped completely. The only menopause symptom I had was occasional hot flashes. Those have pretty much stopped and that's been it.

 

[Alicefan]

You might want to have your doctor check your thyroid... I kept telling my old doctor what was going on, and his answer was just menopause... It was like my temperature gauge just quit working, hot, cold, hot cold, hot sweaty, to freezing... no energy, not sleeping, very moody...when my hair started thinning.. was the last straw, my old doctor told me to just deal with it...

I told him to deal with this... and I just got up and left... He was so shocked.... I changed doctors, and now I have a doctor that Listens to what I am saying.... she actually listen's to me... sat down and listen... asked me about my family history, parents, grandparents on both sides, and such, detailed questions...

What I have is basically a lazy or non consistent thyroid... ( my Dad, Mom and brother all have thyroid issues) while my blood work most of the time shows in range, it actually doesn't work properly... So she put me on the lowest does of med's, and at 30 days, 60 days and 90 days did blood work and the blood work stayed within range. My doctor said that it gets missed in a lot in women due to menopause, has it has some of the same symptoms.

I can honestly say how this little pill changed my life...my body is working properly now... it has given me my life back...

I completely relate to the broken temperature gage. Without fail, when I go from one extreme to another, like put my coat on inside to go out into the cold, no sooner than I step out the front door, do I have to unzip that coat and hold it open. Doesn't matter if it's snowing outside. It's like my body says, "Oh we need to warm her up a little, it's cold out here", and then I get warm and it just keeps going and doesn't know when enough is enough! I'm standing there thinking, "Okay, that's good...THAT'S GOOD! STOOOP!"

 

[mom2rtk]

Oh shut up!

Trust me. I paid my dues earlier with the endometriosis and resulting infertility. The only reason I stayed on hormones that long was because of the risk of that all returning.

 

[disneychrista]

I turn 50 in 3 weeks. My periods are very irregular. I have been on the progesterone only “mini-pill” for about 9 months and the first period I had lasted a month with days of spotting and days of super heavy, changing a super plus tampon every 2 hours or less. Since then I went 60 days without a period to a period every 2 weeks. Some periods are super light, some normal, some super heavy. My GYN and she doesn’t think it has anything to with the mini-pill. She said it is likely just “peri-menapause.” Other than period changes, including getting cramps now the only other symptoms I have are the occasional hot or cold flash, mostly at night and some boughts of insomnia.

 

[EilonwyWanderer]

I just want to say thanks so much for starting this thread. I had never heard of peri-menopause until it was mentioned on the show Working Moms and I was like damn I am over 40 and educated and WHY is women's health talked about so little even between women!? So I'm very grateful for what's been shared in this thread!

I'm 42 right now and I think I'm probably skirting peri-menopause but it's hard to say. My second baby wrecked my thyroid and my hormones in general--never had acne until I was pregnant with her and it's never gone away, my thyroid slowed to a crawl and my wonderful down to the minute 30 day periods now range anywhere from 25-31 days between and it's a fun guessing game every month. I have noticed I've had a lot of vertigo recently and insomnia so I'm thinking I ask for some bloodwork to see if we're kicking things off now at my new annual.