..too totally change the subject (menopause)

[Wibblewobble100]

If you've been through the menopause how old were you and how long did it take?

[ButIbeingpoor]

44. I stuck it for 18 months before going on HRT, which I'm still on. Now 60.

[SilverDragonfly1]

I'm 41 and in peri-menopause. I feel like my whole life is spent having a period or ovulating as my cycle has shortened so much, which wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have painful periods and terrible PMT. That's my useful anecdote, lol.

[Wibblewobble100]

41 and 44 both early- ish?!?

[Out2pasture]

Irregular cycles by 45. No periods by 50. No HRT, mild hot flashes gone by 55.

[tompuss]

I started at 50, horrible. Have been on HRT ever since and I'm now 62; bloody marvellous!
It was ghastly - I blamed the EU *

[peppersaunt]

52 and approaching a year with no period

[ChipInTheSugar]

Started hrt at 41/42? Now 49 and not through it yet

[CuthbertDibble]

Started noticing peri-menopause symptoms, hot flushes, irregular periods, insomnia etc aged about 43. I'm now 49, haven't had a period for two and a half years. Still suffer a little with hot flushes, insomnia, sore joints and itchiness.

[Orac]

52. It took two years for periods to cease although they were hardly noticeable in that time. Horrendous hot flushes for 2 to 3 years but no other symptoms. Now 58 and delighted to be free of a 28 day up and down cycle.
    I still get hot flushes at night though.
    No HRT.

[pearlylum]

54. Periods stopped suddenly 8 months ago. No symptoms, no HRT I feel great.

[Libitina]

Does your memory ever come back post menopause? Mine is so bad atm. I can't even remember simple words some days . perimenopausal 46 year old

[OopsIneedtoapologise]

50 started peri menopause. Just got mirena replaced so hoping that will get me through.

Memory hideous some days ...... moods even worse.

But worth it when I remember how amazing my boy is.

[Wibblewobble100]

Thanks for sharing... Currently TTC and its taking a while. Been reading about FSH and the "rule" that you you should fine until 10 years before your mum went through the menopause. Which got me think about menopause. My mum was around 55 I think, so in theory I have 10 years still.....

[gobbin]

Started peri at 41 and last period at 46.

[gobbin]

Does your memory ever come back post menopause

Mine did, after a while in 'the fog'. Now over two years since last period and no major issues.

[DramaAlpaca]

I'm 52 and haven't gone through the menopause yet, but I've been peri-menopausal for a few years. I started getting heavy irregular periods in my mid-40s but the mirena coil sorted that out. I've had no other symptoms yet.

[NancyPickford]

44, six months of sudden hot flushes that felt like someone had lit a gas fire in my neck which made my whole head feel like exploding, lasted six months, then nothing.

[HPandBaconSandwiches]

I'm 40 and just started HRT. With hindsight I've probably been peri since before the birth of my 3 year old. Mother and grandmother both in their 50s for menopause so it doesn't always follow the rule.
For me it's like continuous PMT combined with the worst bits of early pregnancy. Continuous nausea, anxiety, and oh god the RAGE. combined of course with a cycle varying 15-70 days and bleeding mild to running down my legs.
Peri lasts on average 4 years I believe, but can be as long as 10.

As far as TTC goes, get to know your cycle with sticks/temping and go and see your GP as soon as you hit the 6 month mark to get some baseline tests. Assume time is not on your side, much safer that way. I was very lucky, if I'd known I was going to have a premature menopause I'd have TTC much earlier of course.

Good luck OP

[notagiraffe]

I'm 52 and think it's just about to begin. Think I've skipped one period and had hot flushes instead last week. But that could have been the weather and life has been so unbelievably stressful recently I could have just miscalculated.

[JapanNextYear]

36 peri menopause. HRT at 43. Now 47 and wondering if I'm nearly through. Mum and sis both later than that.

[DrLockhart]

18 early menopause 😟
31 started HRT

It's hard and don't think the HRT I'm on is right for me. Moods/anxiety are awful 3-4 days a month pre period, completely low and not myself.

[Wibblewobble100]

Argh... Getting a bit freaked out now.... A lot of you seem very young... Do you think this is a true representation, or do you think the mumsnet demographic is slightly younger ( not many women in 50's/60's) therefore those are responding have been early iyswim?

[mrsclooneytoyou]

Hrt at 36, peri from 31. Stopped taking Hrt as I didn't get along with it. Am now 43

[DramaAlpaca]

The average age for menopause in the UK is 51, I think.

And yes, I'm sure the MN demographic is generally younger, although there are a good few of us over 50s around the place. Off topic, but it would be really interesting to see an age breakdown of who uses the site.

[Destinysdaughter]

51, not had a period for 4 months but been having 'phantom periods' where I get PMS but no actual period which is weird and confusing. Also had a few hot flush type symptoms in the evening but nothing else. Bit nervous about what is to come but guess we're all different!