Changes to periods - start of menopause?

[Dancergirl]

I am 44 and feel far too young if it is the menopause.

In the last few years I have missed the odd period here and there for no reason. Last month I had a very light bleed, I thought that was it for that month. But less than 2 weeks later it started again and quite heavy.

Could this be the start of the menopause? How do you keep track of your periods or you just don't?

[MrsFitzherbertsGoat]

There are lots of period tracking apps. I've tried quite a few and like one called Clue. Lets you click to add bleeding, with options for how heavy etc.

Re: menopause / peri menopause, I've had good advice on here that you need to get the doctor to do an FSH test on day 2-5 of your period. High FSH can indicate that the ovaries are starting to fail.

[Shakey15000]

I've also downloaded an app to keep track of length.between cycles. Over the past 7months lowest has been 23 and highest 37

[PollyPerky]

You are on the young side but it can happen between 45-55. The small period changes can go on for years. The current advice is if periods stop before 45 you should use HRT up to the age of the average menopause - 52- to prevent osteoporosis and heart disease.

[Dancergirl]

Thank you. Still having quite heavy bleeding a week later! Is it normal for periods to get heavier?

[gobbin]

It sounds like it probably is the start. A straw poll of my friends experiences suggests that flooding is as common as periods getting lighter, yes.

Perimenopause can take years, so you may not actually finish until your 50s anyhow, so don't feel you've got to label yourself old just yet 😄. Mine took 5 years 41 - 46, but we have a history of early menopause.

The current advice is if periods stop before 45 you should use CONSIDER using HRT Many of us choose not to (but Polly and I have already scrapped that one out on another thread 😆)

[Dancergirl]

Thank you. I'll be 45 in January so I doubt periods will stop completely before then.

For those who've been through it, may be a stupid question but how did you deal with emotional side of it? I can't help feeling a bit sad that I won't be able to have babies any longer.

[PollyPerky]

Gobbin- it's the advice of NICE , not me personally. Of course women can choose, but going against medical advice is not always without its consequences.

dancer- I didn't feel emotional. I had the number of children I wanted, and felt fine about it all.

[ivykaty44]

My periods went haywire at 42 but it was something else and I didn't realise until I was rushed to hospital, sometimes it's worth getting checked out with GP if youre not sure

[Dancergirl]

Oh dear that's got me worried ivy.