Am I peri menopause????

[Mrpip]

I'm 43, ( just) and my periods have been irregular for at least 6 months. I've always been a 28 day girl my whole adult life. Even after the birth and extended breast feeding of my children but these days I don't know what's going on.
In the last 6 months my periods have been coming every 19- 21 days sometimes closer but Im now 43 days into my cycle and....nothing... Is this peri? I feel too young!

[willitbe]

I have had similar, cycles between 15 and 31 days over the last few months, went to my gp and was immediately referred to gynecologist where they did a biopsy of the endometrium (which came back normal), I will be scanned for ovarian cancer next, but I am thinking it is just the peri-menopause (though I am slightly closer being age 45!)

So I would say, perhaps go and chat to GP and see if they want you checked out, or if they are ok with just putting it down to perimenopause.

I am not enjoying the shorter, more irregular cycles myself.

[funkydubs]

Yes!!!!!! Welcome to peri menopause. Sounds like it. I also 43, periods been short, about 21-27 days for last few years but just last few months, been about 47 days apart, not worried at all, can't wait to finish periods.

[rhetorician]

I must be too, I'm 47 and periods are now 25 days apart and much heavier. Usually they last about 4 days but last one started, stopped and then started again....wish it could just all be turned off now.

[Mrpip]

Thanks for your messages. It's good to know I'm not alone.
Could do without the unreliability of my periods though. Still, this I can cope with. Don't fancy some of the other symptoms just yet.
Did any of you go to the doctor to confirm peri?

[bella65]

There's not a lot of point seeing the dr because blood tests are unreliable during peri- your hormones are all over the place from day to day.

However if your periods stop before age 45-46 you'd be considered to have a young meno- so you would be advised to think about HRT up to the age of average meno- 52- to protect your bones. There aren't the side effects which affect older women because you are simply putting back what you should have until you are 52 -ish.

[Mrpip]

Thanks bella65 that's really helpful info. I was only 43 last week so I'm a bit irritated that this could be starting already.

[ElectricSoftParade]

I was 43 when I was confirmed as menopausal and have been taking HRT since then. I cannot tell you how different I feel using HRT but my main worry is when I have to come off it. Presumably I will go back to feeling as shity as I did before?