Menopause - at what point did you go to the Dr's?

I never went to the drs. At the time my MIL was ill and then my mother so I wasn't really conscious of any issue. After their deaths I realised that my periods had completely stopped and I wasn't pregnant. I didn't really have any symptoms so I was lucky I guess. I've been ill recently but my dr was saying that my hair was growing quickly and I have seriously long strong nails which people assume are false

I didn’t ever see the gp. I just put up with the hot flushes and a few months of nasty painful really heavy periods, then it all just stopped

no HRT

I had no symptoms other than periods getting irregular in my early 50s, so never went to the GP.

I’m 44 and recently started HRT. I made two big mistakes at work and while I do not claim to be perfect they were very out of character. I was so restless when sleeping (I said I was like a rotisserie chicken just spinning and spinning all night).

I have a condition that can put you into peri early but I was in denial, the mistakes were what made me make the call. I had to be referred to gyno due to the PCOS but referral was quick and I was started on an hrt patch and I’m so very glad I made the call.

I've not really had symptoms so not really considered HRT. However, I'm not a fan of taking medication unless necessary. For example, I've never taken the Pill.

I never felt the need to go to a GP

My GP told me that after 5 years the risk of cancer (due to the HRT hormones you are putting into your body) increases so to wait as long as possible unless really suffering, e.g
with night sweats affecting sleep.

I'm not sure why you would go to the doctor. They would just give you HRT and you don't sound like you really need it.

I never thought once to see a doctor , only symptom apart from period stopping was some hot flushes , not everyone needs medication

The combined pill works very well. For anyone 30s/40s having peri symptoms.

I started HRT at 47 because of hot flushes, and because it prevents osteoporosis, which runs in my family.

Also - the recently discovered link between menopause and Alzheimer's is worrying and I can't help but feel glad I live in a area where I can get HRT easily.

Older women on this thread who say that taking HRT is "over medicalising" natural ageing and that "drug companies are making money" perhaps need to do a bit more research into the wider benefits of HRT.

When I started flooding and my periods became very erratic to the extent that I was worried about going out and my ferritin became extremely low. I was put on HRT and not only did it resolve all that, but it also worked miracles on my sleep, sweating, moods, and itchiness! I finally went at 44 but had been having the latter symptoms for a couple of years prior.

Agreed. For those of us who have no/minimal symptoms, why should we medicate? I don't take medication for anything else either, but I guess I will have to if something crops up. We are all different.

Interesting. When I came off the pill at 30, I felt as if I'd been unwrapped - my senses were heightened, I was more 'present' and engaged with everything.

Unfortunately, my periods went straight back to the erratically-spaced WW1 trench warfare re-enactments that had put me on the pill in the first place. I had PCOS, though it wasn't diagnosed until I'd been putting up with random bloodbaths for a further 15 years.

Back to your OP question, anyway: On my 50th birthday, I had my first hot flush. It was unmistakeable. I walked to the GP in a snowstorm and presented for a same-day appointment. I had to wait a couple of hours, which I did outside in the snow, having stripped down to my vest 🥵

On the HRT, I carried on having heavy periods though they were, at least, to schedule. They tailed off at 62 (!) and I reduced my dose until I wasn't taking it any more. I was irritable and had occasional hot flushes, frequent night sweats. Once Conti patches became available, I got those because it's a very low dose. My main concern is fending off osteoporosis, though I have to say I prefer not being inexplicably angry about nothing or stupidly hot for no reason.

I didn't go to the doctors. Basically my previously erratic periods got heavy and regular and then they stopped.

OP there’s a whole Board here dedicated to menopause where you’ll get some excellent advice. Why did you post in AIBU?

I dont take any of those other things either though so I guess it wouldn't occur to me to consider drugs for a natural aging event unless I was actually suffering in some way. For women whose life is hell because if menopause it makes sense.

has anybody said on this thread that women shouldn't take HRT?
No.

It's such an old fashioned regressive view, to think that women should put up and shut up, when we could instead take a safe medicine that improves our quality of life.

Especially when this view comes from other women!

As we get older we take statins for our cholesterol, drugs to help our heart, omeprazole to reduce stomach acid, metformin for type 2 diabetes, anti depressants, drugs for dementia, aspirin.

But HRT? Nah, shouldn’t take that.

I went when my hit flushes were happening 3 times an hour from 5pm to 5 am. Unbearable. The rest I could cope with. But not that.

I’m 50, still having regular periods but they are so heavy. I discovered period pants a year ago and they are great but occasionally leak.
I have had anxiety for years so I don’t feel it has got worse but the brain fog is terrible.
I don’t have hot flushes, rare flashes of rage but nothing too bad (unless family are too scared to tell me! 😂)
I don’t know when is the right time to start HRT as I don’t want to start taking it too early or too late. It’s such a difficult decision to make but I did see in a news article today about the risk factor of grey matter reduction and how this can be linked to menopause.

Really interesting thread, thank you.

I had my second child two years ago, age 45, by caesarean. I have refused to go on the pill because I wanted to know what my body was doing as it adjusts between child birth and peri-menopause. Now that it’s been two years I should give it a bit more thought.

A PP mentioned tingling arms - yes - but I have had this as a symptom of carpel tunnel for 3 years (which may or may not be a symptom of peri)
Flooding periods - YES - every period since I gave birth, which have been longer and more frequent. I didn’t know this was a symptom of peri.
Brain fog and extreme tiredness - I’m 47, working full-time with 2 children - how do I know??
Loss of libido - absolutely! Couldn’t careless - hadn’t thought about this being any more than lack of time and general irritation with my partner.

Perhaps I ought to consider HRT before I change work or partner!

SO MUCH dangerous misinformation on this thread. I urge anyone wondering about HRT to do actual solid research and not listen to the likes of nonsense.
Do let me know what dangerous nonsense i said.

I spoke to the GP last year (just turned 49) about my poor sleep, but they said only symptom and bloods wouldn’t work well as on mini pill (no periods so no clue if they’ve stopped or not, unlikely as no other symptoms). My this last 3-4wks i’ve been waking for the day between 3-4 and just exhausted as work full time. I am taking magnesium and melatonin but no avail. So may see another trip on cards if no improvement.

Is there a need to actually speak with a doctor about menopause unless you are suffering? I was lucky I think. A bit hot at night and six months of brain fog which passed fortunately so I didn't see a doctor.