How to confirm if I'm in menopause?

[Ykn]

I am 48 and a half years old. Periods always been a regular 28 day cycle up until the last year or so when sometimes it's been anywhere between 23 to 26 days. PMS quite bad a day or two before bleeding.

This month my period is over a week late (not pregnant) and although I've had all of the usual signs my period is on its way, there is still no bleed.

My DM's menopause happened at around the same age, and says her periods just stopped. I haven't got any other close female relatives to ask what age their menopause happened.

How do I go about confirming if I'm permenopausal or in the menopause? Is there a blood test I should ask my GP for?

You are in menopause the day you reach 365 days of no period. Blood tests for peri unreliable as they fluctuate so much. NICE guideline is to offer HRT based on symptoms alone if you are >45. The Balance app is a good way to track symptoms.

Your GP can send you for a blood test of your oestrogen/progesterone and testosterone. Treat you accordingly. Have just upped mine and had testosterone added-that’s been a game changer!

Be careful about contraception, op. My great grandmother thought she was in menopause at 49 because she hadn't had a period in 8 months. Turns out she was about 6 months pregnant. The baby was born when she was 50.

I never really knew to be honest. There was no neat change from one phase to the next. I would have no periods for a couple of months, then they would return, then extra heavy, then nothing, then back to normal and so on un til they stopped. If it matters to you to know, then I'm sure your surgery could advise you though.

Your GP can send you for a blood test of your oestrogen/progesterone and testosterone

As a pp has already said, post 45 blood tests are not reliable and if the GP suggests this, there’s a good chance that they don’t know very much about menopause or NICE guidelines.

After a year of no bleeding.