To be upset that I might be going through the menopause...

[Fourfingerkitkat]

...I've only just turned 38. Mum went through it when she was 35 so I was always kind of worried that I'd have trouble conceiving which wasn't the case thankfully. Up until about 4 months ago my periods were like clockwork, bang on 28 days. Then they've came every 18 days and this last one was 33 days. I have 2 gorgeous kids but can't help feeling upset that this might be "it". Doc did some blood tests about 6 weeks ago which apparently showed my hormone levels as normal but I thought they'd need to take blood over a couple of months before they could see if hormone levels were falling ? Don't have any other symptoms, no hot sweats....still a grumpy bitch but think that's just me at the moment !

Even though my OH doesn't want any more kids there was a small part of me hoping for a number 3....although it would be totally irresponsible given our circumstances at the moment. I hate the fact that it may no longer be my choice !

I went to the docs in January with similar issues and they put me through a variety of scans and tests - which have actually resulted in them finding an issue with my gall bladder and me having an op to have it removed.

Apparently the hormone levels can stay as they are for about 2 years as you would be peri-menopausal (I think).

Make sure they do more tests and scans as could be fibroids or something like that (a lot of women have fibroids - not to be worried about unnecessarily).

But you do need to keep pressing the doctor - perhaps get referred to a gynae clinic.

I'm 41 and my periods stopped completely in March. I have had no other menopausal symptoms and a blood test showed my hormone levels as normal. I am upset about it too. I have 2 teens, severe SPD that has never resolved so having more kids was never an option, but for some reason this has made me really really down.

I am going back to the GP in a couple of weeks because she said if the bloods were normal she would look at other reasons before saying it is the menopause.

We have 4 children (two are still quite young), and 2 grandchildren. No plans to ever have any more. So IMO bring it on! The sooner I have no more monthly, the happier I will be. Some days I wish that we could have a switch that we turn on when ready to get pregnant and then just turn off when we're done.

Sorry that it's stressing you out though. If it helps, I've heard that a fair number of women get pregnant in that perimenopausal stage.

WkdSM - thanks for that info...she said my iron levels were very low and I'm due to get another blood test done so I'll enquire about the things you mentioned.

Landorsoapandglory - SPD ? what's that...apologies if it's obvious..!

Triggles - we're never happy are we ! I've been moaning all morning about the cramp I have all morning and was moaning before that my period might not come ! OH would freak if I fell pregnant again....think it would be a wee Ebay baby the way finances are at the moment ...

I'm 42 and thought I was too. Haven't had a period for 3 months and before that it was 2 months. I've always been bang on 28 days too. Went to docs for something else and was told that if I didn't have period for 6 months I could assume it's the menopause. I've been having hot flushes. She didn't test blood as she said we could in 6 months if I wanted or just assume it's the case.

Typically though period came a couple of days after seeing doc. I think I'm perimenopausal and it's all slowing down. I was a bit gutted when period came as I thought I was flying through it relatively easily but I'm back at the start.

I was devastated when mine happened practically overnight (but I'm a lot older than you OP and it was to be expected I suppose). The GP called me on my mobile and breezily told me the results of my tests - I burst into tears in the street.

nn I wouldn't have been having any more kids though I wanted at least another 5 but that's besides the point! It's not having the choice that I felt absolutely gutted about. It doesn't sound like you're there though - I'd have some more tests to see what's going on. If your iron levels are low then maybe that has something to do with it.

KitKat it is a pelvic condition associated with pregnancy. It usually gets better, but mine never has and I can't walk unaided anymore.