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Original poster

To think I might be peri menopausal at 40?

26 replies

Singsongsungagain · 20/09/2015 12:05

Ok, dh had a vasectomy in Nov 2014. Had all follow up checks etc and all clear.
I am now 20 days overdue my period which has been very regular since my dd2 was born. I'm also finding that I'm sweaty all the time and feeling a bit tired. However I've just started a new, very stressful, job so it could just all be connected to that.
Could it be the early stages of menopause at 40?

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 20/09/2015 12:10

Yes, it could.

So you need to see your GP to discuss it, because HRT is usually indicated for premature menopause.

(can't account for the late period, but the other symptoms sound like a bug that's going around round here)

PacificDogwod · 20/09/2015 12:11

Yes, it could be.

Do a pregnancy test and see your GP.

PacificDogwod · 20/09/2015 12:11

Meant to say 'or it could not be'.

Do a test and see your GP Grin

AuntieStella · 20/09/2015 12:12

And the MN menopause topic might be a useful place for you to browse, perhaps starting with this thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/menopause/1928015-Premature-Menopause-Support-Group-anyone

Original poster
Singsongsungagain · 20/09/2015 12:12

How long should I wait to go? Pondering doing a pregnancy test but that seems daft considering the vasectomy and the fact that I have no other pregnancy symptoms.

OP posts:
scaevola · 20/09/2015 12:15

PG test might be worth it. The fail rate of all vasectomies is 1:2000, but that includes pregnancies arising from abandoning contraception before thr 'all clear'. But even though the odds are rather longer after proper testing, recanalisation does occasionally occur. Very rare, though.

Has your cycle ever gone weird during times of stress before?

PacificDogwod · 20/09/2015 12:15

Have a look at MenopauseMatters lots of good advice there.

Nobody here can diagnose you, there's lots of other options: you could make your dr's appointment and, eh presto, your period arrives.

Do you happen to know how old your mother was when she went through the change?

lorelei9 · 20/09/2015 12:16

Take a pregnancy test, not worth risking any delay. Stranger things have happened sorry to say.

TheHouseOnTheLane · 20/09/2015 12:16

It could be but it could also be other things. Look here..

It May Be Menopause, But ...

"What I see most frequently misdiagnosed as menopause is hyperthyroidism," says Dr. Warren. That's because the symptoms, which can include flushing, sweating, heat intolerance, heart palpitations, and sleeplessness, can easily be confused with those of menopause.

In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid produces excess amounts of thyroid hormone, thyroxine, which overstimulates organs and speeds up many of the body's functions. If left untreated, an overactive thyroid can cause a loss of bone mineral density, which, over time, can lead to osteoporosis. Hyperthyroidism can also result in an irregular heartbeat, which can lead to stroke or heart failure. Unintended weight loss almost always accompanies an overactive thyroid. So if you're losing weight but not dieting, your heart frequently beats rapidly, or you're always hot even when people around you are cold, don't just blame menopause. "There's a difference between the intermittent flushing and sweating associated with menopause and being hot and sweating all the time that is not menopause," cautions Dr. Simon.

margeys · 20/09/2015 12:18

This is not premature for peri menopause. It would be for the menopause. Yes it could be the peri menopause, and IME GPs don't know much about it. Menopause Matters is a brilliant site and a better source of information than your average GP.

PacificDogwod · 20/09/2015 12:20

Both Hypo- and Hyperthyroidism can mimic menopausal symptoms. And that's only the start…

Perimenopause is well recognised tbh - as so many hormone related things, it affects individuals very differently.
Nobody expects 'puberty' to be the same for every kid, and in the same way at the other end of ones fertile life, the symptoms/changes can be very varied.

EagleRay · 20/09/2015 12:31

I would do a pregnancy test to rule that out (stranger things have happened) and then get a full range of blood tests done to rule out various things. In my late 30s I started having odd symptoms - hot flushes, feeling a bit odd etc, and after various tests were done I was found to have extremely elevated prolactin levels (which was also causing absence of periods, but this was masked by the fact that I was on the mini pill and thought that was the reason I wasn't having any).

On a slightly irrelevant note, I'm now 44 and had some hormone tests done a few months ago and was told when I got the results that I was 'perimenopausal'. A few weeks ago I started feeling very odd and period was late - yup pregnant...

Original poster
Singsongsungagain · 20/09/2015 17:56

Oh Lordy. I really don't want to be pregnant. Honestly don't think it's that though. I generally feel very very nauseous in the early days of pregnancy and don't at all.

My cycle before my girls was all over the place (it caused huge problems conceiving dd1 and I ended up on Clomid). Since dd2 though it's been like clockwork. Maybe my body is just returning to its normal weirdness!

OP posts:
lorelei9 · 20/09/2015 19:11

OP - just take a test, not worth making any assumptions.

I think a lot of women have Random Weirdness Around Periods. I think that should be an official term Grin

stairway · 20/09/2015 19:51

Hot flushes were my first pregnancy symptom.

EagleRay · 20/09/2015 20:02

I think it's unlikely you're pregnant, but imagine it would be one of the first things they would want to rule out if you went to your GP.

Best to get your health checked to be on the safe side - whatever it is, I'm sure it will be treatable!

laffymeal · 20/09/2015 20:07

My perimenopause started at 40. Periods stopped completely at 48, so 8 years of night sweats.

KitKatCustard · 20/09/2015 20:16

I was peri menopausal at 40 ( previous regular periods behaving oddly and mimicking pregnancy, as you describe) and periods stopped at 46. Hot flushes from 44 and still continuing now at 57!

Original poster
Singsongsungagain · 20/09/2015 21:13

It's lovely isn't it! I'd be delighted to never have another to be honest. I am done with having babies (hence the vasectomy!). Fingers crossed it's not that!!!

OP posts:
Saltedcaramel4 · 20/09/2015 21:22

Could easily be your body doing what it did pre kids. Random cycles. How long did you actually have regular periods for when you were temporarily regular

Mistigri · 20/09/2015 21:32

I would start with a pg test. Stranger things have happened and you should always exclude the obvious first. Then see your GP if necessary.

Perimenopause can be a long process ... I have probably been peri-menopausal for at least five years. Periods stopped for a while about three years ago but that coincided with a stressful time at work and some weight loss. Since then, they'll be regular-ish for a while, then stop for a month or two, then come back. Thought I'd seen the back of them this time last year (at 50) but I was wrong!

spoonfulofgoodness · 20/09/2015 21:39

Is there a history of early menopause in your family?

margeys · 20/09/2015 22:08

40 is not premature for peri menpause.

Original poster
Singsongsungagain · 20/09/2015 22:22

7 months salted. Not long really so could well be business as usual!

No history of early menopause but my mum took years for it to fully happen.

OP posts:
spoonfulofgoodness · 20/09/2015 22:38

Definitely get it checked at docs singsong just to be on the safe side. From my own family history, menopause has been hereditary so it might be that you're following in your DM's footsteps on this one.