..too totally change the subject (menopause)

[Wibblewobble100]

If you've been through the menopause how old were you and how long did it take?

44 here. I'm three months short of 46 now. I recently went 14 months without a period, then got one out of the blue a few months back. I don't know if I 'll get any more, and I've stopped bothering to note the dates too carefully. I'm not on HRT, but take a supermarket brand menopause vitamin and mineral supplement, plus iron and extra calcium + vit D (maternal family history of osteoporosis).

Only symptoms so far have been feeling warmer, especially at night - I have windows open and kick the covers off. I get momentary feelings of particular warmth which I guess must be flushes, but it's nothing unmanageable. I also get stiff limbs now, but so does DH, so that must just be age.

DrLockhart
That's awful for you. Have you looked at The Daisy Network which is for premature menopause or Menopause Matters which I've found to be a brilliant resource. I hope you've been referred to a good menopause clinic, you shouldn't have to face this alone. The PMS symptoms are one of the reasons I went with mirena and continuous oestrogen so I don't get the fluctuations. Hope you find something that works for you. Menopause is horrible.

Thanks HP
Will have a look at those links - I remember them from diagnosis but not really been on them since
It is what it is and I deal with it mostly but on a down day.

53 started hot flushes, stressy, poor concentration, just generally feeling "not right" has been going on for a year. Am trying to manage with healthy eating and exercise but may consider hrt if it goes on much longer.

For those people with itregular bleeding or months where it never seems to stop or gets very heavy, have you tried Agnus Castus? Ive never really tried natural or alternative remedies and tbh am a bit of a scepric but after a lifetine of fairly light periods, i suddenly got floods coupled wih periods that didnt want to stop as well as shorter cycles. I must have had about 3 clear days a month anyway my gynaecologist recommended Agnus Castus. It helped immediately but also takes a while (2 or 3 months) for full effect but I've gone form 21 days back to 28 day cycles and the flooding is more or less gone and much less bleeding once the period has stopped. Id strongly recommend giving it a try. I also feel a lot less tired and much better in general. It's recommended you take it either first thing in the morning or last thing at night, so at the same time each day. It has been amazing for me. I'm 46 now. Still peri. Have been for a few years. Feel much more in control with Ac. I stopped taking it for a while and my periods went all over the place again. No idea when my mum or gran had menopause. These things are not talked about in our family

I had a total hysterectomy at 42 and had my ovaries taken so went straight into menopause.

I didn't take HRT and have been absolutely fine. I had the odd hot flush and night sweat but nothing that has caused me too much stress.

Weight gain has been an issue for me but I'm at peace with that now, I couldn't be arsed with dieting and exercising enough to stay at the weight I used to be.

47 - came off Mirena and didn't want to take the pill so requested an FSH test, which came back normal. Wasn't convinced, didn't take pill, never had another period just the odd spot. Had hot flushes for 3 years or so no major issues.

Hot flushes every 20 minutes day and night. Intolerable, I was struggling with my job, which involves teaching large groups of adults. I tried everything, but HRT changed my life - literally, I was spiralling into suicidal thoughts. Been on it for 8 years now (I'm 55), would prefer to keep taking it for the rest of my life actually.

I was 45 when periods became very heavy shortly followed by every symptom under the sun! Was 49 last year and had two periods in that year and so far this year have had one. Flushes, joint and muscle aches, insomnia and crazy lady moods are all constant. Got a prescription for hrt last week but am scared to take it.

Pinkie I totally understand. I was scared to slap the patch on last week for the first time but nothing amazing has happened yet aside from some dulling of the rage. There actually less hormones in HRT than in the combined pill and very few of us have such qualms starting that.
In the end I gave it a go for my family's sake - I've been getting very grumpy.
What's the worst that can happen - if you don't like it you can always stop.
Be brave, it might change your life!

Ovaries removed so instant menopause. Tried every type of HRT and have been on oestrogen implants now for over quarter of a century love the sound of that, seems like for ever Twice a year I have a tiny pellet inserted under my skin ( about the size of a match head) and the rest of my life is one of normality. Bone density is that of a woman 17 years younger and I have more energy and look younger than my peers.

Just telling you this to make you aware that menopause these days is optional. You don't have to put up with it.

I should add to my earlier post that I didn't take hrt, and didn't feel the need. At the time I used to deliberately go down the "feminine hygiene" aisle (hate that term) just to look at all the pads and tampons I no longer needed and a little jig of joy.

Hp, I was prescribed Elleste duet and have read that a lot of women feel very sick on this. Also not sure that I want to go back to a monthly bleed. I did pick up the prescription yesterday and I keep looking at it!

I had hot flushes at 47 and then they stopped and I had no periods for months. I felt great and was really pleased to have apparently got through the menopause with few symptoms. Then the periods and hot flushes came back. I'm 49 now and am hoping they stop again soon...

How old are you now wobble? Is there a reason you're worrying so much or is it the uncertainty of ttc that's bothering you?

Hi I’m on HRT been on for 4 years does anyone know if it causes hip pain or is it probably arthritis

Can you still conceive on Femeton HRT?

My peri started at 40, got on HRT within the year. Still on it now at 47 and it's fabulous.

@Oldie40

Can you still conceive on Femeton HRT?

Doubt it - even if you were still ovulating, either the womb lining would be too thin or you'd have a period fairly shortly even if you did conceive (depending which type of Femoston you were on, sorry, can't remember the names of the types).

@Wibblewobble100

Argh... Getting a bit freaked out now.... A lot of you seem very young... Do you think this is a true representation, or do you think the mumsnet demographic is slightly younger ( not many women in 50's/60's) therefore those are responding have been early iyswim?

Thing is that the definition of menopause is one whole year of no periods. Most women class themselves as menopausal when they get symptoms. I got hot flushes constantly from 48 so started hrt. I would probably still have had periods but had a Mirena so never bled.

A lot of women start using the Mirena around this time as it’s the preferred method of progesterone replacement. So quite a lot of women aren’t sure if they have stopped bleeding or not.

So you are right, people are reporting their symptoms earlier than average age of actual menopause.