AIBU to think that now I'm 57, my periods should have stopped!

[WeWantSweet]

Missed odd months, then had a 4 month gap and thought that was it. But no, it's back to odd months again and alternating light and heavy.
Haven't had kids, so not sure if Mother Nature is punishing me, lol.

Having a holiday ruined when you are 62 because you are in the middle of a 21 day mega period and can’t venture far from the hotel is no fun. Well it’s no fun at any age but 62 is taking the piss. At least the Mirena stopped that...I’m now two months off 66 and had a light bleed (spotting) two weeks ago. I wasn’t surprised because the PMS gave me warning.

54, almost two years without now. Thought I was late going into menopause, but reading this thread, seems not ...
Most things you read, suggest average age is 51

I cant remember when mine stopped tbh im 58 , im thinking it could have been 10 years ago , certainly more than 5 and it took me a while before I realised I hadnt had a period for a while , luckily no bad symptoms , occasional feeling hot , probably snappy , never thought it was being menopausal tho ! .guess ive been lucky

At least the Mirena stopped that...I’m now two months off 66 and had a light bleed (spotting) two weeks ago. I wasn’t surprised because the PMS gave me warning

You need to find the meadow. Quickly.

At least one of the studies looking at age of menopause used a sample population between the ages of 40 and 55.
I suspect most research into the natural age of menopause is similarly flawed, and that the range is much greater than is normally suggested. I think I’m on the far right of a normal distribution. Someone with excessively early menopause in their early 30s would be on the far left.

The meadow would be a hysterectomy! But they won’t do one because there’s “nothing wrong with me” - we’ll, strictly speaking, that’s true...

Agree with AGnurse.May be idea to get a check up ,as occasionally can be symptons of something amiss .Hopefully not ,but could also ask while there for some help managing them .

Sorry to go on, but this subject is of serious interest to me...I think (with no evidence, admittedly) that the average (mean or median) age of menopause is probably higher than the 51 generally quoted because that seems to be based on a small number of (probably) flawed studies.
I suspect that there are relatively fewer very early menopauses, because these are more likely to be caused by problems of some sort. Similarly I suspect that rather more women carry on having periods into their late 50s and early 60s than is generally thought, because in a sense, this is not a problem (though it might be for the individual, like me). And generally, people don’t talk about it. I know I got fobbed off by the GP a couple of times.
So I think the distribution is skewed towards the right. If I win big on the lottery I’ll think about funding some research!

The meadow would be a hysterectomy!

You're blessed woman.

I agree with your theory regarding the current median within the distribution perhaps being flawed.

No need to answer of course, but are you still sexually active?. I'd like my theory on a correlation between a continued regular sex life and later onset of menopause to be explored with some of your potential winnings also. Research costs money and EU funding looks likely to be scarce in future!

Leakinglikeacolander
So what are peri symptoms?

Everything that happened during your periods on your heaviest day plus all your worst PMT plus some added random weeping and hot flushes. Its marvellous, simply marvellous.

Catherine - sorry to bust your theory, but no...not for quite a long time..sex is nice but relationships are tiresome, and generally you need one for the other, so I haven’t bothered.

Agree with born - very little to no sex and I’m late to menopause

Also, my periods started at 11 and I also smoked between 30-35 yrs so doesn’t tie in with either of those theories either.

For those who had blood tests done it really isn’t recommended unless you’re under 45. Also, one test isn’t enough to know where you’re at with it as hormones fluctuate through the month.

Useful to keep these to hand for further info - especially for GPs resistant to offering HRT:

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23

Ugh! Oh well!

TheInebriati Ah, I'm experiencing everything but the hot flushes.

Periods should be on a subscription service, like pay-per-view TV. Subscribe when you need them, cancel your subscription when you don't.

If men had periods, there would have been a solution found years ago.

Leakinglikeacolander Congratulations - you have peri menopause! Or possibly not.

Also, my periods started at 11 and I also smoked between 30-35 yrs so doesn’t tie in with either of those theories either

It's good genes innit? I fear I've inherited all the crap ones on both sides of family.

I think theres a lot research into anti-aging going on and apparently in the very soonish future the menopause with its side effects will become optional

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.newscientist.com/article/mg23130833-100-menopause-reversal-restores-periods-and-produces-fertile-eggs/amp/&ved=2ahUKEwjE2aOu35_iAhWHWhUIHRIaCYIQFjAMegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw27wPA5sOlU2FMCjMW60I1Z&ampcf=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.newscientist.com/article/mg23130833-100-menopause-reversal-restores-periods-and-produces-fertile-eggs/amp/&ved=2ahUKEwjE2aOu35_iAhWHWhUIHRIaCYIQFjAMegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw27wPA5sOlU2FMCjMW60I1Z&ampcf=1

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/stop-menopause-reverse-aging/amp/&ved=2ahUKEwjE2aOu35_iAhWHWhUIHRIaCYIQFjALegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw3U8eQbiQSkWNYMrZlL5gtv&ampcf=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/stop-menopause-reverse-aging/amp/&ved=2ahUKEwjE2aOu35_iAhWHWhUIHRIaCYIQFjALegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw3U8eQbiQSkWNYMrZlL5gtv&ampcf=1

It's good genes innit? had t looked at it that way

Interesting links Catherine - show hope for women who go through really early meno but want kids.

Not sure about the 2nd link re melatonin as I’m wary of anyone who says they can’t get the treatment “stateside” but he can offer it in Italy. Also...a woman getting pregnant 3 years after her periods stop Might be true, but then it desperate women/couples would try anything to get pregnant. A quick google shows melatonin has been researched for this and other things for many years.