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Original poster

Menopause?? I really hope not.

83 replies

bubble99 · 03/01/2006 19:25

For the last couple of months my periods have been unusual for me. DS3 was born 10 and a half months ago and I think my ovulation was beginning to become a bit screwy when he was conceived, as he was a twin (his twin died).

I stopped B/F completely in September (I think!) First period afterwards was very light but the last three have been very heavy and have lasted for two days longer than usual. Also, mood swings Weepy one day and raging the next (again, unlike anything I've experienced before).

I'm TTC again and was really upset when my last AF showed up (which could explain the weepiness) but it's the raging which bothers me most.
Can anyone, who is either going through or has been through the menopause tell me what their periods were like before they stopped?
My mum was 48 when she went through it, so I'm a few years away (if family history plays a part) I'm 40 in July and I'm going to make an appointment to see my GP to see if I can have an ovarian reserve test, but I'm hoping someone can give me some clues based on their own experiences.

Thanks.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 03/01/2006 20:20

OH NO! A hormone crash after stopping BF?! What's with that? Does it ever end?

tamum · 03/01/2006 20:22

Noooo expat, I'm sure it was just because I am old and had fed dd for aaages. Please don't worry

chicagomum · 03/01/2006 20:22

Bubble, if that is the case do what you (and dh ) feel you need/want to do ( and I wish you all the luck and best wishes in the world). I feel you have a lovely and loving family with your boys but can see and understand the desire to concieve agian (huge fingers crossed for you). If we do end up your way would feel very special to have you looking after my little ones if it should so happen to be.

Original poster
bubble99 · 03/01/2006 20:30

I think it's the last twin pregnancy which has made me so worried. No history of twins at all in the family and I just assumed that I was misfiring one month and double-firing the next, which made me assume that my eggs and my ovaries/hormones were getting old and faulty.

OP posts:
EliBeentoSantasGrotto · 03/01/2006 20:33

Bubble, my sister's best friend had twins at 49...no fertility treatment (just a new, and younger, DH ) and no problems. Your ovaries can throw out extra eggs at ANY time, though yes its more likely during last few years pre-menopause. Those last 'few years' can be quite a long time, though!
Wishing you loads of luck with tests, and whatever you choose to do next.

Original poster
bubble99 · 03/01/2006 20:34

Yes. A trip to the GP is in order. Tell me about Clomid. Has anyone had it? Does it 'kick-start' ovulation?

OP posts:
EliBeentoSantasGrotto · 03/01/2006 20:38

Not done Clomid, myself - went straight to the 'big guns' eg Gonal-f - but know several women who did. Its cheaper than the injectible meds, but on the down side it can cause worse mood-swings/irritability and it can also thin your uterine lining if used for more than a couple of cycles. I'm sure lots of MNers on the conception thread will know about it first hand?

Original poster
bubble99 · 03/01/2006 20:41

EliBTSG. Where are you now with TTC? Do you mind me asking?

OP posts:
deenewyearward · 03/01/2006 20:41

bubble, I have been going through the same symtoms, and have been put on iron tablets as v aneamic (sp) dr also mentioned menopause, but I had thought things were meant to slow down not get worse!

Let em know how you are getting on, and we can compare notes, 40 in May as well!

Original poster
bubble99 · 03/01/2006 20:45

DeeNYW. I will do. Are you TTC at the moment?

Sorry. I'm obsessed at the moment. I've had to fight the urge to tap random old ladies and ask them about their menopausal symptoms.

OP posts:
deenewyearward · 03/01/2006 20:47

No, although the thought that this might be taken away from me, makes me broody. But I don;t think I could cope with three dss! Some days when I am feeling like this I can just cope with the two I've got!

bagpussinbootsmice · 03/01/2006 20:48

Bubble - you don't know me either, but at 36 when I was TTC and couldn't after a few years of trying - I went to a private consultant who told me I was going through an early menopause and that my eggs were v.poor quality - he suggested I could try IvF but even that may not give good results. We decided not to go down that route, I tried a few things, including reflexology and in 2001 I had dd1 and then when I was nearly 39 I conceived again and had dd2 - both naturally!

Would recommend reflexology and other alternative infertility solutions - there are some v. good books available.... unfortunately I just recently got rid of mine otherwise I would have sent them to you.

My thoughts are with you and keep everything crossed for you.... please stay positive

Bozza · 03/01/2006 20:52

Bubble I think on the period thing its normal for them to take a while to settle down after stopping breastfeeding - mine were horrendous after stopping feeding DD (although actually not stopping only cutting back) coupled with a failed attempt at inserting a mirena coil.

Original poster
bubble99 · 03/01/2006 20:54

Yes. I've heard good things about reflexology and TTC. I'll need to have a pedicure/visit to a chiropodist first, though.

OP posts:
Original poster
bubble99 · 03/01/2006 20:56

Bozza. It's the time thing. How long do I wait for them to settle down. Will I have any eggs left?

I'm sorry. I'm getting myself into a right state about this.

OP posts:
Bozza · 03/01/2006 21:03

I would say get yourself to the doctor - at least to just answer a few questions. It could be early menopause, it could be lots of other things.

mancmum · 03/01/2006 21:03

my doctor told me that bfing can make your body mimic the perimenopause and it can take a while for your body to recover - it took me about 6-7 months.. I had an ovarian reserve test but was told they are not very accurate - you are better checking ovulation with blood tests and predictor kits...

I am sure a lot of your mood swings are to do with TTC it is incredibly stressful esp given what happened with your twin. I struggled to conceive at 38 and tried chlomid I found the mood swings even worse... acpuncture helped me -- I did get pregnant with IUI treatment in the end..

I so hope you get your baby...

Original poster
bubble99 · 03/01/2006 21:10

Thanks, mancmum. I'm in tears again. What's wrong with me!

The mood swings are shocking. I've fallen asleep and woken up crying for a few days and had a huge row with Mr Bubble on New Years's Day and hit him In front of the children. How crap is that? I've never done that before. I feel totally overwhelmed with.....something. Hormones?

I'm annoying myself now. I know what I need to do.....See my GP.

OP posts:
JoolsToo · 03/01/2006 21:26

Hi bubble I menopaused at 36 (mother and sister also in their late 30's). I'd had 3 children by age 25 so it wasn't a problem to me.

I'm not really much help as I have never suffered any of usual symptoms - my periods just stopped and that was that!

I did take HRT for 10+ years for bone/heart protection but decided to stop after all the breast cancer hoo-ha. My GP sent me for a bone density scan which was normal so I didn't go back on them.

Hope you're soon feeling better and get the resolution you desire

Aloha · 03/01/2006 21:29

Bubble99 - I really don't want to be presumptious with someone who has gone through hell, but do you think it might be possible that in all the battling to find out what really happened to your baby, your thoughts about taking legal action (all totally and utterly justified btw) and your decision to try to have another baby, you may have not given yourself enough time to actually grieve for the child you have lost? What you are describing does sound like grief to me. And it would be crazy if you weren't desolate tbh.

JoolsToo · 03/01/2006 21:32

I think aloha has a point bubble

motherinferior · 03/01/2006 21:32

Bubble, darling, I'm so sorrry (though hardly surprised) that Christmas was so crap for you. I agree that whether or not your physical system is doing odd things, your emotional one is bound to be.

Get yourself to the doc, sweetie. I won't say 'don't worry too much' because that's worse than useless, but please try not to worry unnecessarily (as they say - my sister pointed out once when ticking the boxes for that Do You Have PND quiz that obviously you're going to think it's necessary, that's the whole point).

And email me about that letter again if you would like, or ring. Am frantically busy over the next week but things are a lot less grief-stricken in our house now.

motherinferior · 03/01/2006 21:33

Oh Aloha, how well put.

expatinscotland · 03/01/2006 21:34

Big (((HUGS))) Bubble. Aloha does bring up a good point, tho.

appyday · 03/01/2006 21:52

Hi bubble, am new on this thread, but am 40 and TTC. Having only found "the One" at 37 I fell at 38, now would love a 2nd, panic has set in as my mum lost herAF by 48, and I skipped my Nov one altogether. Had blood tests at docs 2 weeks ago but go back Thurs, so fingers crossed and big hugs for you, too.

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