Where's my period gone?

[WigWamBam]

Before I had dd my periods were very infrequent - two a year was the most I ever had. When they came back after dd was born they were as regular as clockwork, every 28 days right down to the hour, and have been for 5 years.

Except this one. I'm nearly three weeks late. I had all the right symptoms at the time my period was due - stomach cramps, achey fanjo, tender breasts - but no period.

I'm not pregnant (I know that's what everyone will suggest!), I have an underactive thyroid, which I know can cause wonky periods, but it's well controlled with thyroxine and my last thyroid function test was only a couple of months ago so it's unlikely to be that.

I'm 44, so I'm guessing that it may well be perimenopause, but was just wondering if anyone knew of any other things that could cause periods to go AWOL? Or am I just burying my head in the sand because I can't bring myself to believe that I'm getting menopausal ... my head thinks I'm still 24!

OK, so I know it's a boring subject and nowhere near as interesting as beating each other up on the feeding threads but if you could take a bit of time out from poking each other in the eyes I'd really appreciate it ...

are you stressed?
not eating properly?
sleeping ok?
any other symptoms?

I have no idea of what the answer is but I'm 37 and always been very regular. The last 6 months my periods have been all over the place, sometimes turn up a few days too soon, then others a week late. Like you I get all the symptoms but no period until it turns up.

my friend had her periods go wonky from about 46 building up to a menopause in her early fifties. Like a long fade out I guess.

Given that your peiods have been erratic on the past it could be as if your hormone levels drop your body responds by not menstrating.

Eating OK (too much, but mainly all the right things, if you know what I mean).

Depressed rather than stressed, not sleeping brilliantly well, tired a lot, otherwise pretty OK, I think.

DT, I wondered about the erratic periods in the past and hormone levels. Although I guess hormone levels points to menopause as well, doesn't it.

wwb its vicious circle too, the more you worry about where your period si the longer itll stay away

you can have hormone levels checked by the doc if you are worried or this continues

I'm 41 and came off the combined pill about 3 months ago. I haven't had a period since. I then began getting some hot flushes so went to my GP. After having a blood test he told me I was menopausal/ovarian failure. I am so upset about how casual he was, as though I should be happy. I told him the flushes had stopped but as no period has returned he says thats what I am.. I now have cramps and pains so maybe a period is coming. I really think more than 1 blood test needs to be done to establish fsh levels. Have you considered a bllod test?

I suppose so, np. Although since they came back stress doesn't seem to have made much difference to them.

I'm not hugely stressed about it, more curious as to what's going on.

The GP is pretty useless, everything gets blamed on my weight. They only diagnosed my underactive thyroid because he was trying to prove that there was nothing wrong with me that losing weight wouldn't cure!

Ah ... hot flushes. I've just remembered that a couple of months ago I had a couple of nights where I woke up with the bed absolutely soaked ... hmmm, I guess I have my answer.

Will see the GP about a blood test, I think.

Thanks all

wwb do you have a nice practice nurse? i fyou need/want to chat to someone and get good suggestions make an appt with practice nurse (and eventell her gp is useless)

The nurse is lovely, maybe I ought to pop along to the Well Woman clinic she runs. Although she'd only nag me for a smear test (I know, I know; I shouldn't need nagging!).

id see her before the gp

I might do that. I hadn't actually thought of seeing the nurse but it makes more sense than seeing the GP about it.

Thanks!