Hormonal changes in a 46 year old - any GP's about?

[MrsKOBrien]

Hi,

I am hoping to find out some answers as to what is going on with me.
I have just turned 46 and my periods came to an abrupt stop last summer (July) and I have only, once, seen a little bit of spotting. I have always been as regular as clockwork.
In November, I started feeling as horny as hell! And this went on until recently. I started looking at other men! It was getting ridiculous.
I went to the GP (although I didn't mention the horny bit) and she ran blood tests and sent me for a pelvic scan. All was normal and the blood tests showed I was still ovulating (as did the internal scan the sonographer did). But...no menstruation. I have 2 children btw.
I, and the GP, put it down to the fact I was doing too much with work - I'd gone back to full time NHS shifts (including nights for the first time) in 2016. The GP mentioned peri-menopause but said it was very unusual to suddenly stop periods like that.
Anyway, latest thing is I have come down with thrush down there. I have NEVER had this EVER. Is this all hormone related?
I have been feeling very unhappy at home for a while too.

Will these symptoms stop? I don't understand what is going on! I have no hot flushes or any other menopause symptoms - just sudden stopping of periods. being horny and now thrush! BTW DH and I don't have a sex life anymore.
Any ideas?

I am not a doctor, but periods can just stop, blood tests in peri are notoriously unreliable because of the hormone fluctuations at that time and you can certainly still ovulate/get pregnant during that time.
Some people do see a sex surge in peri and thrush does seem to be a common complaint at that time too.
Have you had any other blood tests done apart from the ones looking at your hormone levels?

You need to follow this up because if it is early menopause ( average age is I think 51) you should really consider HRT.
BTW I have never had hot flushes and am now 3 years post meno, not every woman gets them.

www.menopausematters.co.uk

It's more likely that periods dwindle out but it's not rare either to stop suddenly. All your symptoms sound like peri meno. Signs that you are ovulating are only valid on that day- bit like a car MOT. Snapshot of that day. Loss of estrogen does changes the flora of the vagina and thrush etc can be quite common. Have a look at the link the PP left. if you have not had a period since 45, that is on the cusp of an early menopause. Most drs would suggest HRT up to the age of 50-52 at least to protect your bones.

The GP wants to see me again in September and wants me to go for another scan as I do have a cyst on one of my ovaries. She did say that, after 18 months with no period, she is going to put it down to the peri-menopause.
I guess the fact that I have picked up thrush, for the first time, points to a change in hormone levels.
I will have a read of the link (thanks op) and see if the GP thinks HRT is my best bet!
I can't believe this is happening to me! I look too young. My mum is RIP so I can't ask what happened with her.

Don't be fobbed off insist on seeing an Endocrinologist , and don't worry my sister put up with it losing her mojo , unhappy , panic attacks, hot flushes till I dragged to a private Endocrinologist

she was sorted with some simple skin patches
don't panic , good luck

You should insist on HRT if you get a menopause diagnosis, MIL had serious osteoporosis with lots of fractures that crippled her, she had an early menopause and refused HRT.

My mum (RIP) had really bad osteoporosis but it was exaggerated by heavy use of steroids when she was in her 60's.
I think I will make an appointment as I never thought of HRT and osteoporosis.
Can extra blood tests be done to confirm?