is this the beginning of the end?

[fortunecookie]

My period is always bang on time but this month it came 10 days early. I'm dreading the menopause & tend to see it lurking around every corner but could this be it?

How old are you? Have you had any other inklings?

you're the only one who answers me, BIWI! Thank you.

I was 45 10 days ago & no, no other inklings.

Well, average age of the menopause (according to my GP) is 52, so you're some way off! But then there is the perimenopause, which is the bit leading up to it - don't know much about this!

I've had a funny blip with my period - suddenly had a 42 day 'month' compared with normal 28-32 days, and have had a few hot flushes, so suppose I'm on the slippery slope. (But I't a bit older than you at 48).

Why do you dread it so much? In many ways it's quite liberating - no more periods!

I don't want to get fat. I don't want to get old. I hate the idea of being biologically redundant, ie no longer of childbearing age. I'm already volatile; menopause is bound to make me 10X worse!

well I'm older than both of you, not going to say how old But my periods started going haywire around 42 and eventually went on HRT when they stopped completely at 45. Didn't intend to do HRT but hot flushes, sleeplessness and worst of all fainting with no warning! Have never fainted before but apparently it was the hormone levels. have to admit didn't mind the 'biologically redundant' thing as I had been sterilised at 30 after my 2 children. Was also told that HRT was a good idea because I had started periods early, I was 10, and that combined with earlyish menopause makes you liable to osteoporosis.

god i can't wait for the menopause periods are a pita

Get fitted with a mirena coil southeast. My period went away completely & I actually missed it. I felt all out of sync! (BTW, why does MN now have a moon phase picture on the top?)