Early menopause-can it be checked for?

[bratnav]

Basically for 3 generations of my mothers family (all women in bloodline) have had early menopause, anywhere between 34-36.

Will I be laughed out of the GP surgery if I ask if there is any way they can check if this will also happen to me?

Any ideas?

They can only check your hormone levels and tbh unless you are having signs, then they might not want to know.

The other thing is, your hormones fluctuate so much from day to day that you need to have a blood test on day 2/3 of your cycle and possibly repeated for a few months.

I did read that there is a test which can predict the menop. it was aimed at women who might want to delay having kids for a career etc. It measures the state of your ovaries etc. Don't know if it's available on the NHS but I bet some fertility/private clinics offer it.

Are you wanting to know re. having children-or just curious?

Well I am almost 30 now and DP and I were discussing having another DC in a couple of years, it's obviously not urgent for now, but I would hate to find out that I had left it too late.

I wish there was Bratnave, it also runs in my family (at the 40 mark).. I just assume it will happen to me at about that time and that way I feel I can prepare myself not to be disappointed

I was tested for all sorts of things recently because my pmt was so bad. One of the tests was hormone levels to see if it was in the beginning stages of menopause.

Go to your GP have a chat about your concerns, I'm sure they will be sympathetic especially given your family history.

Maybe you should make some enquiries at some private fertility clinics, just to see what is on offer?

I had a friend who had her 2nd child at 37 and then went on to have a menop. at 43-ish- she miscarried between her first and 2nd child and now thinks it might have been because she was on the way out, fertility-wise.

However, to give you some hope- I have 2 friends whose mother's had meno. at 36-39, and they are still menstruating at 50- so it doesn't always follow.

If I were you, I'd look into the test I mentioned- it can predict your fertile years and must be available somewhere, though probably privately.

Oh well, it was worth a try...

I suppose we will either have to take our chances and wait, or perhaps convince DP that we could up the timescale slightly for safety (snorts and giggles)

OK, maybe will make an appointment to ask anyway. I think they will think it's a bit odd anyway as I will have to ask for my repeat script for my pill at the same time

p.s. Just want to add- I am 53. My hormone profile 5 months back showed i was post-meno- I had only missed 3 months of periods. However, since then I have had 2 periods ( between Jan and now) and my gynae wants to run hormone tests again. What I am saying, is that hormones fluctuate so much. One set of tests might say you are on the low side then another set might show you are very fertile. If you are really worried, I'd still say look into tests etc.

Thanks GND

You've got me going on this one- did a google and the test is called AMH- anti-mullerian hormone. It is being developed in the Netherlands. Don't know if it is available here etc. It predicts your fertile age, not your chronological age.

p.s if you do a google seach The Doctors Laboratory in London comes up as a place where you can have this test done.

I thought this might be useful, AND this is the lab that my gynae ( very good one) uses for all the tests I have done. So it is reputable.

Blimey, thanks GND, that's incredibly helpful

Ah, it can only predict within a 2-3 year window, which I am fairly sure about anyway

But you might be wrong- look at my 2 friends who are still having periods at 50 when their mums' stopped late 30s- you might break the mould!

true. Am off to the docs this afternoon for my lovely ear infection anyway so will ask then

OK, went to the GP who said that the test is not available on the NHS, but she is going to find out how I can get it done. She very cheerfully added that if she was me she 'wouldn't be wasting any time though' .

Is it true that your fertility can decrease up to 3 years before the onset of menopause?

bratnav, I don't want to sound alarmist, as I am NOT an expert - but if you know you want a second, PLEASE don't delay. I have a a friend who did, and it was too late, adn I wintessed the oeverwhelming distress and regret she suffered. She did then go on to have twins via a donor egg, but it took a great dela of time, moeny and emotional rollercoatering, and she was VERY lucky, so unless you can take that risk, please don't delay...

Thanks mrsGoG

hi brat- glad you went and asked about it.

Re. fertility declining- it's a very gradual process. Maybe the same stats do not apply to early meno? i.e. 3 years before.

You see most people have meno at 45- 55 so if your fertility starts to decline after aged 35, which it does, this is not an issue for most women,as the will have completed their families before aged 45.

I guess you should go for the test if you are really worried but think of having your 2nd over the next year or two.

Well actually it would be my 3rd I have 2 gorgeous DDs and DSD, but DP and I ecided we would like 'our' child, not that we don't consider the 3 that we have 'ours' IYSWIM.
Oh heck that probably sounds awful