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Menopause

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Original poster

v. heavy and into second week - when to see GP?

50 replies

lilolilmanchester · 03/05/2011 20:53

Posting in menopause as I think I am heading that way....

In late 40s, have had heavy periods for several years now and have been taking tranexemic acid. I hadn't had a period for 2 or 3 months, but am now on day 12 of heavy bleeding. Got some iron tablets from the chemist. Plan to go to the doctor once I've finished bleeding as due a smear. But wondering at what point I should seek more urgent advice?

OP posts:
Original poster
lilolilmanchester · 08/05/2011 17:12

got GP appt tomorrow - will post back, not cos I think anyone is interested in me particularly, but know others in similar situation will be following this thread...

OP posts:
crazynanna · 09/05/2011 15:18

lilolilmanchester I'm interested in you!Grin

puddinghead · 09/05/2011 22:43

How did the appt go lil?

Original poster
lilolilmanchester · 10/05/2011 21:38

Hi, thanks for asking, and sorry for not posting earlier. GP said that 2 weeks very heavy bleeding not necessarily anything to worry about BUT need blood test (done) to check hormone levels to confirm whether menopause related. If not, then further tests will be needed. Fingers crossed that is is menopause related!

OP posts:
shakey1500 · 18/05/2011 15:10

Hi thought I'd tag along on this thread than start another.

I'm 42 this year and think I'm just starting the menopause (my mum was early as well so have been expecting it). Is it usual to feel like you're coming on for aaaggggeess? I haven't had excess bleeding yet and am still roughly every month but my mood is all over the place :(

I always feel like I'm about to start my period. Also I'm a tad worried as i've read that if you've suffered depression in the past it's more than likely you will have depressive symptoms on the menopause? This I could truly do without. I've a three year old (so tired anyway lol) and have also started to have dizzy spells.

Would appreciate any words of wisdom, especially advice on herbal treatments for my symptoms. Also (

cabbageroses · 19/05/2011 17:20

shakey you might get more replies if you start a new thread as yours is going to get lost here.

shakey1500 · 19/05/2011 19:22

Thanks cabbageroses I will. Was wary of starting another "Is this the menopause" thread! Will have to give the grey cells a shake and get inventive...:)

sharbie · 19/05/2011 19:30

just caught up with this thread

lilolil hope everything turns out ok with the blood test

shakey - i have had that coming on feeling a few times not every month though.can't help with dep or herbal stuff.you are def not alone on here though Smile i found loads of helpful advice.very reassuring.

shakey1500 · 19/05/2011 19:44

Thanks sharbie :) Hope so, I can see me being here a while!

Original poster
lilolilmanchester · 19/05/2011 21:40

Hi, sorry, not been around much due to work stuff..... phoned up to make a follow-on appointment today, the receptionist was able to tell me that the blood tests said "menopause confirmed"..... am seeing GP on Monday to discuss "what next" - and I guess you can expect to see me on this board quite a lot over the next.... however long it takes..... !!

Shakey - I'd suggest you go to see the GP - you can have a blood test which can tell whether or not you are menopausal. I went to the GP because although I was sure I was, my "symptoms" would have been very worrying if not so wanted to get checked out.

OP posts:
MissKittyEliza · 27/08/2011 15:35

That was May, lilolilmanchester.... Where are you up to now? What did your GP give you?

Original poster
lilolilmanchester · 27/08/2011 15:57

Hi MissKitty, thanks for asking - and apologies to everyone who kindly posted, I thought I had updated after I'd been to docs obviously I didn't (memory addled - but at least now I can officially blame my hormones!) Basically I am carrying on with tranexamic acid (to reduce bleeding) and also have a supply of norethisterone (which you can take 3 days before period due to delay periods - tho given than periods are now completely irregular, not that useful). We discussed HRT, GP suggested trying to do without for as long as poss as they only like women to be on HRT for 5 years now and apparently once you start, it's hard to come off. She said to see how it goes and go back if I want to discuss any aspects, and she would prescribe HRT if we both agreed it was necessary. Annoying thing is that no-one can say how long it will take to get through it - could be months/years - but I feel a whole lot better just knowing that it's "official" and that a lot of the symptoms I were having are down to that.

OP posts:
Original poster
lilolilmanchester · 27/08/2011 15:59

(funnily enough, I opened this thread just now to share my experience with the OP... then realised it was me!!)

OP posts:
mycatsaysach · 27/08/2011 17:09

hi lilo (sharbie ere) Smile

glad to hear you got on ok at drs

i have had a normal few months but am now back exactly where i was at beg of this thread

Original poster
lilolilmanchester · 27/08/2011 17:14

hi sharbie... am same, very mixed... right nuisance, isn't it?!

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MissKittyEliza · 27/08/2011 17:45

Thanks....

I just want to NOT have a period every 10 to 14 as there's nowt wrong with my libido, yet!!

MissKittyEliza · 27/08/2011 17:45

10 to 14 days, that would be.

Original poster
lilolilmanchester · 27/08/2011 18:59

oh, poor you, I sympathise. Have you spoken to GP about medication which might help? Norithesteron can delay periods (tho you have one afterwards) doesn't work for me as they are so unpredicatable. GP said they should work if you takie them after period started (ie to stop it) but that hasn't worked for me.

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ameliagrey · 27/08/2011 20:56

LIL Can I just add something?

My friend saw our gynae last week ( we go privately to the same one) and has started on HRT(I am on it anyway) and she asked about timings and coming off it.
He said that some women have no more meno symtpoms when they come offf it- others find it has just delayed the symtpoms.

So don't assume automatically that it's "hard to come off it".

The dr I see is a top gynae who sees 100s women who are menopausal, so it's worth noting what he has found.

Original poster
lilolilmanchester · 27/08/2011 22:36

thanks Amelia, good to hear a different POV, especially opinions of a specialist rather than a generalist (no offence to any GPs reading this, but you have to admit, it's a good point).

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MissKittyEliza · 27/08/2011 22:44

No, not been to GP yet. Am about to go but was asked to keep a diary and have done so, since Xmas.

It's erratic so, hope he/she can offer something.

ameliagrey · 28/08/2011 10:19

lilo Just to add -again...

I was adamant that i would not have HRT as I am an "all natural person" as far as possible.

I had what i thought was a non existent meno- periods right up to 53.5- 54 last one ,with only a couple of missed ones, shorter cycles andnothing else.

However, after my last period I did start having flushes every hour ( impossibel when working with men), terrible sleep.

I was doing everything I could diet -wise-, masses of exercise etc etc. So I decided to try HRT nad it's been great.

My gyane thinks up to 5 years is okay then after that you have to balance risks and benefits.

There was an hour long programme on Womans Hour earlier this year with specialist drs and one ( a woman) said she would take HRT for 10 years.

You might be able to find the programme online- not sure if it's still around.

I don't go for this idea that woemn have lived for centuries without HRT because, up until not that long ago, we all died at 50-sih anyway.

Original poster
lilolilmanchester · 28/08/2011 14:13

thanks Amelia - as I said, good to hear other views, the power of MN and all that!!!

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MissKittyEliza · 28/08/2011 18:35

Good point Amelia... Also, I've recently seen pics of my nan and her sister in their late 40's and early to mid 50's. They looked OLD!

mycatsaysach · 27/09/2011 20:11

hi Smile just interested to see how everyone is getting on - no change here

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