Could this be the menopause or start of it anyway?

[elah11]

I am 41 and over the last 8 or so months my cycle has gone from 28-30 day down to 25/26 days . Before I had my dd 6 yrs ago my cycle was always long, up to 36 days, but after she was born it eventually settled to about 30. However its getting shorter and shorter and more painful, I went to the GP who prescribed Ponstan (mefanamic acid) to help with the pain and heavy flow but it hasnt made any difference. When I mentioned the menopause she didnt even consider it? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks

I wouldn't panic. The entire meno thing can take 10 years. You might start like this then nothing at all for years then other symptoms and so on.
If your symptoms get much worse or your periods stop before you are 45then see the dr as you should take HRT until you are 50 to prevent osteoporosis.

Unfortunately that is one of the symptoms of the peri-menopause - shorter or longer cycles, and heavy or changeable bleeding. These symptoms can start well before flushes and swaets - the most obvious signs of menopause (which for me didn't start until I'd missed periods for about 5 -6 months).

Have you had a blood test? I know these aren't reliable tests of approaching menopause. Here is some information on the diagnosis of menopause:
www.menopausematters.co.uk/diagnose.php

If the flow is very heavy and painful, and the mefanamic acid doesn't work I know some women are prescribed the Mirena coil which releases progestogen into the uterine lining to keep it thin, and periods eventually stop. Then if you want to you can take oestrogen as well when symptoms develop. Other than that I know some women are given extra progesterone orally to help thin the lining.

Here is some info about treatment for heavy periods:
www.menopausematters.co.uk/periodtreatments.php

Have you been investigated for fibroids at all?

If your doc won't consider menopause she should at least offer one of these other treatments. Also there are women whoh have early menopause and it is not unusual. If you get no joy with her I would find another doc in the same practice. What a pity a woman doc is not more helpful!

Good luck.