Sorry - another menopause question

[TheFabulousIdiot]

I have a quick question or two for you menopause (peri-menopause) experts.

I am 43 and have always had a 23/24 day cycle but have had a couple of periods now were I have bled for more than a week, almost ten days last time though not heavily towards the end. My last cycle was 28 days and I assumed this was because I bled for a lot longer so ovulation was delayed or something like that?

This month I have so far bled for 9 days and so am thinking that I will probably end up having a longer cycle again.

Is this a menopausal thing?

I have also been feeling really sick despite never having suffered from sickness during my period in the past. It's horrible.

You should go and talk to your GP. At 43 this would be considered a premature menopause if your periods stop before you are 45. if that were to happen you'd need HRT to the age of 50 to prevent osteoporosis later on in life.
Thyroid problems can change your cycles- so go and see your GP for a chat.

Will do.

It's just that much of what I have read is about cycles getting shorter or erratic rather than longer.

BTW - I had IVF almost three years ago (Successfuly) and had tests before that which told me my egg reserve was low and I am not sure if having the IVF means the menopause may come prematurely? My cycles were always 23/24 days and remained the same after the pregnancy.

The interval between periods can change either way during perimenopause, and they can be heavier or scantier. At 43, I agree with pp that it's worth seeing GP to establish whether this is menopause and if so to discuss whether/when to consider HRT, or to see if any other investigations are indicated.

OK thank you - I think I have a bit of reading to do as I am not even sure what HRT is for and so on, or if people have to have it. Can you get away with not having it!

You don't have to have it. You need to discuss with your GP and weigh up factors including your age and the type and severity of the menopausal symptoms you are having.

I don't take HRT at present, as symptoms are restricted to cycle (and PMT!) irregularity and some hot flushes. I might opt for it in future depending on how things go.

You can't be forced to take any drug. But the recommendation is that women need the normal levels of oestrogen up the average age of the menopause - which is 50-51. HRT taken before age 50-51 does not 'count' in terms of risks associated with it because you are simply replacing what you should have.

You should seriously consider it even if you have no menopausal symptoms ( in addition to no periods) because otherwise your bones will be at risk of being brittle by your 50s- women lose up to 5% of bone each year within 5 years of their last period- so losing 25% of bone before you are 50 would not be good news.

HRT also protects against heart disease which is why pre meno women are not at risk of CVD in the same way as men.

Your GP would be negligent if they did not recommend HRT for an early menopause.