Hi!
I'm 38 and on the combined pill (microgynon), not forgotten any pills but I'm not sure my doctor fully took my weight into consideration when prescribing after I stopped breast feeding my 3rd child a year ago... (which I think is relevant maybe, though I really don't know what I am talking about - I am about 16 stone).
I have missed 2 "periods" (I know they are not true periods - pill free bleeds), but I am fairly sure I am not pregnant (not missed any pills or had any relevant illness or medication). Between scheduled pill free breaks I had one non scheduled bleed - lighter than a period but a lot more than an implantation bleed (I've never had an implantation bleed in 3 pregnancies, but I bled lightly for 5 days on about days 14-18, normal darkish blood).
I have been very angry for a good year - I only mention this as reading is suggesting it might be the menopause - I had assumed it was post natal and post stopping breast feeding, and most recently when is has peaked again (it was very bad a year ago, when I stopped breast feeding my youngest at 13 months old) for the last few months I have connected it to post-rescue dog adoption stress :o seriously I never knew taking on a rescue dog in a house full of small kids would tip me over the edge :o how stupid am I? :o
But in all seriousness I am wondering whether what is actually going on is the menopause. I really don't mind if it i, but I live abroad, and don't have a vey sympathetic gynaecologist (where I live the GP system is not really in operation and you self refer - love our GP but he's colds and flu and odd looking freckles, not "women's stuff" - myob/ gyne (who I had to go thorugh for my last 2 pregnancies and for smears) makes me feel like an animal at the vet, and doesn't explain anything, and is the only option unless I call in the troops, send the kids to MIL (which means 4 hours driving and a school holiday apt) and travel into "the city". I really don't want to have to tell my MIL I have gyne concerns... Helpful in a pinch though she is, we aren't that close on a personal level!
I really hope this makes sense and there are people on here who can advise me? menopause? What do you think? What should I do/ not do// look out for to be sure?
Thank you!!