Still Perimenopause or Menopause?

[Jayne35]

Hi. I was told I was perimenopausal about 4-5 years ago when I couldn't fall pregnant. Since then I have had periods occasionally or regularly for a few months at a time, and hot flushes on and off. Currently I have not had a period since about January and the hot flushes have returned with a vengeance, along with sleepness nights, though I quit smoking 5 months ago and sleeplessness is caused by that too.

I am also quite emotional at times, whether it's anger or tears so mood swings too. How long does this last (an average)? as it's already been so long and has anyone taken herbal tablets which have worked?

Anyone tried herbal remedies?

I was reading about this the other day. Menopause is generally considered to have occurred 1 year after the last period if you are over 50 and 2 years after the last period if you are under 50. You don't say how old you are, but either way, I don't think you are quite there yet.

You have my sympathies as I am right there with you (last period 6 months ago, but I am under 50 (just!) so I can't make any assumptions yet. I did have a blood test done in January though which showed I had post menopausal hormone levels so I am hoping the period in April was a last huzzah.

I am not sure if it helps at all, but I am so fed up with my physical symptoms (endless headaches and fatigue) that I am currently trying vitamin B6. I have only taken it for a few months though so I can't really say whether, long term, it is making a difference. One to try though maybe?

As for how long it lasts, I have had irregular cycles, headaches, fatigue etc for at least 6 years. Hot flushes, mood swings, hair loss and weight gain for about 2.

Fun, isn't it?

yes that''s right- 12 months without a period over 50 and 2 years under 50.

There is no scientific evidence at all to back up herbal products. Some women swear they work but there is always a placebo effect of up to 40% ( with all medicines) and it's impossible really to know if any positive effects are just peri disappearing or hormones going up and down.

Have you ruled out HRT for any reason as it is the main 'cure' for everything you are experiencing.

How long it goes on- no one knows. For some women 20+ years, for others 2 and others somewhere between the 2.

I'm 39 now, was 34-35 when all this started and the blood test confirmed high hormone levels suggesting perimenopause. The flushes come and go as do the headaches and periods, the night sweats are the most annoying thing though! So oh yes Dumbledore - fun

Not keen on HRT for the (possible) side effects, also the doctors wouldn't prescribe the combined pill to me in my early 30s as I was an overweight smoker. I think the pill contains the same hormones as HRT so it would be confusing if I could get it.

Thank you for your replies

If you are only 39 and menopausal then the routine treatment is HRT- because without it you are at high risk of heart disease and osteoporosis in middle age. You do need to think seriously about this.
The risks of HRT do not apply to women your age because you are only replacing what you ought to have up to the age of 51- average age of menopause.

HRT contains a fraction of what the Pill does- no comparison.

If you are still smoking this is linked to early menopause by a few years anyway though not as early as 39.

Have a read of the Daisy Network website which is for women with a premature menopause.

Just to add- clicked too soon- if you are still overweight and smoking then you have a much higher risk of heart disease and cancers anyway. HRT has been shown in many recent studies to protect against heart disease, not actually make it worse.

If you are only 39 and menopausal then the routine treatment is HRT- because without it you are at high risk of heart disease and osteoporosis in middle age.

At what age would this not be a risk?

Oh, and what age is middle age?

premature menopause consequences

Women's risk of osteoporosis and heart disease is linked directly to the amount of oestrogen they have.

Women who are post meno have the same risk of heart disease as men because oestrogen protects women during their fertile years.

Osteoporosis - bones lose up to 5% of their density per year within 3 years of the final period- far greater decline than bone density loss before menopause.

This is from the same website- Menopause Matters and is written by a consultant gynaecologist.

"discussion about hormonal treatment is vitally important, as it is for all women with premature menopause because of the increased risk of osteoporosis; estrogen, either when produced naturally or when taken as medication, is very important in maintaining bone density and preventing bone loss. The lack of estrogen at a younger age than normal therefore increases the risk of bone loss and osteoporosis and so generally, women with POF should be advised to take HRT until the average age of the menopause, whether or not they have menopausal symptoms."

I packed up smoking in May, and I'm now tackling the weight, lost a stone in the last two months. I'm back comfortably in a size 16 and aiming to get down to a 14 at least This all started quite a few years ago though so I can't help thinking maybe I'm almost through it now. I will read more about hrt and maybe go to the doctors but I have to say I'm not keen, if only because I don't want periods back, that's the one good thing as I was so heavy each month.

I will have a look at the website you recommend pinkfrocks, thank you for the advice.

well done on all of that!

you don't have to have periods- you can have no-bleed preps if you are post meno for a year.

I am just 54 and had had no periods for ELEVEN months, having had 4 years of irregular periods., now they have come back just when I thought that was it! I have the odd hot flush and dont' sleep that well, but apart from that not feeling too bad.