Menopause at 41 - what now?

[blondegirl73]

Hi all

I've just found out I'm in menopause at the ripe old age of 41. My FSH was 61 and I've not had a period since February.

My GP was not very helpful. He said it was up to me what to do next and offered no advice. He said to do some reading.

So I have done some reading. And it seems HRT is advised, especially as I have family history of heart disease.

I'm wondering though what to do next. I'm quite upset to be menopausal but also relieved that that the grumpy, raging mess I currently am, might be due to something and not just the real me!

So what to do? Go back to the GP? He's not very interested so I wondered if I can be referred somewhere (gynaecologist?) for more (better) advice?

sorry you've had this news.
Can you change your GP? I'm afraid his non-advice is verging on negligence because with a menopause 10 years before the average age (51-52) he ought not to have hesitated to prescribe HRT. It's essential for your long-term health, just as if you needed insulin or thyroxine for a condition.

Please have a browse of the Daisy Network site which is for women with a prem menopause. Also read info on the websites of the British Menopause Society and Menopause Matters.

Your options can include referral to a gynae through your GP (IF they are willing and they may not be- you might have to push) though not all are experts in menopause - and depending where you live , you might be able to access a menopause clinic (NHS) or a private gynae who has an interest in menopause. The Menopause Matters site has a list of menopause clinics and some specialists though it's not inclusive of all.

You can also ask for recommendations of gynaes from other women.

hope this helps.

Me too, menopause started at 41. Went to the GP at 42. First GP said it was depression (I have a history of PND.) I disagreed and got a 2nd opinion, had several months of blood tests and scans, then started HRT + Mirena.

Turned my bloody life around. Thank you, scientists who made this treatment!

My (lovely) GP also asked me to decide for myself what I wanted to do re treatment, but was strongly in favour of HRT in order to protect my bones. That's the main reason to take HRT. The secondary reason is to help you cope with the symptoms - that is personal and up to you. I could not cope.

It's vitally important to protect bones! We can lose up to 5% of our bone density each year immediately after the menopause (then it slows down a bit to around 1-2% a year) so anyone with an early meno could end up with very fragile bones by their 50s. HRT is licensed as prevention for young women for this reason.

I'm 41 too and started HRT 2 months ago and would definitely recommend it.