Can it be menopause if you're still having periods?

[ChampagneTastes]

My periods over the last couple of months have been regular (although shorter) but I am having a number of symptoms that seem menopausal. A little while ago I was told I had a higher than average level of what ever hormone it is that increases during the menopause. The level was not enough to be menopausal at that time.

I am having hot flushes, night sweats, bloating, sickness similar to morning sickness and joint pains. Could this be the menopause or am I just generally broken? I'm 37, I'm not really ready for this.

I think you'd find it helpful to read a site like www.menopausematters.co.uk and thedaisynetwork.org

Peri menopause is the time leading up to menopause (no periods.) It can last for 10 years. At your age though you'd be considered to be having a premature menopause if your periods stop or become very irregular before 40. This requires medical intervention (hormones.)

Read the sites above. You ought to have 2 blood tests, 2 months apart, on days 2-5 of your cycles. Even then it's not that accurate.

I don't know what you mean by 'broken'.! You've got something going on and you need a diagnosis.

I agree with Polly, it sounds like you could be in peri menopause. As you are under 45, it would be classed as premature menopause and treated with HRT. Your symptoms may have some other (possibly hormonal) cause, but that would also need to be treated.

IIWY I would go and see the GP about it. Whatever the cause, there should be something they can do.

Thanks for the links. I've had a look. I will book myself in with the gp (or at least try to). I'm going to cling to the hope that I'm wrong for now.

I was still having regular periods but like you, had all the other symptoms. Bloods showed much higher hormone and GP advised I was well through the menopause. I was put straight on to hrt as I was 43. I've since read up and realised I must have been peri menopausal not completely through it as the GP had suggested. Anyway, I still had a period with the type of hrt I was on but a couple of months ago I asked to be switched to non-bleed hrt. GP said as it's been at least 3 years since onset (he actually said one year would be fine) it was ok to try this type of hrt as I was more than likely through it now.

Depending on your age and what you want to do, visit your GP. If you are under 50 it's definitely recommended you go on hrt due to health benefits.