Menopause at 43.

[Winniethepooer]

I was told today I am in the menopause by my GP.
Totally shocked as I put my absent periods down to PCOS & an underactive thyroid.
The last time I had a normal period was about a year ago. 2 light bleeds since March.

She offered me HRT.
I know nothing about it.

I feel awful. My body aches. My moods are scary but will HRT help?

Will I bleed regularly again if I start HRT?

Where's a good source of information?
I'm feeling rather overwhelmed & sad that I will never have any more dc.

I'm 42...

Bump...

information here menopausematters.co.uk/

also have a look at the other threads on this board for good info.

sorry that you're feeling overwhelmed by it

hope the HRT helps

The HRT will help with the moods and aches and more importantly protect you against osteoporosis, there is a menopause board on here which may give you more help.

HRT will help and I think the advice is you should be on it for early menopause.

Go to the website of the Daisy Network. Charity for women with early menopause.

Will i have 'periods' again if I use HRT ( like as when I used the Pill).
Will I have to attend the Drs on a regular basis?

I feel cheated almost. Instinctively I feel like ignoring this...

Thankyou for the response. I'm feeling very much on my own.

Younger women like you usually take sequential HRT which does give a monthly cycle. Further down the line you could take continuous which won't give a 'period'.

You need to see a specialist really, unless your GP is up to speed. Thankfully she's right to offer your HRT. Some women your age use the CCP - Qlaira (sp?) as it's very similar to HRT but has more hormones.

You'd only need an annual or 6-monthly review for HRT- nothing too stressful!

The Daisy Network has a forum but you have to pay to join the charity. If you are on Twitter they are, and you can see tweets about what they are up to as well as local meetings.

Try not to get too low about it. Meno can be from 45- 55 so although you are on the younger side, and must use HRT or another form of hormones, it's not super-low, if that makes sense.

I m in the same boat! Menopause and I m only 42! Shock! Just try to find a good informed doc to put you on hrt that is correct for you. I diagnosed 3 months ago and I cannot handle it! I m sad and disappointed too!

Thanks so much.

Someone explain why already I'm finding loads of anti HRT stuff.

Is one blood test sufficient to go on HRT?

My only sympton was lack of periods. Do i really need HRT? I don't want 'pretend' periods! At least real ones had a purpose.

My other symptons are the same as hypothyroidism.

How will i know if the GP has a good knowledge of HRT?

I looked at tbe website for the Daisy network but couldn't see any information as i would need to subscribe.

We are too young for menopause and we need hrt for our bones and our heart cause estrogen deficiency causes a lot of health problems later. We have to take hrt until the normal age of menopause. A blood test shows if your FSH is above 30, that's a sign for menopause. The anti hrt stuff is about older women and not about women in our age. I'm on hrt with periods that helps to have estrogen for my body and progesterone for my womb. It s good that your gyn offers you hrt, that's a sign that he is informed. My first gyn left me without any help, any concern at all. He just said that l m too young for menopause. An other site is early menopause.com and lotus network com. I feel that my life has changed after diagnosis, I m child free and in tears all the time...💐

Emerald Thankyou for replying.
I know I'm lucky to have dc. Yet i feel cheated too.

Are ypu in the UK? I ask because you mention a Gyn. I have only seen a GP. She didn't tell me what my FSH was.

Take care & thanks again.

I'm from Greece and I find gyns who works privately. I spent the last months asking and reading about early menopause, hrt and the possible risks. I' m on 2mg estradiol and 0,5 norgestel ( cyclacur) and I find it ok. It's very important to have a trustworthy and caring doc! Take care too! 🐾

I looked at tbe website for the Daisy network but couldn't see any information as i would need to subscribe

Winnie No, that's not true. You need to subscribe to join their forum but not to access information.

The menu bar across the top- you should see a tab for 'what is POI, diagnosis and treatment'.

www.daisynetwork.org.uk/about-poi/what-is-poi/

The site refers to POI which is premature menopause under age 40 but the treatments and diagnosis still applies (the same) to women under 45 .

Dig around on the site and there is info there.

Winnie see also the website Menopause Matters.

First tab on left- Menopause- scroll down links for info on premature menopause and treatments etc,

menopausematters.co.uk/pm-definition.php

menopausematters.co.uk/pm-management.php

Thanks PollyPerky i appreciatre the information.

I am 43 and recently diagnosed with menopause too. I have had my first 3 Months on HRT (this was continuous which I don’t think is right for me) and waiting for referrals to local menopause clinic for better advice and options. I want to make sure I am getting the right meds’ if I have to be on it until early 50’s.
I too feel it is all a bit overwhelming and I have got myself in a bit of state googling. I am trying to step back and wait to see someone in the know.