Not again!! Am I having the longest peri-menopause in history?

[morningtoncrescent62]

So, I've been having lots of peri-menopausal symptoms for years. I'm mid-50s now, and it's been going on since my mid-40s. The intervals between my periods can be very long, up to about 8 months hasn't been unusual. I've just been 10 months without a period, and I thought that was it, but no, I've just started another. Is there any point at all in going to a doctor about it, or is this perfectly normal and I should just wait it out? I've googled a bit, and most sources say that peri-menopause can last up to 10 years though 4 years is average. Should I be concerned, and in any case, is there anything that can be done? I long for the day when I can throw out the sanitary protection and no longer worry about hot flushes in the middle of meetings!

It's normal. Peri is counted from very minor changes to cycles which can mean anywhere from mid 40s usually to the end of hot flushes and these sometimes carry on for 10 or 15 years after periods stop. Just to cheer you up.
Not all symptoms stop when periods stop. I had no peri symptoms but plenty after periods stopped.

Thanks, PollyPerky. So lots more years of fun to look forward to then.