Am 44 and haven't had a period since February (and I am not pregnant) - should i go to the doctors?

[Theromanempire]

My periods have been erratic for a couple of years now and a 70 day cycle was not unusual. Around the same time, I had a couple of horrific periods and then they changed to being really light and barely noticeable and they have been like that ever since.

About 18 months ago, I did go to the doctor as I had gone 3 months without a period and he did blood tests which showed everything was normal and my hormones weren't showing as menopausal at all. He said to go back if my period didn't return - it did so I didn't go back.

I have now not had a period in almost 4 months - no other obvious symptoms (other than brain fog and memory loss - occasional hot flushes but I am always hot anyway so difficult to class them as hot flushes).

Not sure if this is perimenopause and it is normal in that phase for periods to disappear for months on end? Should I be more concerned about it? If it is the menopause, do I need some form of HRT as I am only 44?

I would book a GP appointment & give them the background info.

Hopefully they will have the answers.

Yeah, I think that you need to check your FSH and if you have an early meno you absolutely need treatment.
You are too young to leave your body without the benefits of estrogen. So my opinion is to ask for help and not to leave yourself to suffer.

It is very normal for periods to disappear for months on end before menopause. I think anything and everything is 'normal' during perimenopause! I don't think you need to be concerned - if you were 45 your doctor wouldn't even do blood tests and would just tell you you're perimenopausal because of symptoms. 'Early menopause' describes those under 45 so you're at that inbetween age.

You may well not 'suffer' so don't worry about that!

Many specialists are now considering 47 as the 'youngest' age for a normal menopause. I know that 45 is often quoted as the age when a woman can be post menopause (range is always 45-55) but on Menopause Matters, consultant Dr Currie says that in the Western world, before 47 is considered 'early'.

It kind of depends what happens next. If your periods stop before 47, you are advised to think about HRT. The average age for meno in the UK is 52. If you are without estrogen for say 5 years before the average you will have a slightly higher risk of low bone density and perhaps heart disease.

A friend of mine had a fracture at in her mid 50s and her GP did tell her that her menopause at 47 was perhaps a contributory factor so she is having her bone density monitored.