Am I actually menopausal now?

[Inforthelonghaul]

I recently realised that I haven’t had a period for a long time, probably at least 18 months nor have I had cramps or that feeling of fullness when you’re due on. I’m in my late forties, have had a few years of varying symptoms like brain fog, anxiety, insomnia and currently hot flushes both night and day that are proving quite disruptive.

My question is have I actually gone through the menopause and this is it? Or will there be more changes to come. I’m glad that menopause is being spoken about more but it’s not an illness or a condition just a life stage that I don’t know enough about.

You would be classed as post menopause (no periods for at least 1 year.) There is bags on the web about menopause - the website of Dr Louise Newson- My Menopause Doctor (website) is good.

Sorry, to answer your other questions...

the symptoms you have now may carry on for a long time (sometimes 20-30 years!)

Some women have none of these or they last a year or 3 or 4. Other women have them for life.

You might want to explore using HRT which would probably stop them all.

Longer term the menopause increases women's risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, so it's important to start lifestyle measures- exercise and diet - to prevent these as they are linked to loss of estrogen.

You are also on the young side for menopause-average age is 51-52 and many drs would advise you to use HRT up to that age at least to help prevent those condition, as well as relieving the symptoms you have now.

Thanks Jingling I’ll have to try and speak to the GP again. Never found them particularly helpful or knowledgable about menopause when I’ve asked them before so just been ticking along by myself but don’t want to make it harder than it need be. I’m already dreading a warm summer with the hot flashes I get at night now, I’m suffering enough from broken sleep already.

Hi, I have had no periods now since last October. Before that I had light hot flushes. Before that I was totally mixed up for nearly ten years (irregular periods, light periods, heavy periods, rotten moods, crazy moods, crying). Since I stopped my periods (now 4 months - longest ever time) I was feeling calm, level headed, incredibly happy but had 20 hot flushes a day. I have been on Soya milk for a month to try and reduce hot flushes and my hot flushes have almost gone but now I am ratty, spotty chinned and emotional again. If you haven't had a period for 18 months then yes, you have had your menopause. But post menopausal symptoms can plague you for years like hot flushes. But I think yes now you have had your menopause X
My female doctor too was rubbish at helping me. She had no advice except HRT. I won't take any medication unless I am forced! Menopause is weird, mixed up and different for everyone. Embrace it as part of your life. If you don't want to take medication for hot flushes (or like me scared of Black Cohosh) then I recommend Soya Milk for a month and you might be like me and your flushes will fade. Good luck honey and don't worry about any weirdness, we are all going through the same thing but in different ways x