122 days since last period - is this it?

[GlassOfProsecco]

I've just turned 48 (in April) & my last period was in February.

Last year, I had a 75ish day cycle; prior to that they were closer together.

So I'm wondering if this is if?

Should I be thinking of HRT?

Am I right in thinking that if you are under 50, the HRT prescribed will gone you monthly bleeds? I really can't face the thought of more periods.

But equally of osteoporosis later in life. My sister now has osteomalacia following her menopause at 45/6.

And my BMI has crept up to 30.3 in lockdown - I understand there are risks in HRT if you're heavier.

Any words of wisdom?

You have to go at least 365 days ( 1 year) before you can start to think you are post menopause. If you are roughly 4 months without a period, that's quite early days to assume it's all over :)
Periods can come and go with ever-increasing (and decreasing) gaps for years. Some women go for 11 months with none then get a run of normal monthly cycles again.

Age has nothing to do with the type of HRt. It depends on how long it is since your last natural cycle. After no period for 12 months you could consider a no-bleed type, but it comes with a very slightly higher risk of breast cancer compared to the sort that gives a monthly bleed.

Weight is the main risk for breast cancer in women who are post menopause. If you add HRT into this and / or drinking more than 2 units a day, it increases the risk further.

You should try very hard to get your weight to under 25 BMI regardless of any HRT or not.

osteomalacia is not osteoporosis- it's a different disease. what did your sister have?

If your periods stop completely before 50-ish it's recommended that HRT is used to age 50-51 but at 48 you don't come into that range, unless they do stop soon.

Most GPs won't give you HRT to prevent osteoporosis at 48, unless there is a strong family history OR you have other quality of life reasons to try using hrt.

Basically, wait and see! It's much too soon to assume periods are over.

Thanks so much for your detailed reply; it's much appreciated.

I really was hoping this is it!

My sister just suddenly stopped at 45/6 (seems to be the pattern in our family).

I thought osteomalacia was a pre-cursor to osteoporosis?

The weight is being tackled; I'm at my heaviest ever & uncomfortable. Have lost 2lb this week & run/cycle/walk daily.

I thought I would try hrt when 53 but still given one that made me bleed and I put on 1 lb each week I took it so had to come off it.

@GlassOfProsecco I think you are possibly confusing osteomalacia and osteopenia?

Osteomalacia is a calcium/Vitamin D deficiency disease which causes rickets and softening of the bones. It's different to osteoporosis which causes brittle bones (through loss of bone density.)

Osteopenia is the first stage before osteoporosis and can sometimes never progress, but of course it can.

I had osteopenia in my late 40s, bordering on osteoporosis, but have almost reversed it with HRT, diet and exercise.