Venturing into the peri-menopausal world...

[CarribeanPizza]

Evening. I'm 41 (just) and right up until a year or so ago, in my head menopause was years away. My DM went through menopause in her early 50s; I had periods like clockwork (almost to the hour) every 4 weeks.

But literally as soon as I hit 40...boom. My periods have gone from never being a day late to only happening every 6-8 weeks. Some cycles I feel like I have PMT when it's due, but then don't bleed until 2 weeks later. And I can feel like I have PMT for those whole 2 weeks. This includes VERY sore and fairly swollen boobs (only ever had this when I was pregnant).

So I've started to get my head around the fact my body is changing sooner than I would have hoped. But as I've taken me by surprise a bit, I have a few questions. I acknowledge I am not very clued up at all about it and to be honest I'm annoyed with myself about how naive I am.

Does this sound like peri-menopause?

Is 41 early for this to happen?

Do I need to do anything (docs etc?!)? Or just ride it out as it's normal for my age?

What can I expect to happen over the next few months and years.

As I say, I'm sorry for my naivety. It's like the penny has dropped the last couple of months.

I hear you. I became peri menopausal in my very early 40's and had my final menstrual cycle when I was 43, I went through some really heavy flow months before they petered out for good. Due to some recent health issues my lovely GP did the hormone test and at 47 I am post menopausal. My doctor told me that they normally prefer not to test because apparently it's unreliable.

Because I've had a fairly early menopause I've had to have a DEXA bone density scan because of the decrease in oestrogen, but everything is fine.

If your periods are irregular or have completely stopped before you are 45 you should definitely see your GP.

I take 4000iu Vitamin D, vitamin B12 and turmeric for joint pain but other than that I don't take anything else, so no HRT.

I've been very lucky, I've had minimal hot flushes and quite an easy menopause. I did initially gain some weight but have lost it through walking and eating better. My elder sister is well into her 60's and has had an horrendous time.

I hope this helps, it's a strange feeling knowing my childbearing years are over (I have 2 DC's) especially after I spent so many years avoiding pregnancy but I'm enjoying not having to worry about periods!

All the fun of the menopause but with periods.. Been like that since 2012! I'm now 47. I take Menopace (just vitamins and minerals) otherwise the hot flushes are back with a vengeance and my moods can be scary! Popping the green tablet once a day helps tone things down. Now if I have a flush at work I just own it, it is what it is

Is 41 early for this to happen?

Yes. Depending. Now, they consider 47 the earliest age for a normal menopause (that means periods stopped altogether then.) You'll see 45 written down but I've heard drs saying 47 is still considered young.

Do I need to do anything (docs etc?!)? Or just ride it out as it's normal for my age?

Yes. If this carries -on and you have fewer and fewer periods before 45, you need to see your GP and use HRT.
This replaces the estrogen you ought to have up to around 50, and it prevents bone loss and heart disease.

Unfortunately too many women don't know this and end up with fractures at 50-odd and it's then too late to do much except take very powerful drugs.

@GisAFag Have you thought about hrt? There are no risks if it's used before the age of average meno- 51- so why suffer?

@GenXer HOpe your DEXA scans are going to be done every 3 years or so? One single scan isn't enough- bone loss will carry on so you need it monitoring for many years to come.

Thank you everyone for taking the time for such considered replies.

I will monitor the next few months (I'm keeping a log of my exact cycle length each month) and will make an appointment with my GP to discuss.

I will also look into Menopace, thank you for that recommendation.

Sounds like I have a lot of fun to loonsforward to look forward to

Longer cycles and sore breasts certainly sounds like your hormone levels are falling, or out of whack, OP.

I have been googling a lot about the causes of an earlier menopause, and while there are loads of theories, one that interests me is that vegetarians seem to have a reputation for going through it somewhat earlier than meat eaters. Is this anyone else's experience?

@jackdawdawn - that's certainly interesting - I've been veggie for the vast majority of my life!

I thought the age of menopause was down to a) your genes mainly and b) the number of eggs you had

I know it sounds odd, and I can't think what the cause might be, but there do seem to be studies that suggest it. Googling brings up loads of surveys that attest to it. Am vegetarian too, have been from the age of thirteen, and...menopausal at 47/48!