Motivation for finding out if you’re peri-menopausal or menopausal

[WellTidy]

I’m 44. A friend, the same age as me, went to see her Gp a few years ago, who confirmed that she was peri-menopausal. She has now returned to see the GO again, who has confirmed that she is in full blown menopause. She isn’t going to take HRT due to family history of breast cancer, so will seem out more natural treatments.

I didn’t like to ask, but what might the reasons be to find out if you’re peri- or full menopausal, if you’re not seeking medication from a GP please? Is it just helpful to know, or is there more to it?

I don’t think that I am nearing menopause, but I would like to know so that, when I am, I feel more prepared.

Or might it be to rule other things out?

If you don't think you are nearing menopause, you probably aren't - from what I hear you would have be having symptoms that you would notice. But I guess everyone is different. Your friend might have been having tests to see if she was still fertile when she was 44, or could have been ruling out other things as you say. Why don't you just ask her why she found out? You obviously have a close enough relationship to do so if you are having such discussions..

I think it's as you identified above, to rule other things out. Perimenopause can cause a wide range of symptoms, from the familiar ones such as night sweats and mood swings, to less well known things such as joint pains and memory problems. If the symptoms are found to be due to menopause/peri, then some helpful lifestyle advice can be given, even if the patient doesn't want HRT.

Having said that, I don't think GPs often suggest a diagnostic blood test now, as hormone levels fluctuate so much that blood tests aren't very reliable.

Thank you. I didn’t like to ask as other people were there and I didn’t want to put her in the position of giving more personal information.

Her reasons for finding out wouldn’t be fertility related but yes, I think it might well be to rule out what could be causing symptoms. Thanks.