If I'm 53 and my last period was Feb 2019..

[EinsteinaGogo]

Have I been through the menopause?

Other than having memory loss for names, actors, TV shows etc that I previously would have been on the ball with, I don't have any other symptoms.

Is that it? Am i done with it? If I feel well, do I need to do anything ?

Apologies for being so dense...

Sounds like you are done. About 25% of people sail through.

@midgebabe

Sounds like you are done. About 25% of people sail through.

Well that would be amazing.

Thank you for responding.

I had a very early menopause (all over by 42) and I'm sure I remember reading that you're post-menopausal if it's one year since your last period if over 50, and two years if under 50.

I was wondering that. I am 53 and still having periods but now only every other month so I'm guessing I'm starting to go through the menopause. No other symptoms apart from memory not as good but I put that down to age!

Sounds like you are out the other side @EinsteinaGogo. Lucky you!

Yes. You have had more than 12 months without a period. that is the definition of post menopause.

If though in the months or years to come you find all kinds of niggly issues- painful joints, weak bladder, sore vagina, painful sex, etc etc assume it's loss of estrogen and get help!

Thank you all.

I will definitely consider myself lucky.

I suppose if I was looking for other symptoms, then lack of sex drive would be one of them. Is that something that could be helped?

How can they tell if a person is in or has finished menopause if they have had a partial hysterectomy? ie left the ovaries in but womb removed? Is it just dictated by an age thing ?

I suppose if I was looking for other symptoms, then lack of sex drive would be one of them. Is that something that could be helped?

yes and yes.

Read up about testosterone for women /libido.

It's now part of HRT (by enlightened consultants ,. not GPs) and you'd need to see a private menopause consultant for it but ordinary HRT without testosterone is a start.

@lookatmememe Your ovaries will pack up at some point and you are likely to have menopausal symptoms.

@JinglingHellsBells

I suppose if I was looking for other symptoms, then lack of sex drive would be one of them. Is that something that could be helped?

yes and yes.

Read up about testosterone for women /libido.

It's now part of HRT (by enlightened consultants ,. not GPs) and you'd need to see a private menopause consultant for it but ordinary HRT without testosterone is a start.

Thank you very much. I haven't actually put two and two together before.

I will see if I can speak to my GP to see if I can get a referral. I do, very luckily, have private health insurance that I might be able to draw on.

@EinsteinaGogo Private medical insurance doesn't cover menopause unfortunately as it's classed as 'chronic/ ongoing' and also 'natural'.
(I've had private cover for years). It will cover you for symptoms that are diagnosed as menopause, (for example heavy periods which can be caused by all kinds of things) but not for ongoing treatment once the diagnosis is menopause.

In my case, I was covered for an initial consultation for something (which could possibly have had hormonal links) but once I needed ongoing consultations I paid for them myself.

To be honest if you aren't covered and can afford the initial fee of £250-£300 it's worth it .