Menopause - what actually happens??

[hopelessbusiness]

I'm nearly 51, been regular as clockwork for ever. Currently on utrogestan and oestrogel for peri symptoms, however this month, no period yet. Is this it? I always envisaged a 'slowing down' rather than a sudden stop, or changes to heaviness or mid cycle spotting or... something!
Anybody able to advise?

Apparently this...

@easterbunnygettingready I have recently got 2 guinea pigs, so that's 8 paws...does that count??

I am preparing in advance. I am 49 and 4 ddogs and 2 dcats!!
Dsnake doesn't count sadly..
Still very regular cycle and no symptoms of change..

I’m nearly 51 too and for a couple of years my periods starting getting closer together and heavier. Last summer they stopped for 3 months and I really thought (hoped) that was it. But they started back up again, same pattern as before and no signs of stopping at the moment!

My cycle was regular, and just stopped. I was 56 though...

The rules are there are no rules! You might be in a ‘blip’ OP, or this may be it, it’s highly individual. Welcome to a highly revealing time!

It's different for everyone. My periods went lighter and shorter, my friend's were heavier and longer. I went from being regular as clockwork to missing 2 periods in a row then picking up back to clockwork. 10 months without a period at all, then 3 months all on time. Now 8 months without... so this could be it...? Just have to go with it.

@hopelessbusiness

I'm nearly 51, been regular as clockwork for ever. Currently on utrogestan and oestrogel for peri symptoms, however this month, no period yet. Is this it? I always envisaged a 'slowing down' rather than a sudden stop, or changes to heaviness or mid cycle spotting or... something! Anybody able to advise?

@hopelessbusiness what dose of hrt are you using?

The thing is, once you start hrt, it does change your cycles.

with the type you are using, you might get a withdrawal bleed every 4th week (just like the Pill.) But if you are using a low dose of gel you might not.

Assume you are taking Utrogestan 200mgs x 12 days per cycle (and not 100mg daily)?

It's different for everyone. Mine became unbearable, now controlled by coil+oestradiol.

There will be no dogs involved for me because I can't stand them.

Mine got very heavy and I had to have endometrial ablation in my 40s. Then they were lighter and irregular, then I went months without one, then had one, then months, then one or two, etc., then nothing. I was 53 when they stopped altogether. Don't miss 'em a bit. Have always had dogs and sometimes cats.

I'm still waiting to find out.
I'm 56 and still regular as clock work with my periods.
Nothing has changed yet except my weight. However i suspect lockdown, no gym, no circuit training and biscuits and cake have something to do with that!!