How do I know if it is menopause?

[Sally872]

I am 38 so not quite at the average age for menopause. I have been experiencing heat in my face. Not every day but regularly. People have commented so I do look red and I can feel the heat. Only my face and no sweat.

Is this a hot flush? I have been googling menopause and now occurs to me my period is lighter than usual and has been for a few months.

It is a mild inconvenience at this point, so do I need to confirm it is menopause? I can't see any reason to see GP but I am curious to know if that is what it is. I don't even know if the GP could say or not anyway.

Is this what perimenopause can feel like? Is there anything I can/should be doing?

Gp can do a blood test

Thanks, that is really useful to know.

Yep agree with other poster get a blood test.

Thanks both. I am a bit concerned that asking for a blood test when symptoms aren't too bad will be wasting GP's time. Is it important that I know? I feel like I want to know but not sure that will be a good enough reason.

I was lead to believe that blood tests won’t show or prove meno as your hormones can fluctuate hourly, it’s often based on symptoms... try the Greene scale, there may be things you weren’t aware of that are meno related

Thanks @pinkrabbits39 will have a look at Greene scale now.

No probs and if it is, then it’s good to know and get on HRT (if that’s what you decide) for the list of health benefits it offers... the sooner the better in terms of prevention - look up Dr Louise Newson for all the information you’ll need

Hadn't even realised there are health benefits of HRT. Will definitely do some reading, including Dr Louise Newson.

From my experience of hot flushes, it's not really just going a bit red in the face. It feel more like a prickly heat that flushes through the whole body and lasts a few minutes. You'd definitely notice that type of thing as it feels different to just getting a bit hot. That's my experience anyway others may differ. I don't sweat when it happens either.

Thanks, it is definitely just my face, really my cheeks and lasts 5 to 10 mins. I am very aware of it and it is annoying, but not uncomfortable or too difficult to deal with. Going to read up some more, track when it happens and speak to GP when I have some more information.

Could be rosacea?

If you think it might be hormone related, it's worth keeping an eye on other symptoms or changes for a few months. A period tracker app is good for this.

@pinkrabbits39 Dr Louise's YouTube videos are ideal. Very informative, thanks.

@overwintered I didn't realise rosacea comes and goes, so it could be that. I have a period tracking for tracking dates but will add these symptoms in and see if there is a pattern. Thanks.