Wait it out? Or see GP?

[Twix42]

I haven't had a period for 63 days.
Normally regular as clockwork (with in 2/3 days)
Not pregnant, did several tests just in case, also had a Tubal ligation.
I'm 44
Feel OK, no flushes, but of stupid brain fog though.
What would the GP do?
Am I to young??
Help please!! Urghhh
Wait it out or make GP appt....
Tell me your thoughts...
Thank you in advance 😊

Have you had a Covid vaccine in that time?

Yes! And my normal flu jag..

Think Covid vaccine has messed up the cycle of many women tbh

I found it hard to see a GP when wanting to discuss menopause. However, did have a phone consultation, blood tests at the surgery [ruling other stuff out] and then email exchanges with the GP which resulted in hrt 3 month trial which I am still on.
Covid still making our surgery very off putting for physical appointments.
At 44 I would set ball rolling in case any blood tests needed etc.
I am a decade older than you so hrt more of an obvious call.
I did have to push a bit though...

Thanks DinkyDaisy. The more I think about it the more perimenopause symptoms I have. Gp also difficult to get appt. Urgh
Thanks for commenting 😊

At this early stage if your symptoms are manageable, and GP appt is hard to get, I would start with some natural remedies and dietary changes which can help - there is loads on the internet.

Check the NICE guidelines, I'm sure once you hit 45 they don't do blood tests they just treat on presentation of symptoms. Book an appointment for your birthday

If you hit menopause early , like you may have ,you must see your doctor

Managing naturally isn't recommended, as the risk to your bones and heart is substantially raised

Aside from the missed period ... which could very likely be Covid jab - mine skipped a month altogether and second month was very short and very light and I'm on HRT ... what else are you experiencing?

The brain fog was what prompted me to speak to my GP, and I was 43. I was forgetting words in the middle of sentences. But I also had trouble sleeping due to night sweats, vaginal atrophy, anxiety and short, heavy cycles. No blood tests, GP said it sounded like perimenopause, would recommend HRT due to impact on bones, but told me to research the risks and benefits first with some links. She's been bloody brilliant. I was on patches but whilst I loved forgetting about them, the dose wasn't quite right for me so now I'm on estrogen gel and utrogestan tablets.

I started the change at 47 and was treated for anxiety for years until I demanded a hormone test.
I had HRT patches for about 5 years

See your GP ASAP OP.

The blood tests I had were for thyroid b12, folic acid levels, etc, etc.
When they were OK talked about hrt.
I left it too long and did have to ask rather than hrt suggested by the gp.
Brain fog and spiralling anxiety pushed me to hrt.

"Menopause Matters" website is really good and what my GP told me to go away and read.

I am 44 and have recently spoken with GP RE: HRT. I am having bloods done just to rule out other things (night sweats for example can be a symptom of lymphoma) then she will discuss HRT.

I am so so devoid of feeling, I feel low, anxious, very irritable. Periods frequent still. Please see your GP as we should not have to suffer with these symptoms.

Thanks all for your thoughts and input!
I forget words all the time, forget what I want to say, can't find the world in my brain, v frustrating!
I have weird anxiety, where I get panicky, horrible pit of stomach anxiety about nothing, no real "reason" to be stressy. Rest of life is Ok, just now!
A bit of vag dryness (but it's not awful all the time, )
Libido is up and down (more down than up)
I'm not having sweats, I've always been a warm person, with warm hands etc, definitely no sweats, apart from v. V occasionally after a bad dream, a bit warm maybe if wearing too much. But not a "hot sweat" like I'd expect!.
Periods were heavy the last year, usually only 22 - 24 days, but max 26-28. 2 periods in October but nothing since. Not even a spot.
I don't go to GP very often at all!
I'm not 45 until later summer 2022..🙄

I found sending an email, listing my symptoms to my GP, got things moving.
Brain fog and spiralling anxiety is what tipped me over the edge.

I found my symptoms bobbed along gently for a long time, and then suddenly accelerated in the spring. I wish I'd addressed it earlier but I attributed it all to pandemic stress. Having said that, now I'm on HRT there are no lasting physical hangovers from that period IYSWIM.

I turned 40 in Aug and haven’t had a period since.

Things that might be relevant are that since then I’ve also had an immensely painful injury and strong painkillers, not eaten even half of what I usually do, given up gluten and had my covid vaccination.

For the last 5 years I’ve been through waves of awful anxiety, fatigue and really worrying brain fog. All of that seems to have left with the periods! Although I’m worried about early menopause, I feel so much better.

I’m going to get my hormones checked as soon as the gp can fit me in but I did have a panel of hormone and thyroid checks in the height of the symptoms above a couple of years ago and apparently all was fine for my age so peri was ruled out.

@Twix42 You are only months away from 45 and you really don't need blood tests if you have al signs of peri.

NICE guidance is that blood tests are a waste of time as they are unreliable. Ok, if a women is under 40 or even in her 30s, they need to be checked but at your age your symptoms are enough.

The reason to see your GP is if you want hrt.

One late period is just the start but you also have other symptoms.

I'd spend time reading around Menopause Matters website or that of Dr Louise Newson and decide what route you want to go down.

@MaggieCassidy Seriosuly you are 45 and have not had a period for 5 years? Medically, that is a premature menopause ( periods stop by 40 or under.)

Please see your GP and ask for a DEXA bone scan. Loss of estrogen 10 years before the average menopause (51) puts you at a high risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.

It's worrying how this message doesn't reach women who need to know to prevent ill health in 10+ years time.

Sorry @MaggieCassidy! You haven't had a period for 5 months but have had peri symptoms for years.

Blood tests can be unreliable and they must be done at the right times.

A meno specialist would do them on days 2-5 of a cycle, and repeat the next month.

Any other timing in peri won't give accurate readings.

@JinglingHellsBells No, I turned 40 in Aug and my periods just stopped then. I’ve felt I had peri symptoms for the last 5 years but gp did blood tests and said it wasn’t that.

I too feel menopause should be talked about and explained much more than it has been. We’ve always just been expected to put up with so many shocking truths about periods, sex, marriage, pregnancy and menopause.

@JinglingHellsBells
Sorry, cross post!

Yes the gp never asked to do the test on a specific day of my cycle. I’m definitely going as soon as they open and will read through the menopause website above too.

Although I do feel better in myself now, I do feel a bit cheated and unprepared that it may have already hit me after obvious warning signs that were batted away by the dr.

Thanks all for the comments.
I just feel really unprepared.
No one to talk to about this.
Thanks

@Twix42 obvs I'm not a GP, but that does sound like peri. I was expecting my periods to get lighter and further apart, but they got closer together and heavier so hadn't thought it was peri but the GP said either can happen. Second (or third?) Louise Newson and her website, that was what my GP told me to read.

Have a look, decide if HRT is for you, then go to your GP and ask/insist. I'm so grateful to my GP when I read some of the stories on here about women getting fobbed off.

Thanks! It's the fobbing off that is worrying me @WhatsitWiggle

I am the type who doesn't stand up for herself etc etc.
Would much rather in person appointment rather than a tel call 🙄
Im just worried that maybe there is something else going on... Thyroid etc??