How far into menopause does this sound to you?

[farmmeno]

Obviously I’m not classed as post menopause as not 12 months since last period.

These are my symptoms-

Some shorter cycles (18 to 23 days) started 6 years ago becoming more frequent over time.

Three years ago I started to get the odd long cycle then a few more of these.

For the last 12 months my cycle has been mostly 40 plus days, up to 58 days.

My last period a month ago was just 3 days of light spotting.

I have had sleep issues for 3 years.

The last 6 months issues with mood swings, low moods on and off and anxiety all out of character.

I haven’t broached HRT issue with my GP but am planning to soon. I’m just trying to get a sense of where in the scheme of menopause I’m likely to be? And does this sound far from the end?

Thanks for any advice.

It's really hard to tell--I thought I'd reached menopause but then had a period at 11 months. But there's no reason to delay asking for HRT. If you're still having periods they will give you cyclical HRT. It should help with the anxiety and sleep. I wouldn't delay. I waited for about 19 months after my last period, having listened to too many out-of-date scare stories about HRT.

Thanks @Abra1d1 for the reply. I know it’s hard to pin down. I think I’m struggling to accept that I’m menopausal at all as still in early 40s. I’m going to discuss HRT as it’s definitely having an impact.

Stick it all in the balance app so you've got symptoms all logged in one place and also bring the NICE guidelines in case the GP isn't familiar with them.
It sounds pretty far along to me, but everyone goes on a different pace

Thanks @SuperLoudPoppingAction I haven’t heard of that app so will look into it.

Really good advice from @SuperLoudPoppingAction (ie I was about to say the same thing...)

Ask for HRT right away. It's a shame you didn't years ago.

Ask your GP for a referral to a menopause specialist/ gynae.

You need a full hormone MOT!

Having these symptoms from your mid-late 30s is not normal and verging on premature/ early menopause.

Early menopause is no periods after 45.

You need a bone scan to check your bone density as irregular cycles so young can lead to osteoporosis.

Don't just struggle on and don't leave it without having a full health review.

Early menopause is no periods after 45.

I meant before 45!

Thanks. I have an appointment scheduled with a GP I know is clued in about menopause so will see what they say.

I’m 44, symptoms have been developing over the years and it probably took about 3 years for me to realise this is maybe related to perimenopause, it just wasn’t on my radar. None of my friends my age are even having irregular cycles. I’ve been ambivalent about the idea of HRT but realise now I need to do something.

I started taking HRT as soon as i had symptoms, long before my last period which was years later. The whole thing took around 10 years before I was through it and I still take HRT.

Hrt has made such a difference to my sleep and anxiety levels. I'm 40 and I've been on it for about 6 months.

That’s good to hear. I have good days and days when I’m struggling to function so if it works it would make a big difference for me.

@farmmeno HRT is medically advised for women with early menopause, as it's classed as a high risk factor for heart disease and bone loss (and possibly dementia.)

Thanks @JinglingHellsBells I have read that but what I’m confused about is whether I would actually be classed as early? As I’m still having periods albeit less often and in an erratic cycle. Presumably this could drag on even for years so I’m not sure if that makes me early or not. I wish there was a way to quantify it.

The way people quantify it is by taking bloods. They should do this twice. I read on here it's good to make an appt early in the morning but I am not sure of the truth of that- I gave it a go anyway.
My bloods showed my hormone levels fluctuated in line with someone in perimenopause.

It depends, is the answer!

If you have had irregular cycles since your late 30s, you may not have been ovulating very often. This means you may have had low estrogen for years. It's the same as when female athletes or women with eating disorders/ low weight find their periods stop or are irregular - they are more at risk of osteoporosis.

Most women don't start peri until their mid-late 40s, and the average age of menopause (final period) is 51.

Using HRT before age 51 doesn't carry any risks. You are just topping up your level of hormones to what ought to be there, to age 51-52.

There isn't a huge benefit to blood tests in peri but if you do have them, they have to be on days 2-5 of your cycle, and over 2 months (not just a single random test.)

Thanks that’s really informative and a great explanation.