What to expect/timeline

[HRTorNot]

I've been reading up but have a question.

People say "I'm in menopause now I've got symptoms", and they talk about the symptoms going on for years, but is that perimenopause?

Because NHS etc say if you are 12 months period free you are in post menopause, so does that mean your symptoms should be ending around that point?

Just to update, I read something last night that says once in post menopause, symptoms should tail off and not get worse/increase.

Who wrote that?

Many women only start having symptoms post-menopause.
It varies a lot!

There are some women in their 80s who are on HRT as their symptoms are there without it.

Other women get by after a few years and don't have hot flushes etc any more.

You will only know what YOU feel once you are there.

I can't find the link because I closed the page and I've got history logging turned off.

I'm 4 months off 12m period free so was hoping this was it 😂

Oh dear @HRTorNot 🙂

My symptoms didn't start till pretty much post meno. My Mum was still having flushes and sweats in her 80s. My consultant tells me some women have them for life.

In peri, the symptoms are caused by fluctuating hormone levels.

Post menopause they are caused by the permanent loss of estrogen.

And don't forget that loss of estrogen increases the risks of heart disease and osteoporosis (women's risk of CVD rises to the same as men's, post meno. And up to 5-10% of bone is lost per year for a few years post meno.)

The symptoms you can feel are only part of it.

Sorry, I meant I haven't had any symptoms so was really hoping I had none coming

The gp has given me a prescription for activelle.

No, symptoms don't stop after you reach menopause. I went on HRT having been period free for over 4 years due to symptoms being unbearable.

it goes on and on sadly.

Oh, I see, you have had no symptoms? I have friend who have had no symptoms at all so far, both 5 years period free. How I envy them!

Do most women suffer, or are most like me? I had 2 hot flushes and gradual cessation of periods.

I had very few symptoms too - I'm almost 70 now - went through it in my late 50's. Night sweats sometimes but that was all, no HRT or need to consult a Dr. A friend, OTOH, had a horrific time of it though - it really impacted her life.

I counted myself very lucky as my mother had to have a hysterectomy due to severe flooding and I was all prepared for problems that never came.

No, just loss of libido, a bit of dryness and some brain fog/not being able to retain information without writing it down/silly mistakes due to concentration.