No periods for years due to hormonal contraception - how will I know I'm in perimenopause?

[surfergrl]

I've been on various contraception options for years to banish extremely painful and irregular periods. (Probably endo but not been diagnosed.) Currently have the implant; everything else didn't work.

I can't seem to find much info about peri- and menopause in this situation. How will I know, when I've not had a period in years?? I'm worried about coming off the implant at 50 (when it's due out) and falling off a cliff...

Does anyone have any experience of this? I don't think I'm currently peri, I'm 46 but no symptoms I can discern yet. But I want to be as healthy and prepared as possible, as I'm pretty sure it'll be a nightmare like everything else uterus-related for me! And how will doctors deal with me when I have no cycle?

Following....I'm in the exact same position! No symptoms yet. X

Except I have a coil!

I've got Mirena coil which I believe releases progesterone, but other symptoms are as a result of less oestrogen, as I understand it, so you could still find some symptoms (and they can be very ambiguous and progress slowly). My symptoms don't massively impact on my life (at the moment), but I'd rather go on HRT and get some bone and dementia protection than not.

I have a mirena coil and have had them for nearly 15 years and no periods. Am 48 and by 45 I was pretty sure I was in peri menopause - some of my symptoms were really bad night sweats, very disturbed sleep, brain fog and much increased anxiety.

i've been using oestrogen gel for the past couple of years which has helped massively. I think that being 45 when I made an appointment to discuss symptoms helped as it seems to be this age thats the magic age for being taken seriously and getting some help….

I was on the mini pill with no periods for years. Out of nowhere I started itching on my hands, feet & scalp. Then joint pain, then mood swings. I tried the herbal stuff for a year then had a coil & oestrogen patches.

I had a Mirena so no periods. I realised from symptoms - hot flushes mostly but also an increase in UTIs. Combined with my age of course.

I forgot to add in the irritable bladder & sweats. I was 44.

I'm in the same position, 53 but on cerazette until at least 55 due to Endometriosis.
I am pretty forgetful and quite angry and anxious a lot of the time, so i think i'm at least in peri. I'm more worried about the prospect of any periods rather than menopause.

The average age for menopause is 51/52 and I’m going to be 52 when my next mirena change is due ,and I’m carrying on with it for hrt purposes.you sound like you’re doing well with no symptoms at age 46 so I can’t see why they wouldn’t give you another implant at 50 that would hopefully carry you past the menopause? I know there are certain types of birth control that they don’t like older women to be on but I am presuming if you are on the progesterone only implant that it’s ok to carry on with that?

I've had Mirenas for 15 years and am 56. I did have a spell of mild anxiety in my late 40s and spells of being slightly depressed, occasional slight hot flushes, possibly a bit more forgetful than I used to be but that's been it really. HCPs always seem a bit taken aback when I have no idea when my last period was (answer = when I was about 40). I doubt I'd get HRT with such mild symptoms.

I had my coil replaced when I was 50, discussed with my GP if I might be menopausal and agreed that a new coil plus estrogen gel was the best way forward..they treat the symptoms so don't need to worry about periods....

I’m in a similar position with mini pill. Not had a period in 3 years, but raging anxiety, insomnia, and PMT. I’m either riding high and living the dream or I’m in the depths of dispair. I read when peri if on pOP or mirena (same hormone I think?) that the crashes when you hit peri are waaay worse. But, I’m only 43? Off to look for some of these supplements mentioned above!

Following with interest as I'm in a similar position. Thanks for the thread op

You may get symptoms of peri. Unfortunately there is a tonne more to it than periods becoming less frequent. I have been on the minipill for a long time, but an accumulation of (unfortunately all unpleasant) symptoms eventually made me realize I was in peri. These included weight gain; lack of energy; night sweats & hot flushes; achey bones & joints; forgetfulness; a loss of confidence; high anxiety about trivial things I previously never flinched at ( arriving for appointments on time; cooking a meal for guests; driving to unknown places). Rage as things previously calm about; feeling like withdrawing from social life; spending more time at home and dreading social occasions and even family holidays; loss of libido; loss of patience; a feeling you’d be quite content if your DH fell off a cliff!

Sorry to report all this and I hope you don’t get it all. I’m frequently reminded that ‘some women sail through the menopause’ and I hope you are one of those ones!

@Fruitbatdancer i became symptomatic at 43, anxiety was the main symptom. I rode it out for 13 months with supplements, soy isoflavones & high strength vit d. Then the itching, joint pain & bladder irritation started so I got HRT. I did utrogestan & mini pill for 10 months but found the utrogestan bloated me & with stock issues thrown in I decided to have the mirena. My sister has just started symptoms at 42 & has gone straight for HRT.