Late onset menopause

[SirChenjins]

55 and still having periods 😢 Anyone else? Should I be speaking to my GP about it?

No need to speak to GP. It's annoying, but not that unusual. My periods stopped at 56 - just have faith that it will happen!

I was also having mine until I changed to Continuous hrt and after few mths of spotting thank god have not had a period in a few mths and do not miss them one little bit as used to have awful flooding first few days. Had ablation also.

I can’t take HRT sadly, and have the same flooding which really gets me down (the whole thing gets me down actually).

I’ll try and keep the faith @BeaRF75 - but I’ve had them since I was 11 and know my risk of breast and cervical cancer is higher as a result so wondered if I needed to have more smears and mammograms perhaps?

I'm 57 and only stopped about a year ago. I also started my periods when I had only just turned 11. So early-ish starter and late finisher. Late menopause sucks. I too had lots of flooding for several years. I had fibroids, which were exacerbating the flooding.

See your GP about the flooding and to get all that checked out.

I personally don't want to take HRT because of the possibility that it could bring back the bleeding (which for me was very traumatic). I am also aware of the slightly raised breast cancer risk.

You do have my sympathy because it feels as though they are never going to end.

I finally caved at 57 (still having random periods but awful perimenopausal anxiety) and went onto continuous sequential HRT (tablet form) after a phone consultation with a menopause specialist via my GP. Plan is to do this for a year and then move to a different form of HRT. I know I have a slightly higher breast cancer risk but decided it was worth it.

Would your GP be able to refer you on to someone for specialist advice?

Two Consultants (breast and gynae) have said that they wouldn’t prescribe HRT because of the risks associated with the symptoms it caused when I was on it a few years back for about 1.5 years, so I’m kind of stuck as the GP won’t prescribe it as a result.

I take tranexamic acid which does help with the flooding, so I think it’s a case of just getting on with it in the meantime. Not interested in the Mirena. Hopefully they’ll stop in the next year or so- surely to goodness they have to stop!!

I'm 55 and still having periods. Not heavy but they still arrive every month. I'm so fed up of them now. You have my sympathy.

I was on HRT but I'm having a short break as I want to see how my natural cycle is. I was bleeding mid month the last few months of my HRT and my GP put me on the 2 week pathway which scared me.

All was fine, phew but I don't want that to happen again so now I'm in HRT limbo. I was offered the coil to stop my periods. Half of me wish I'd accepted it.

Could you just have the coil or is there a risk with that too?

Sorry, but I was 59. GP said it’s not unheard of. I had two Mirenas and was very happy with them. Got the last one removed at 60.

Mirena coil works for some people but not for others despite the medical profession touting it as the panacea to everything.

It was a disaster for me and I bled heavily for over a year on it before insisting it was removed. I'd have got rid of it far sooner if it hadn't been for the Covid lockdowns making it nearly impossible to get an appointment.

So from a personal point of view mirena and I were a bad mix.

My mother was 59!

Apparently, it’s connected with longevity (but there may be a slightly increased risk of breast cancer, so make sure you go for your scans).

https://drbrighten.com/late-menopause/.

A 65yo lady still not having gone through the ‘pause! https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10557373/

59 and 65???!

Looks like it’s not unheard of at 55 then

Two Consultants (breast and gynae) have said that they wouldn’t prescribe HRT because of the risks associated with the symptoms it caused when I was on it a few years back for about 1.5 years, so I’m kind of stuck as the GP won’t prescribe it as a result.

Are you saying that you were told no HRT because your periods started at 11 or because you have had other symptoms or risks since trying hrt a while ago?
What happened then?

@SirChenjins I'm 55 next month, not on HRT and also still getting regular periods . I started mine at 12 so totally ready for it all to go away!
I had a coil fitted in 2017 for contraception and my periods became light and regular for the first time in my life so I haven't had it out as before 2017 my periods were very heavy and irregular.

Are you having any symptoms? I'm getting joint issues and brain fog but otherwise (fingers crossed) not having any problems so don't want to go down the HRT route just yet.

58 and still going, although since I went on HRT they have become less regular, so I don't get withdrawal bleeds, just random periods. I assume I am coming to a natural end despite the HRT.

I don't want to worry you @KnittedCardi but you should talk to your dr about this.

If you are using sequential HRT then you should get a regular withdrawal bleed each month roughly 2-4 days after you finish the progesterone part of the cycle.

If you are using continuous HRT there is a high possibility of spotting for 6 months, but after that time there should be no bleeding.

At 58 you won't have natural periods (it's very very rare and almost unheard of.)

If you are using sequential, it sounds as if you are not absorbing enough progesterone.

If you're on continuous, see your GP and they should refer you for a scan or change your HRT.

Thanks. I've been on sequential for two years, and was still having regular periods up to going on HRT, and for the first 18 months or so, but they were never in sequence with the progesterone. I take the Prog on the same day every month, but my own cycle of 42ish days continued.

It's only since late last year that I started to skip those periods. I had a 90 day gap and am on for another long gap.

As I only take one pump, I would agree, that I probably need to either stop altogether, or increase. The dosage is probably not in line with my diminishing natural levels, or absorption. I need to talk to GP either way!

@KnittedCardi I feel as if I'm in a similar boat. I was bleeding in between my withdrawal bleeds but was checked out and all okay.

Re: HRT I don't know where to go from here. I refused the merino coil to stop bleeding as I wanted to be HRT free for a while to see what my natural cycle is up to.

However, it's very apparent that I do need HRT so should I ask to go on continuous progesterone along with my patches @JinglingSpringbells?

Sorry to jump in on your thread Op.

The latter.

Same - a few joint issues that I manage and brain fog, but nothing that makes me want to take HRT again.

I was nearly 57. It's not unheard of.

Like a PP the Mirena was horrible for me - I bled (like a period, not spotting) and had stomach cramps for 77 days, and felt really low. I paid to have it removed. So just be aware that it's not amazing for all women.

Not all women on sequential bleed each month.

Would you consider seeing your doctor and asking to be referred for a scan?

What you're experiencing is not normal. It is probably considered irregular bleeding.

Are you using 200mgs for 12 days each month of Utrogestan?

You see, with that low dose of estrogen you might not get a bleed - maybe just spotting.

Why are you using only 1 pump?

Yeah, I will ask for a scan. Yes, 200mg for 12 days on 25th of each month. I was initially prescribed 1-2 pumps, one was good a start for me, I really only had anxiety and sleeplessness, and heavy periods. Upped a bit with the changing bottles/formulas, now generally on one and a half. Symptoms are well controlled so don't need the extra.

Yeah, I will ask for a scan. Yes, 200mg for 12 days on 25th of each month. I was initially prescribed 1-2 pumps, one was good a start for me, I really only had anxiety and sleeplessness, and heavy periods. Upped a bit with the changing bottles/formulas, now generally on one and a half. Symptoms are well controlled so don't need the extra.

Is there a reason why you chose the 25th of a month?
(Just curious) Many women choose the 1st.

Have you ever tried (right at the start of using hrt) using Utrogestan on Day 15, (mid cycle) when your cycles were regular - if you had roughly a 28-30 day cycle? That would make it coincide with your natural cycle.

You could still try this again- wait till you have a bleed then count 14/15 days and start then (and stick to that date each month.)

Nearly 57 here! Really want them to stop. A few times I've got hopeful as they started to space out, then bam back closer together again. I don't want HRT as I don't have major symptoms (a bit of brain fog, mild sweats sometimes, some anxiety, slightly sore boobs, that's it!) and I also have fibroids which I'm scared will grow bigger if I take oestrogen. A doctor did prescribe estriol cream as she noticed some mild atrophy (hadn't noticed myself) but I've not used it yet and am hesitant to do so!