No symptom menopause?

[anotherusernameforthis]

I’m confused (and not very educated on this…..)

I’m 46.

Had my last period in autumn 2020 with a few very heavy ones preceding.

I put it down to losing weight, taking up running and the general stress of that year. I did high level sports as a young adult and also lost my period then for a year or so, so assumed the same thing again.

However, weight stable (low end of BMI), diet very healthy, no junk, no alcohol, lots of veggies and fish. Not done hormone blood tests as I don’t think they are seen to be very reliable but all other blood work showing everything in normal levels.

Still active but not running so body not under stress.

I’ve not had any of the usual menopause symptoms; no hot flushes/anxiety. Feel totally fine. Slightly grumpier at times perhaps according to my DH….

I feel as though I’m too young to have been through the menopause, although the criteria of no periods means that I have.

Could this be it? A symptomless menopause? Or is there more to come with symptoms?

yes you might be one of the lucky ones!

That was me.

Went from "fuck, surely I'm not pregnant" to "oh, that was the menopause then!"

That was about 8-10 years ago and I'm 58 now. I do need to get my bones looked at (my GP says) and I'm doing that this year. About 10 years ago my GP said "hmm, 48, do you want HRT?" I said no, because I didn't think I needed anything, I do wonder now if I'd be less stiff and creaky if I'd had it, but there you go.

I think because it started when I was 41 I put it down to other causes; it seems young to me to go through menopause at that age?

I’m 49 and went through pretty much symptomless menopause as well. My periods moved to 3 monthly, then six monthly then stopped. No noticeable mood problems etc. I think I had maybe 4 hot flushes? But just got hot during the night 🤷🏼‍♀️ I started a similar thread to this and got told by lots of people that it was all still to come, but all is still fine. I had a check up with the dr to ask about HRT and she said she couldn’t advise it atm due to lack of symptoms! But I’m going to look into any benefits of going on it anyway, eg bone health, and go back to her if/when I want to discuss it further.
Let’s hope we continue to have a healthy, straightforward menopause 😊

@ASighMadeOfStone
I had a bone scan done in Jan, all fine - exactly where they should be for my age but very conscious of maintaining muscle mass/bone density for the future.
Don’t know enough about HRT yet to work out whether it is a good idea even with no symptoms to protect for the future, or whether it is a bit late now anyway!

I had no symptoms. It was a blessed relief after years of heavy, painful periods, the accompanying migraines and vomiting and PMS.

@Newname2308
I have a few hot nights too, but I always have so not a new symptom.

Unfortunately my mother died 20 years ago so I never got round to asking her how hers was, I think that is a big indicator of how yours will go. Maybe we’re just lucky with genetics?

PLEASE go back to your GP and discuss the risks of early menopause.

You say your bones are okay and that's good but early menopause (before 45 and you were 42)puts you at a higher risk of heart disease and possibly dementia.

Many specialists would advise / insist you used hrt from 42 right up to 51 at least (average age of menopause) even if you do not have symptoms.

Too many GPs are blase about this or unaware.

No symptoms here either and bone density just fine. My sisters have also experienced the same, also our mother.

None of us have taken HRT and we are all very fit and healthy.

As Jingling said 41 is obviously very young for periods to have stopped and even if women choose not to have hrt from 50 and over there really is tons of evidence that supports hormone therapy for premature menopause. What did your gp suggest at the time?

It is great that you don't feel any ill effects but without scaring you, don't count your chickens just yet. The issues related to plummeting oestrogen can start slowly and gather momentum so by your early 50s that may be when you feel the effects. Carry on with a healthy lifestyle and diet to minimise impact and I would at least book a phone consult with a hcp to discuss your situation.

@DrJoanAllenby Are you in the UK? Have you had DEXA scans?

Just interested as DEXA scans aren't done on the NHS unless there are known risks (premature or early menopause) or fractures. They aren't offered for any other reason.

Have you been having them and repeated - and how often?

No one can know what their bone density is without a scan.

It can take 10 years or more for fractures to occur and no fracture 'to date' doesn't mean there is no risk.

As @Janiie says, the outcomes of early menopause can take decades to appear.

There was another research paper in the media only last week (it was from the US) confirming the already known risks of early menopause.

One that was focused on was heart disease. In the research they found that post menopause, women's risk not only increases to the same as men, but age for age, it doubles.

For women with early menopause, the risks start sooner.

I'm 55, periods long gone. I do have osteoporosis (v strong family history) but no pain or fractures thankfully. I go through phases of not sleeping great but otherwise no symptoms.

Thanks so much for all your responses. Had no idea about risks associated with early menopause. Will book a GP appointment asap.

@JinglingSpringbells - I had a DEXA scan privately in January, mainly for my own interest to check bone density.

I’ve got private health insurance, so will ask for a referral to a menopause specialist if they are dismissive. Is there such a thing?

Any recommendations for London based specialists would be very helpful.

Good that youre seeing a hcp, also worth remembering that cessation of periods can be caused by other factors such as thyroid problems. So while we should all expect erratic periods from 40 and over that will stop at some point, to have periods stop completely at 41 should be investigated for other causes.

Early-ish symptomless menopause for me too. My mum was the same. Her mum was in her 30s, my mum was 38 and I was a bit older at 48.

There are definitely menopause specialists- many are consultant gynaecologists. And there are many in London.
Private insurance won't cover you for menopause but it will cover you for other related diseases (speaking from experience. I see a private menopause consultant but after the initial appts paid for by insurance, I've mostly funded the appts myself for many years.) I have regular dexa scans and am on hrt.