How do you know it's finished?

[Onacuctustree]

I had a few awful symptoms for a bit... But not that long.
My periods went a bit strange, anxiety, hot flushes..
Had HRT for about 6 months.
For many reasons I didn't go back to it.
It's been 3 years since I had a period.
I still occasionally have hot sweats.

Do you have to have a blood test to tell that it's all done?
I just would like to know if this is the new normal or if I have more to expect?

Menopause never finishes because oestrogen levels never increase again.

Symptoms however, can diminish over time.

You can have a period of calm and then it can kick off again ( but it may not!)

You are probably post meno if your last period was 3 years ago.

Thank you for your reply.

I guess I thought it was a process you go through and then get out of it and have a new normal...

But I understand that hormones are not linear.
The occasional symptoms are livable... just annoying.

My symptoms kept arriving up to 5 years after my last period. Menopause has been hell for me.

Loss of bone density, higher risk of cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal symptoms, vaginal atrophy, loss of collagen, drier skin and hair.....all things that happen and don't go away after menopause, I'm afraid.

I'm 11 years post the start of menopause. I know within 12 hours if I've forgotten to change my patch as I'll suddenly feel hot prickling. So I don't think I'll ever not need HRT.