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Menopause

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Original poster

Can menopause just happen with no symptoms?

79 replies

OraclesandOmens · 12/04/2025 19:04

I only just noticed it’s been about a year since my last period. I’m 50. I have been taking the pill, but there are no bleeds between breaks. My boobs are bigger but otherwise I don’t have anything else different. Would this count as being in menopause? Should I just go straight into HRT and can I stop my pill? The only other possible symptoms are interrupted sleep and tiredness, but I’d put both down to work stress.

Ive read very little about menopause. Did anyone else get it like this, and is this even it?

OP posts:
Cynic17 · 12/04/2025 19:06

Yes. Your periods stop. That's it.
Then you celebrate 🙂

And if you've no symptoms, why do you need HRT? It's not compulsory.

cramptramp · 12/04/2025 19:07

I had no symptoms. Didn’t take hrt.

BlueandWhitePorcelain · 12/04/2025 19:09

Yes, my periods stopped. A hot flush for about 30 seconds once. That was it - it was like being 15 again, with no cyclical breast pain, PMT or periods!

Original poster
OraclesandOmens · 12/04/2025 19:12

Wow, I’m so behind on it all. My boobs are a bit bigger & swollen but idk if that’s the pill. I’m on the mini pill (progesterone only). Could the lack of bleeds just be that, rather than menopause?

I hope I’m not speaking too soon. I was expecting a lot of things to happen by now. Maybe I’ve missed the signs. Can I stop my contraception?

OP posts:
MsMartini · 12/04/2025 19:22

Mine was very missable. Periods stopped for 9 months, restarted for a couple of months, then stopped completely. Now several years the other side.

I had a weekend of feeling not myself/bit weird but I bought some cotton t shirts to sleep in and upped my exercise regime, and felt better. I have exercised a lot throughout and gave up alcohol as it stopped agreeing with me, and suspect both those things have helped with anxiety etc. But mainly I was just lucky.

I haven't considered HRT as I don't have any symptoms.

Fedupwithneighbours · 12/04/2025 19:28

Yes it could be the mini pill. I’m peri and started taking the mini pill to stop horrendously painful periods. I’ve no idea if I’m still peri or periods stopped naturally but gynae told me to stay on mini pill until age 55 (I’m currently 45)

ohnowwhatcanitbe · 12/04/2025 19:32

I was talking to my godmother about my awful menopausal symptoms and she said she had none at all. Her periods just dwindled a bit, then stopped.
Some people are lucky maybe.

Theeyeballsinthesky · 12/04/2025 19:33

Yes of course. Some women are lucky, their periods stop & that’s it. Take the win if that’s the case

11QR · 12/04/2025 19:34

I had early menopause no periods at all once I hit 40 a few sweats but no other symptoms

notatinydancer · 12/04/2025 19:45

Dr told me to use contraception til 55.

Christwosheds · 12/04/2025 19:52

With the pill the withdrawal bleed is not a period, you should still have a withdrawal bleed as you would on some types of HRT . So check with your GP that it’s ok to not have withdrawal bleeds on the mini pill.

tarheelbaby · 12/04/2025 19:56

Peri and meno are totally variable for every woman. I had symptoms of peri for decades (from 39!) but did not realise what was happening: cotton mouth, mild anxiety, choppy sleep, occasional heavy periods - these I attibuted to recovering from childbirth ...
Fastforward and I've had 12 mos w/o a period (yay!) but I often have morning nausea... and at random times during the day.
If you are sexually active, continue with contraceptive/prophylactics!
Currently I am feeling a huge amount of work stress as I work my notice so if you are planning to continue in your (stressful) job, DO see your GP for some advice.
My mother dealt with intense anxiety and (probably meno stress) without anyone advising her. Even at 80, she's a nervy creature...

Newgirls · 12/04/2025 20:22

Yes the peri to no periods can be fine! Just keep an eye going forward as low oestrogen can bring issues later in life (osteoporosis etc) that hrt can protect against (as well as exercise, eating protein, not smoking etc)

TroysMammy · 12/04/2025 20:30

I was taking cerelle or it could have been cerazette up until I was nearly 54. I never had any bleeds when I was on it. When I stopped it nothing happened, no period, no brain fog, no flushes, no anxiety, no mood swings although I've always been intolerant of arseholes but maybe more now and I have shit sleep because of restless legs.

Through over eating and general laziness I was heavier than I should have been and a non alcoholic fatty liver diagnosis spurred me into losing just over 2 stone in weight.

I'm not bothering with HRT.

LuckyManifestations · 12/04/2025 20:56

My periods just stopped at aged 50.
I had no symptoms of peri or menopause and still don't at 56.

Ive never been able to tolerate any hormonal contraceptive, but in GP's advice I started HRT 2 years ago. Within 2 months I was constantly crying/raging/panic attacks, and had very low mood.
Decided it wasn't for me, and have been fine since.

Portakalkedi · 12/04/2025 22:45

Yes, happened to me, had a couple of slight hot flushes, lasted about 2 weeks the gone. I didn't even realise for ages until no more periods happened

Arran2024 · 12/04/2025 22:49

I didn't have symptoms. The impression being given by the menopause industry is that everyone suffers greatly but they don't.

FunnyCradock · 12/04/2025 23:49

Oh my god, I’ve heard about these mystical beings who sail through it. I thought it was a myth (or that my mother was lying to me).
My mother said it was “fine” & I know she didn’t feel the need for HRT. She’s a fit & well 79 yr old with non-crumbly bones & a non-leaky bladder. So yep, HRT is clearly not essential.

However, I have not found it to be at all “fine” and I’m on all the sodding HRT.
Bloody well done (genuinely) to all of you sail through-ers. I can only dream of such things.

JinglingSpringbells · 13/04/2025 07:38

Christwosheds · 12/04/2025 19:52

With the pill the withdrawal bleed is not a period, you should still have a withdrawal bleed as you would on some types of HRT . So check with your GP that it’s ok to not have withdrawal bleeds on the mini pill.

@Christwosheds It's the combined pill that gives a withdrawal bleed- not the mini pill. many of the newest mini pills are bleed-free and they also stop ovulation.

MinnieCauldwell · 13/04/2025 07:48

Never had perI symptoms at all. Period stopped dead on age 50. Never took any HRT or medication due to having cancer at the same time. None of my friends or female relatives ever took HRT. It's not automatically required.

BigAnne · 13/04/2025 07:54

No symptoms, periods just stopped. Friends and family members were the same.

WinterFrogs · 13/04/2025 08:00

ohnowwhatcanitbe · 12/04/2025 19:32

I was talking to my godmother about my awful menopausal symptoms and she said she had none at all. Her periods just dwindled a bit, then stopped.
Some people are lucky maybe.

My mum would say what your grandmother did - i think she's either blocked it out or is in denial about her hot flushes and irritability. She also has osteoporosis.

@OraclesandOmens haven't had major symptoms but I'm now on hrt and have realised in my new found comfort that actually the symptoms snuck up on me over about seven years - anxiety, aching hips, itching, fatigue, forgetfulness and running hot all the time (rather than flushes). Sleep is still hit and miss but I'm only six months in.

My doctor recommended "Menopause Matters" for good info so it would be worth a look there and also talk to a gp about contraceptives. Can't help you with that as I had tubes tied years ago.

JasmineAllen · 13/04/2025 08:15

Yes, my periods just stopped (at 52) and I had no obvious symptoms. No hot flushes, insomnia, rage etc that you hear about.

I did feel a bit more tired and achy but that's to be expected in your 50s if you're reasonably active.

It was only when I randomly ovulated and had a tiny mini period 2 years after my last period and I was referred to gynae for a hysteroscopy that I discovered I had vaginal atrophy. Again, I'd had no obvious symptoms.

I was prescribed vagirux pessaries which I've taken ever since so be aware you could develop VA (it's very common) and not notice.

I've recently started the hrt patches just to give it a try really because I'd been feeling a bit low. I didn't expect to feel much different but now I have much more energy and I don't ache which is amazing. I slso felt so much more positive. Also my back problem after gardening has completely disappeared which is great. I can honestly say I have the energy I had 10/15 years ago 🙂

JinglingSpringbells · 13/04/2025 08:23

For the record, only 2 in 10 women have no obvious symptoms. But some appear years later (as a few posters here have said.)

A lot of older women who weren't of the 'HRT generation' (now in their 80s and 90s) didn't recognise their symptoms as related to menopause. Some of my mum's friends (who would be in their 90s now) were on antidepressants and sleeping pills for decades for 'nerves' and insomnia that all started around 50.

There used to be very little discussion about menopause and although there's a danger of it going too far the other way, there's a middle ground.

@OraclesandOmens I'd give it longer to see if any symptoms appear. The mini pill can mask some symptoms anyway . My flushes didn't start till 52 and I was still having more or less regular periods till then.

JasmineAllen · 13/04/2025 08:52

JinglingSpringbells · 13/04/2025 08:23

For the record, only 2 in 10 women have no obvious symptoms. But some appear years later (as a few posters here have said.)

A lot of older women who weren't of the 'HRT generation' (now in their 80s and 90s) didn't recognise their symptoms as related to menopause. Some of my mum's friends (who would be in their 90s now) were on antidepressants and sleeping pills for decades for 'nerves' and insomnia that all started around 50.

There used to be very little discussion about menopause and although there's a danger of it going too far the other way, there's a middle ground.

@OraclesandOmens I'd give it longer to see if any symptoms appear. The mini pill can mask some symptoms anyway . My flushes didn't start till 52 and I was still having more or less regular periods till then.

This is a good point. As 1 of the 2/10 if I hadn't had that hysteroscopy I might never have known I had VA until it was really bad.

It's frustrating that menopause info seems to concentrate on hot flushes but no one mentions the affects on you genito-urinary system which imo are much more serious.