Can menopause just happen with no symptoms?

[OraclesandOmens]

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?

Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of incorrect info out there and a shame that the NHS has not updated their page with the correct information. Once MNHQ has reviewed and posted the videos I linked, hopefully this will clarify better. The NHS page has clearly used the risks mentioned in the leaflets which are included in all hormonal treatment regardless of type and are based on the flawed women’s health Institute studies which were done based on oral forms of conjugated (synthetic) oestrogen which carries slightly higher risk than the body identical forms we have today

rather than just reading what random people on Mumsnet are writing I try to include reliable sources of information. For example, this one from thrombosis UK addresses blood clots with no increased risks from using transdermal forms of systemic HRT. Topical oestrogen by comparison is absolutely tiny. When used twice a week for a whole year, this is the total equivalent dose of one oral HRT pill https://thrombosisuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/tuk-menopause-clot-leaflet-final.pdf

It was my godmother, not my grandmother, and she's only 14 years older than me. She said she had no symptoms at all, other than that her periods just petered out over a couple of years and that was that.

Sorry @ohnowwhatcanitbe I misread godmother for grandmother.

I'm just aware that people who 'sail' through menopause often put easily remedied symptoms down to other causes, or simply don't notice them.
I certainly thought I was fine, and just started HRT for the much touted health benefits, but I am feeling a lot happier and healthier since starting it.

Even 2 years ago when the NHS wrote that it was never right! The review is 2026 . The problem I think is that whoever they use to write these websites aren't qualified and rely on cut/paste of info they find.

There are other medical sites out there like Patient where at least the info is either written or reviewed by doctors.

In all honesty, I’d take the NHS website or a face to face Dr over. YouTube expert any day of the week. I didn’t say all over 50s had those conditions but a significant number will. After all they include most of the common symptoms of aging.

Mine just stopped at 36. I'd gone through full menopause after investigating. I'm now on HRT to stop osteoporosis etc and in hindsight I have had some symptoms but if my periods were still here I wouldn't have put it down to menopause

@TomeTome I think you misunderstood. I said it was a consultant.

The consultant I mentioned but didn't name, is Prof Nick Panay. President of the International Menopause Society, one of the top gynaecologists in the world. He's also at Imperial College NHS Trust and other London NHS hospitals. He used to be head of the menopause clinic at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital.

On Youtube he's discussing the leaflets and mis-information as part of a series of interviews on menopause and HRT/treatments.

I didn’t say it applied to everyone, just the women I know.
I wish it applied to me!

He is only going to see people with symptoms, just saying!

Mine just stopped at 44. The only symptoms I had were a being a bit sweaty at night. I had no other symptoms at all, not even a hot flush.

If that’s true then he should be using his position to change the NHS guidance. As I said a YouTube pronouncement varies very little weight particularly with the over 50s.

Thanks for all the information. I had never heard of vaginal atrophy so will look out for it. I’d literally not even thought about menopause until I noticed I’d not used any tampons or pads for ages. Then looked on my calendar and noticed it’s been about 14 months since my last period. I’ve been on the mini pill on and off for about 3 years and my periods were regular but light when “off”, with occasional light bleeding between packs. I’ve read that one side effect is that it can stop periods so maybe it’s that and not menopause.

Whatever it is, I won’t stop the pill as I’m scared to get pregnant!

thanks for advice.

I wouldn't go for HRT if no symptoms. Unless advised by doc due to other protective concerns.

My only symptom (which took a while to figure out lol!) was that red wine made me feel sick/very headachy and I completely went off it. I loved my red but hey thems the breaks. I don't drink at all now, couldn't be bothered since my only alcoholic drink was not working for me anymore.....

Google if you want to watch them.

You may notice that @over50andfab linked to a series of videos from the British Menopause Society which are very helpful. Youtube. She also made the same points that I have about the leaflets.

Vaginal estrogen is only available on prescription OR for women over 50 from a pharmacy where they pharmacist does the health check. So they will correct the NHS info in person.

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

It’s not compulsory but the benefits usually outweigh the risks, according to the NHS. I was symptomless, but chose to take HRT regardless.

OP, with the bigger boobs thing I would do a pregnancy test. My colleague thought she was in menopause and she was pregnant!

Are you sure you’re on the mini pill? I’m asking because you’re talking about bleeding between packs (which usually happens on combined) - with the mini pill you take it continuously with no breaks. I’ve been on it for over ten years now. Mini pill is progesterone only. Combined is oestrogen and progesterone and if you are taking this one - as opposed to the mini pill- it’s likely the oestrogen may be masking some of the menopausal symptoms you may have. I am 44 and stopped producing oestrogen completely aged 37 due to autoimmune issues.

@Pigeonqueen I've been on the mini pill
18 years this last time and always had periods, usually every 28 days, then longer gaps, then back to about 30 days.

@OraclesandOmens I asked the nurse last week if I should stop the mini pill as I'd not had a period for almost a year- I'm 53.
She said unless I was planning on switching to condoms I should definitely stay on the pill till 55.

It’s fine to have bleeding whilst on it, that’s not what I meant (although lots of women like me take it because they don’t want any bleeding and it often completely stops any bleeding in many women) - I was asking because the op says she gets bleeding “between packs” - as if she’s leaving a gap between packs and with the mini pill you don’t leave any gap, you just take it back to back continuously (I know some women do this with combined now too but traditionally with combined you leave a gap and have a bleed). If the op is on the combined pill rather than mini pill this may change what’s going on.

She's one of those annoying people who never have anything wrong with them!

I would strongly recommend you get your bone density checked.

I thought I’d sailed through menopause but that was because I had super mild hot flushes and nothing else. It wasn’t until 3 years later that through seeing the right doctor at the right time that she picked up on the insomnia, brain fog, and repeated frozen shoulder (3 x and counting) to menopause. I’d had my bone density checked years before because of family history. It wasn’t amazing, but it was ok. I had it rechecked and it had fallen off a cliff. I’m on a mission to rebuild it. A friend of mine now has sky high cholesterol, post menopause.

Anyway, my point is take HRT, or not. But there are potentially ‘hidden’ symptoms.

I’m the same age as you. OP, and hoping that my periods just stop one day with no other symptoms. 🤞

Although I had an ob/gyn checkup recently and the doctor said that I’m lucky so far but things could change anytime, i. e., I could suddenly get some unpleasant symptoms. I’ve had a couple of hormonal headaches but that’s it.

Re. DEXA scans. I had an accident last year and asked for one as I was concerned that I could be developing osteoporosis. I’m in the US so we pay for it regardless. The results were normal and have put my mind at rest for -so personally I think it’s worth it if you’re worried. I’ve started taking a calcium supplement too.

My doctor also recommends a DEXA scan at 60, though, I.e., post-menopause, to check for any deterioration.

@W0tnow Yes, that’s exactly what my doctor says! Bone density can suddenly change so it’s worth checking again in a few years. My Mum developed osteoporosis so I expect that I will eventually. She developed it earlier though so I’m lucky so far.

@PigeonqueenYes I’m on a progestogen-only pill (Zelleta). My nurse said there’s no need for a break and that I can let the packs run continuously, or I can take a break “psychologically” if I want to. Tbh I’ve taKen breaks because they’ve coincided with my partner or me being away & not needing contraception. I prefer not to have it pumping through my body continuously if there’s no need for it.

Definitely not pregnant!

Meno doesn’t make your boobs bigger.