Sad to be in menopause

[Khanny]

Feeling really down about it. I'm only 44 and have just hit one year since my last bleed. I feel exhausted, really tired and have headaches and keep getting a mild cramping feeling, the other night it was so much I thought I was going to actually start my period.

Anybody else feeling like this and do you take anything?

I'm sorry you feel like this and it's understandable.

However, apart from the emotions, you do need to see your GP and discuss HRT. I appreciate you may feel a bit scared of that but it is medical guidance that for women with early menopause (before 45) you do use HRT to at least 51 (average age of menopause) to help lower your risks of heart disease, dementia and osteoporosis.

https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/030-early-menopause-and-poi-dr-sarah-ball-and-dr-louise-newson/

Oh my goodness, really? I didn't know this. Thank you for the information x

You have to go 2 years since last period, before 50, to have reached menopause, only 1 after 50.

I m 46 and in late stage perimenopause and I m delighted to be getting it over and done with, possibly not fully rational but it's like I can strike one thing off the list of stuff I have no choice in and need to complete. I know post menopause is also a journey, but hopefully less tumultuous than the peri stage.

The feeling down is possibly peri related. HRT might help.

You have to go 2 years since last period, before 50, to have reached menopause, only 1 after 50.

You have to go 2 years under 50 to stop using contraception, but you can definitely be menopausal before 50 after 12 months of no periods.

Really? Gosh I didn't know you had to go 2 years before 50! Thank you x

You don't.

See my previous post.

In some women with POI (menopause before 40) they're advised that their periods may, rarely come back off and on for some years.