No periods at 46

[Turkeypie]

Coming up to 12 months without periods. Does the GP need to confirm official menopause? Is there anything else health which which could stop my periods? as I'm aware 46 is still quite young. Unsure if this means HRT is advisable?

Definitely not pregnant!

I would still book the GP to rule out other conditions that can cause amenorrhea. Are you very thin? Do you exercise a lot?
It could well be menopause or not. A few blood tests can rule most things out.

I think you need to go two years without a period if you are under 50, before menopause can be declared.

@AudiobookListener I've seen this a few times on the site recently from posters and not sure where the info is coming from? It's not true.
Menopause is 12 months with no period, at any age.

Birth control needs to be continued for 2 years if periods stop before 50, to be on the safe side if sexually active, but that's a different thing and it's because very rarely it's possible to have a 'last' ovulation and become pregnant.

@Turkeypie Some menopause consultants would say consider HRT to 51-52 which is the average age, to protect your bone health and heart.
You need to look at this in the context of your family history and your own medical history, and whether you might have slightly higher risks.

If you periods stopped at 45 it means you were on the cusp of early menopause which is between 40-45. HRT is advised for early menopause.

Mine stopped at 45. Apart from nighttime hot flushes for a few years, I had no problems and very high bone density.

How do you know? In the UK no woman has her bone density tested unless privately, or if she has fractures.

Mine stopped last year at 47 so similar age. I feel great, no HRT as don’t feel I need it? Don’t really have any symptoms and feel good in myself. I haven’t been to the doctors or anything as wasn’t sure why I’d need to? Do I need to?!

No, my GP sent me for DEXA scan at 47, to set a baseline. Built like a dinosaur. You can ask for one, as my sister did (also quite early menopause). So that's how I know.

Maybe different practices have different criteria? I know that the ROS did a huge amount of campaigning a couple of years back to get NICE to agree to DEXA scans for women over 50 and they said no.

Usually, no one gets one unless they have a risk like a mum with osteo-family history or other risk factors.

I paid for my first one privately and that's what I've continued with.

This is pretty much me. Almost like I need it confirmed but feel ok. Average weight and not excessive exercise. I heard that thyroid issues can stop periods therefore my over thinking/health anxiety mindset has convinced myself. Might be worth blood tests to check I guess

No history of osteoporosis in either side of the family back to grandmothers, no extra risk factors. As I said, I was under 50. My sister and I are lucky with our GPs, one of each sex, two completely different health areas. I would advise people to ask as DEXA scans are available on the NHS.

IIRC the NHS website used to say that ( it was a good few years ago) anyay, I see that it doesn't say it now. Thanks for the correction.