Can you have a 'second menopause'?

[Foolsgold74]

I'm 53. Went through the menopause around 45 ish. Had an awful few years of symptoms but have been much more settled for the last 4 ish years. No obvious symptoms and feeling fine. No hrt. Recently though, I've been feeling horrendous. Constantly hot and flushing, racing heart, palpitations, exhausted, terrible sleep, even more hair loss. GP is at a loss. Nothing obvious. Heart OK, bloods fine, thyroid OK. Is it possible therefore for menopause symptoms to flare up again? Many of my symptoms are very menopause-y.

Oh Jesus! I hope not.

It's not a 2nd menopause, it's just that as we get older our estrogen continues to dwindle.

So the symptoms are because of that.
Many women only have symptoms once their periods stop (rather than during peri). There are women in their 60s, 70s and 80s who still have symptoms (but many use HRT to control them.)

Are you open to using HRT?

As PP it’s a continuation of symptoms as our hormones wane and flux. I’m NEVER coming off HRT .
Great app is Balance by Dr Louise Newson, game changer is knowledge is power regarding menopause and women’s general health .

I’m similar went almost 3 years with no monthly period so assumed I was over it , had a full hysterectomy last year and the symptoms are really bad again

I also meant to say OP that if you never used HRT from 45 for a few years, you should ask your GP for a DEXA scan of your bone density. I wasn't sure from your post if you had used HRT for ' the awful few years' .

45 is only just 'normal' for menopause BUT still considered on the early side, and under 45 is classed as 'early menopause' and at risk of osteoporosis. The average age is 51/52.

No, never been on hrt.

My MIL told me over the weekend that menopause never ends. She still gets hot flushes, anger etc and she is 76. She went through menopause, with HRT, when she was 55.

I am sad about this revelation!

As PP said, as you haven't taken HRT, get a DEXA scan.

Your GP ought to have advised HRT. And, especially as you had symptoms as well. I wonder why they didn't?

Most women now are advised to consider HRT if they are post menopausal by 45 ( and use it to 51/52 at least.)

You can take HRT forever, if you have symptoms or risks of other health issues that could be worse without it, so there is no need to suffer.