Pleased to still be having periods on cusp of 53rd birthday

[3StoneStillToGo]

So, like title says I'll be 53 before the end of the year and still having regular periods. They have got shorter in cycle - so 27 days this month, down from 28 days last month. They have been 28 days for a while.
My periods when younger were every 35 days.

Don't have kids in case that is relevant to anything.

Everytime I get another one I think 'Oh good, protected for another month'

What I mean by that is I have heard the longer you have your periods the better it is for your health to still have all the relevant hormones in enough quantities to cause a period.

Obviously I am in perimenopause as my cycle is changing but apart from some quite heavy periods nothing has really changed. No hot flushes or night sweats or anything.

I sort of feel the closer I get to being 60 without them stopping the better it is for all things concerned. If I fall apart after 60 I'm not so bothered as I feel like I'll be 'old' then. Planning to stop dying my hair at 60 too although of course that could change.

Anyway just wondered if anyone else felt like that. I read often that people are sick of them and wish they would hurry up and stop but I feel the opposite way although of course I still hate the mess, sore stomach, headaches.

I’d have been thrilled and delighted if periods hadn’t restarted after my last pregnancy…some 20yrs ago, damn them!

It was an odd thing to post.
Because as a PP said, it shows you were unaware of the normal age of menopause.

But your other posts showed you wanted to 'opt out' of life once you got to 60.

Yes I am well aware that I am still in the 'normal range' and that up to 55 is quite normal. I was just pleased to have them until the longer end of the normal range that was all.

This is the first time I have been surprised at posters being unpleasant on mumsnet.

I shall hope to have menopause by 55 then although obviously I have no control over it really

I might feel different if I could get a GP appointment to ask about do I need HRT. Since it seems impossible where I live I was consoling myself that having my periods still was giving me some protection.

I'd rather not take any more drugs unless I have to (already on max dose of antidepressants due to complex trauma in childhood)

How bizarre to brag about something that we have zero control of.

I'm looking forward to it - not having to try and be attractive anymore to fit in with society expectations of what a woman should look like.

Everyone is different but for me the idea is bliss.

thanks - should I ask the wizard of oz for a new heart for you

Why would you need to ask about HRT if you have no symptoms at the moment?

Women use HRT for symptoms.

You can't get HRT for your bones unless you are at risk of bone loss or have an existing condition. That means you need a DEXA scan to see how your bones are.

I think you may find it helpful to do some reading about menopause, HRT and bone loss etc .

I don't think my life will be over at 60 - just entering a new phase where I can stop trying to be 'young and attractive'.

I'm looking forward to it.

I guess it can all change between now and then and I do realise that everyone feels different.

I seem to have offended everyone over 60. I didn't mean to.

But why wait till 60?
You can stop dyeing your hair today if you want to!

No one knows your age anyway. Are you going to wear a badge saying you're 60 and stopped dyeing your hair?

You do realise women dye their hair, wear make up, choose nice clothes etc right into their 90s because they want to- nothing to do with 'expectations'?

I seem to have offended everyone over 60. I didn't mean to.

I'm well over 60 and not offended, just puzzled why you think 60 is old! Like everyone else is on this thread.

Do you work?

Do you have friend or colleagues who have stopped dyeing their hair at 60?

Yes I know. I already feel 'old' but that may be a reflection of the life I have had.

I do know others that have a real zest for life right through till they die.

Unfortunately I didn't really have a childhood and have always been old for my age.

I was looking forward to being able to hide away after 60 as I have found life difficult. It appears from the reactions on this thread my mental health may be worse than I thought.

Already on max dose anti depressants and starting therapy with clinical psychologist on the NHS shortly (lucky I know to be getting it free, not so lucky to be so traumatized to need it I guess).

I felt 'helpless' when I realised I couldn't see a GP anymore without considerable stress and I think I was trying to console my anxiety by reassuring myself that my periods would be protecting me still so it didn't matter.

Still a good kicking from strangers on mumsnet about menopause of all topics has given me a real boost.

I really don't understand why people are so annoyed by your post, OP.

I understand what you were getting at, and it makes sense to me that you'd be better off in some respects by still having periods, but I'm not a doctor so what do I know.

I've had horrendous peri-menopause for many years now, with every possible symptom, it's been so bad that I eventually had to reduce my working hours. I'm still having periods at 50 yrs old though and hoping they end soon as I'd like to see the back of them now.

it wasn't supposed to be a boast at all.

It was mostly about reassurance that my health was still protected.

good luck with your op. I can understand you wanting them gone if they are giving you so much trouble.

Also I applaud you being brave enough to not colour your hair. I still do it as I am not ready to face up to the fact my hair is probably 100% grey now. Looking forward to not doing it though.

If you want to stop making an effort with your appearance you can do that at any age. No need to wait until 60.

I volunteer at a council run over 60's social club. Most attendees are in their 70's and most of the women take pride in their appearance and dress fashionably with their make up done and have hair styled nicely. Many belong to activity groups ( Nordic walking and cold water swimming is popular among them) and they have very active social lives ( group theatre trips , lunches and supper clubs)

My grandmother gave up on life at 60 when she was made redundant from her job. There is no way I'm doing that when it's clear there is so much to do and so much fun still to be had.

I'm glad to hear you are not falling apart.

I have several neighbours over 60 and they all look amazingly well and younger than they are.

I think this post has made me realise how unusual I am to be looking forward to be able to disappear from life and people. I'm not dreading being 60 - I am looking forward to it.

Also good to hear others have not taken HRT and are in good health. That makes me feel reassured that not being able to access HRT if I need it won't have an adverse affect on me.

Hi OP, without that further information your post came across as "life's over after 60" and so people disagreed with that, understandably.

I'm sorry if you feel I gave you a kicking. Now you've shared some more information it sounds like you're actually saying something different, you're saying you didn't have a childhood and have mental health issues and can't see a GP and you've felt old for a long time and are quite looking forward to sinking into not giving a fuck.

It does sound like HRT might help, my main symptom was anxiety which was sorted by HRT. So I would persist with trying to get an appointment. I hope the counselling goes well. And nobody here gives a fuck about whether you dye your hair or not, some of us were just making the point that you don't have to give up at 60! Good luck.

Thanks for not being nasty and trying to understand what I meant.

This post has shown me that my mental health is worse than I thought as I am looking forward to being able to hide away from life after 60. I already do my best but feel I still have to make some effort in my fifties.

Already on max dose of anti depressants 60mg per day of prozac and already been assessed as needing clinical psychology by NHS due to childhood trauma so not much more I can do till therapy starts.

Can't access GP it seems to even be able to ask about HRT and I was anxious about it until I realised my periods would still be 'protecting me'.
I had no idea I would get such a kicking for it. My own fault for opening up!

I had regular periods until I was 55, they then slowly dropped off. My sister is 63 and is still having regular periods, they dropped off at about 58 so she went in HRT and they’re regular as clockwork now. There as many different experiences as there are people.

my mum had severe osteoporosis and had constant broken bones in her back which was very painful.

I was hoping having my periods longer would help my bone density.

No chance of getting a scan as GP access is pretty non existent and I'm too tired to have to fight for an appointment.

I'm going through an early menopause, and have been in HRT since 42 but needed it years early (GP wouldn't take me seriously). I felt OLD before starting the HRT, but 2.5 years later and on a high enough dose of oestrogen and steadily losing the 6 stone i gain, as a result of my very low oestrogen, with mounjaro i feel much better and younger again, and look it.

It's the process of perimenopause/ menopause that makes you feel old, not the age you go through it, and if it is managed properly this only needs to be temporary.

In what way does one’s body fall apart?

@3StoneStillToGo There isn't a massive difference between periods stopping at 50-ish or 55. The real risk of bone loss is if periods stop much before 50.

Sadly, most women don't know what their bone health is unless they have it scanned and the problems usually appear in their 60s or 70s.

Many women insist they are 'fine' without HRT and half will be, but half will not be. 1:2 women develop osteoporosis and most are only diagnosed too late after a fracture.

What you have added in your posts seem to show your real issues are not about the menopause but your mental health and you're waiting for counselling. I hope that goes well.