Beginings of the menopause or not?

[mrsmummy]

Hi, am almost 45 and periods have been anything from a 23 day cylce to 29 days, however last one in may was 21 days and I havn't had one since.Am sure i am not pregnant,have an appointment on monday for scans to confirm fibroids,periods have been heavier recently - so menopause or not?
Am assuming scans on monday - ultrasound and transvaginal will confirm I am not pregant

In the years before menopause (peri) this is what happens for most. Periods become erratic, hormone levels start to fluctuate. It can go on for years I'm afraid (mine has) before they finally stop, but I do know a couple of friends who were as regular as clockwork month by month and then stopped just like that. It's different for each of us.

My last period was also in May and I was hoping that might be it for me ... but I've got the sore breasts and the other pre-menstrual symptoms that tell me another is on its way.

Do you have any other symptoms apart from irregular periods?

No other symptoms,just the not knowing that's getting to me!, going on holiday later on in the month and i bet i start with the periond from hell whilst away!!!!!!!!!!, either that or on monday when i go for the scan!

I know, it drives you nuts, never knowing when it's coming and what it's going to be like when it comes!

The other thing is the blood tests to detect hormone levels and determine 'whereabouts you are' in terms of peri/meno aren't a lot of use at this time either - at least for me. They can be up one minute, down the next. I was told I was definitely 'menopausal' about five years ago lol! Had three test since and they've been different everytime.

The response you get from doctor to doctor is bizarre as well. Some will say one thing, others something else. I've got one of those surgeries where you never see the same doctor twice and the difference in the way they approach peri/meno symptoms is just so inconsistent.

There's a US website called Powersurge that is really good for all this stuff, but beware some of the posters are a little intense (understandable I suppose when you don't know what the hell's happening to you), and Brit humour doesn't always cross the pond.

I don't know how to do a link I'm afraid and not sure if it's allowed on here, as I'm fairly new myself.

thanks for that will have a look

an excellent site
Someone on here directed me there.
It's very friendly - and informative.

I've had pre-menopausal (perimenopausal) symptoms since I was 45. Insomnia, IBS, depression, hair loss, carpel tunnel syndrome, anxiety, panic attacks, hot sweats, flushes, aching joints, unusual swelling and on and on. I'm 49 now and after asking twice I've finally been "allowed" hrt. Three years without sleep. This is the average age to get symptoms apparently. I thought I was losing my mind. I've been on Femoston for four weeks but no let up in any symptoms as yet. My GP (who's lovely) says it takes around three months to kick in. Her mum had just the same problems. Couldn't stop crying. My periods also very erratic and flooding. They are closer together.

Also, I've twice had the blood tests for a drop in hormones and both times it showed that the levels are fine. I had to insist on trying hrt in the end because I'm obviously more sensitive to hormonal changes than the charts allow for. I've always had really bad pmt and lost a lot of hair after both my pregnancies.

Christie- sorry to hear you are having probs.

I don't know anything about Femoston but I have been on HRT for 2 years now.

My gynae suggested the oestrogen gel, with progestins added once every 3 months to bring on a bleed.

Using the gel means you can adjust the dose until you find the right amount to control your symptoms. There is also some evidence in terms of safety that the gel is safer than tablets and patches, and that it is absorbed faster so you get symptom relief quicker. With tablets you have to take more hormones in effect as so much is lost through the digestive processes.

I found that it worked for me in a week. Previously I'd had insomnia and hot flushes but I am older than you- my symptoms began at 53 and my last period was then. I have since had what they think are 2 other periods, at 54 and 55. ( had a scan and a biopsy to check for abnormalities).

Maybe you should ask your dr for a change to another type of HRT if you get no improvement. I know theysay allow 3 months and I guess I was lucky in finding something that suited me straight off.