aged nearly 48 - no I can't possibly be, can I?

[whyamibothering]

Does menopause suddenly hit you as in periods cease at once, not just gradually???? I'm scared of the alternative.

I'm nearly 48 and up until this month periods always every 24 days. Well, today it's day 31 and nothing.... I've had period type pains and lived in hope (for the first time in my life !)

Ok, yes I know a simple pregnancy test would tell me once and for all, but I was just hoping I wouldnt need one and save myself the money. Surely periods dont just stop bluntly like this. Can someone out there confirm that they might????

I shall go buy myself a hpt next week if nothing happens before then, but ohhh the suspense, the fear, the questions?

dont know, but I think it ma be reasonable to say they may start to get erratic.

I suddenly had issues with irregular cycles, where they went from being like clockwork to being all over the place. And I'm 29.

It's normal to have up to 1 in 10 cycles annovulatory anyway (or so I've been told) and that stat must go up if you're nearing the menopause. And if you don't ovulate, your period is likely to be late.

So could be either way. Only way to tell is to get a test.

But if you've had sex then you could be!
Do a test and find out

POAS!

how did you get on?

It's not unknown for women who have had children to have one last burst of fertility at the sort of age you are. Would it be huge problem if you were? Have you actually had unprotected sex?

Well yes you could be pregnant.

But I am 46 and for last 3 or 4 years have been having long long gaps between periods. In fact can't remember last one!

If you haven't already POAS or bought a stick or had AF....

Very cheap sticks online (in case you don't already know) - I got bulk packs from eBay - current cheapest in listing here

Found them pretty reliable while TTC. Even if you think you might have false pos or neg with cheapie, you can buy several and test obsessively!

Word of warning - do as I say and not as I did, and actually read the instructions. i.e. pee in a jar and then dip stick in. Rather than putting stick in mid-stream as you would with a more expensive brand. If you do the latter, pee goes too high up and you might get false pos.

mightbedaftanswernamechange - Thanks so much for that very helpful advice - greatly appreciated.

Northernlurker - No, it wouldnt be a huge problem apart from point of view of being able to go full term / syndromes associated with 'elderly mothers' Oh and shock to the system to 15 year old son and 55 year old hubby....

BudaistheONE - Your post reassures. I actually dont feel pregnant, dont have all symptoms. I am leaving it to see what happens next month and will then do tests / see dr / have a chat etc if need be.

I think it's highly unlikely to be pregnant, quite honestly. Factor in age, and only had unprotected sex at an unovulating time once -and not feeling all symptoms - seems unlikely.

Thanks for comments