Do you have questions about menopause? Ask Vira Health’s expert Dr Michelle Griffin - £200 voucher to be won

[CeriMumsnet]

Please note this Q&A is now closed for questions but you can see Dr Griffins answers here

Menopause can feel daunting and complicated. Maybe you’re perimenopausal; maybe your periods have stopped but you’re still having menopause-related symptoms. Maybe you’re going through an early menopause, or one brought on by medical treatment. Or maybe you’re just wondering what the next few years might hold for you and how you can best embrace (or at least get through) whatever may be heading your way. Vira Health is here to help, and their expert Dr Michelle Griffin will be answering your questions about everything to do with menopause from 18th to 27th Jan.

Here’s some more information about Dr Griffin: ‘Dr Michelle Griffin qualified as a doctor from University of Cambridge and specialised in Gynaecology, working in a number of hospitals in London and the East of England. She is a Member of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and has completed her training with the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. She has worked in the NHS for over a decade, as well as for the Department of Health, Public Health England and the World Health Organisation on women’s health projects. She is leading the clinical development of Stella, a new app to help you manage your menopausal symptoms'.

Here’s what Vira Health, the team behind Stella has to say: “Women spend on average 7-10 years in menopause, with symptoms changing and fluctuating all the time. Yet, in the UK, less than 7% of women are satisfied with the care they receive. That’s not ok. Stella offers women personalised plans to help manage menopause symptoms better with support from an expert coach. From insomnia to weight gain and anxiety to incontinence issues, Stella supports women to find relief backed by proven science. Plans are customised to your needs and you can track your progress quickly and easily.”

If you feel in the dark about the symptoms of menopause, you’re looking for advice on managing its effects in day to day life, or you have questions about treatment or care options, you’re in the right place. Share your questions for Dr Griffin below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ
Insight Terms and Conditions apply

So I’m already in bed tonight because I just don’t feel ‘normal’. I’m 53, my periods stopped suddenly one year ago, I had no symptoms, no hot flushes, etc. Since then my only real symptom is vaginal dryness (about to start prescribed cream for this). I just have days like today when I don’t feel myself and sometimes I can’t even put my finger on what is wrong, my chest feels tight, I’m tearful and tired. My question is “How can women recognise the difference between menopause symptoms and other illness?”

Is it possible to have menopause before the age of 40?

Thank you everyone for all your questions! Dr Griffin has been really pleased to see so many questions coming in and decided to start answering them early, and will continue to do so until 27th Jan. Look out for answers from Monday the 18th!

Is it possible to have symptoms of menopause but not actually have menopause?

Are there some symptoms that are more common than others? Also are there symptoms that are connected only to menopause?

As soon as menopause symptoms start, does this mean you can no longer get pregnant?

How is it that people as old as say 70 can get pregnant if they should have had menopause before then?

What is the main symptom of menopause?

I'm 35 but I know my dm went through the menopause quite early, I'm on the contraceptive injection so don't have periods, so how would I know if I was going through the menopause?

Ignorant question, but does every woman go through menopause?

Does menopause lower your libido levels?

Is menopause something to be scared of?

Does everyone suffer the same symptoms? Or is it unique per person?

Is it possible to get pregnant once the symptoms of menopause have started?

Is it possible to confuse menopause with something else?

@Whytie

Is it possible to confuse menopause with something else?

Also want to know this. How do you know someone is suffering from menopause and not something that has the same symptoms? Are there any symptoms unique to menopause alone?

Hello Mumsnetters! Thank you all so much for sharing your questions and personal stories with me. There were so many questions that I wanted to jump in early. I will do my best to answer a first batch of questions and will keep going until the 27th! Thank you and keep them coming!

@Theimpossiblegirl

I'm 45 and know very little about the menopause, but I suppose I'll have to find out soon enough. I have the Mirena coil so I'm hoping a lot of it will pass me by. Am I being naïve?

Hi @Theimpossiblegirl, the Mirena IUS releases progesterone only and in such a small amount. It does control bleeding, making periods lighter and more regular. However, it will not have any masking or treatment effect on other symptoms of menopause.

@StuntNun

I'm in perimenopause and having such heavy prolonged periods that I'm becoming anaemic. I asked my GP for micronised progesterone tablets but she will only prescribe the mini pill for me, insisting that I must have it for contraception purposes as well as for lightening my periods. I haven't been on the pill since my mid 20s and I use barrier contraception. Why is my GP pushing it as the only treatment for perimenopause?

Hi @StuntNun!

It is important to use a reliable contraception during perimenopause and barrier contraception often fails which is likely why your GP is nervous to rely on it. Other options include a Mirena IUS which will help regulate your periods and lighten the flow.

@FingersCrossedForAllOfUs

If you have a baby later in life i.e. in your early forties is there a likelihood women might start experiencing the menopause sooner or later than the average?

Hi @FingersCrossedForAllOfUs

This is a good question especially as the average age of women having their first child is increasing. Currently the evidence shows that the average age of menopause is 51. However, please note this is an average and covers a wide range. It is not completely understood what determines the age a women reaches menopause (that is no periods for 1 year and not on hormonal contraception). However, it is likely to be determined by both genetic and environmental factors (i.e. the lifestyle you lead and life choices you made). So it is likely that there is a link with the age our mothers and other females in the family when they went through their menopause. Also, it is thought that having children (no matter what you age you were) may mean you go through menopause perhaps later than someone who doesn’t have biological children. However, much more research is needed in this area.

@Summergarden

Is the age at which a woman starts the menopause always related to when her mother started? My mother was relatively late so I’m assuming I will be too, but perhaps that assumption will bling me to the first signs.

Hello @Summergarden, currently the evidence shows that the average age of menopause is 51. However, please note this is an average and covers a wide range. It is not completely understood what determines the age a women reaches menopause (that is no periods for 1 year and not on hormonal contraception). However, it is likely to be determined by both genetic and environmental factors (i.e. the lifestyle you lead and life choices you made). So it is likely that there is a link between the age a woman reaches menopause and the menopause age of their mothers and other females in the family.

@PearlescentIridescent

I'm extremely concerned about when I reached menopause because both my mother and grandmother suffered with incredibly heavy bleeding during the transition which led to the near loss of my mother who had to have a blood transfusion as she wasn't taken seriously.

Is there anything that can be done to manage such an extreme symptom?

Hi @PearlescentIridescent

I am so sorry to hear this. Of course you must be very nervous and worried. Irregular and heavy bleeding occurs in perimenopause as the oestrogen and progesterone levels are fluctuating and falling. There may be additional reasons, such as fibroids, why your mother and grandmother bled so heavily. There are many options to help regulate and lighten the flow of bleeds including the Mirena IUS and progesterone only pill. I would be guided by your symptoms and seek help from your GP as soon as the bleeding becomes a problem.

@ILoveFlumps

This time last year my periods stopped, and I had about 6 months of terrible hot flushes. I'm now bleeding irregularly and the hot flushes have stopped. Blood tests indicate menopause, but GP has said nothing else. I'm 41. Should I be taking anything?

Hi @ILoveFlumps, it definitely sounds as though you are experiencing perimenopause with erractic bleeds and hot flushes. I would go back to your GP and talk about your options including HRT based on your personalised risks and benefits. You should also be taking adequate Vitamin D and calcium in your diet, if not you can take additional supplements.

@LadyGAgain

Hello! I'm 42. Mum and Granny completed menopause at 48. I have Very young DC. Now very irregular periods - 14 days to 85 days. Emotionally challenged. Exhausted. Literally just would prefer to lie down all the time (regular blood tests and am on both T4 and T3 which I needed and have always made me feel better).

I have controlled hypo-thyroid as per my meds above.

Any correlation? What should I be aware of/do?

Hello @LadyGAgain. The symptoms you describe could be due to your hypothyroidism and/or perimenopause. And therefore I would ensure you have an up to date blood test and check with the GP that your are on the correct dose of medication. However, if you are perimenopausal, the fluctuating and decreasing hormone levels will not improve with thyroid medication and so please go to your GP to discuss options including HRT to manage these symptoms. Also, if you are sexually active and do not want to become pregnant, you need to use contraception as perimenopause and irregular periods does not mean you cannot fall pregnant.

@Fortheweekend

Can perimenopause cause digestive upsets or exacerbate conditions such as IBS? I am almost 48 and have had IBS for over 20 years but the last 3-4 years have been awful. After endless tests (colonoscopy, endoscopy, ultra sound scans, ct scans etc) gastroenterologists say it’s ‘just’ IBS but I have regular/almost daily symptoms which make me miserable such as indigestion, acid, burping, gas, bloating, grumbling/gurgling guts. I do notice many woman my age complaining of these things on menopause support groups. Can the unsettled hormones disrupt the digestive system?

Hi @Fortheweekend I am not surprised to hear this. As you say it is a common complaint. However, the evidence is not yet clear on what is going on. For some women, the changing hormone levels can be associated with aggravating IBS symtpoms however, some report their symptoms imrpove as they go through perimenopause and menopause. It does sound as though you are having many awful symptoms and so it is worth getting some relief. You have not said what treatments you are on and whether you are on HRT but this is defintiely something to explore with your GP and gastroenterologists. Also it is clear that for IBS and your general health going through menopause and beyond, it is really important to look at what you are eating and making sure you are optimising that.