Too early for menopause?

[Bellabluea]

I know I could probably go and get tests and all that but GP appts are like gold dust and it doesn’t seem particularly urgent.
I’m 42 and haven’t had a period at all this year aside from a small amount of spotting in January. I’m not pregnant and I haven’t had any other symptoms of menopause that I’m aware of. My periods were getting more irregular and lighter last year but I never went more than 8 weeks.
my Mum was in her 50’s when hers stopped so I am surprised but I guess not that bothered. Id probably like HRT if it is because I also have Rheumatoid arthritis so need to protect my old bones!
Anyone had similar experiences? It seems very early.

Yes I've been the same but I'm slightly older. I wondered if it was due to having covid or my booster. Just spoken to gp this week who was happy to discuss. Could be perimenopause (not everyone has symptoms) but I've had blood tests to check other stuff eg thyroid.

Interesting, I just posted on another thread discussing the vaccine’s effect on periods.
I’ve never had any issues with my periods and up until a couple of years ago was regular as clockwork. After the vaccine I didn’t have one for a couple of months.
Ill try and get an appt booked for bloods, thanks.

I was about 45….really heavy periods for a few months and havnt had a period now for 10 years…absolutely no sweats etc !! It never occurred to me to have HRT but now in hindsight I do wonder if long term I should have seeked some help!

Thanks @doggiescats . My mum never had any bad symptoms either although as I say she was at least a decade older.
I’m quite ok with this being ‘it’ especially with the horror stories I’ve read about people going through menopause!

I was 41 when my periods stopped. Got a blood test and had it confirmed. Still nothing (or any symptoms) 8 years later.

It's wonderful.

My periods stopped quite suddenly age forty , was regular previously, no symptoms nothing .Never had another period again .🤷🏻‍♀️

That was twelve yrs ago .

@Bellabluea …my lovely Mum didn’t have any problems with menopause and was about the same age …good luck 💐

We are so lucky 😊

I was 42 OP when my periods starting becoming irregular - sometimes I would have 6 days between periods other times 4 months. The irregularity meant I had no idea when I was due on and it was really getting me down because I could come on whenever with no warning. Just before I was 43 I went to the GP and had a blood test which showed high FSH levels and a repeat blood test 3 months later which showed the same. GP then confirmed I was in perimenopause. Because of my young age she suggested to go on HRT to give my bones and heart the protection that I was no longer getting as I didn't have enough oestrogen. Within this year of irregular periods I also had palpitations at night and woke up really sweaty along with very short and sweet but frequent hot flushes - not once did I put these minor symptoms down to perimenopause and it was only once I started HRT that I actually realised that I wasn't getting hot or having palpitations- I put these down to the stress of a busy life working and bringing up a family.

I was initially put on a low dose cyclical HRT which then gave me a fake bleed every month. This was perfect for me as my bleeds were regular again , my bones and heart were protected and I longer got palpitations etc. I stayed on this for about 4.5 yrs but I started getting some breast pain so GP said I was probably at full menopause but on cyclical HRT as you get a fake bleed it is hard to know when you have reached menopause so I then changed to non cyclical HRT in patch form which was ok but a bit of a nuisance remembering when to change them and they were always falling off and on this preparation after the first few months you are not supposed to bleed but I was so I suggested to the GP to wean myself off HRT as I had no symptoms what so ever but I was dubious because of my young age and the fact that my bones and heart were not getting any oestrogen protection but I now take Vitamin D every day. I have now been off HRT for 11 months and haven't bled for 11 months. So I reached full menopause at 46 - my mum was 56.

I was very lucky symptom wise as I sailed through. The GP would have liked me to stay on HRT until I was 50 but as I had no symptoms I decided to come off as I felt the continuous HRT just didn't work for me.

Hope this helps. Sorry it ended up a bit of an essay.

Thanks all, I’ll get myself to the GP when I can!

you posted on my thread last night, about irregular periods.
yep, mine are dodgy since the first vaccine last Winter.
immediately after the first vaccine (AZ ) my periods changed- the first one lasted about 3 weeks and following arrived after two full months.
I believe it caused by it as before my periods were like a clockwork- very regular my whole life since I started when 13 yrs old.

Peri started for me around age 41, periods stopped completely age 46. It was only really in the last year of it that the hot flushes and night sweats got unbearable. Anyone going through early meno though should consider HRT even without symptoms because it protects you against osteoporosis and heart disease in later life.

Mine stopped completely at 40 (good thing I decided to have DC late 30’s!) and never came back. It was wonderful. Blood tests confirmed menopause.

I did HRT for a couple of years due to hot flashes but then stopped. I’m 52 now and have had bone density scans, everything is fine. I’ve not had any other symptoms other than relief!