54 & Doc Says Meno is a Long Way Off

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP. Interestingly my bones came back as very strong, no sign of osteoporosis, so that’s good. And, apparently, estrogen is neuroprotective, which is also good because my mother (age 83) has late on-set Alzheimers. I need to look up the data re cancers. I haven’t seem info on that.

I get tested every 4 months for FSH, estradiol, estrogen and estriol so I assume that she used those numbers to make her determination.

Why do you get testing every 4 months?

52. No symptoms. No period since Sept of last year but doctor says it's impossible for me to be in menopause and have zero symptoms. True? I never really had difficult periods or PMS or cramps.

Because I have other health things I’m tracking (thyroid, cholesterol etc) and it doesn’t cost more to do them all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP. Interestingly my bones came back as very strong, no sign of osteoporosis, so that’s good. And, apparently, estrogen is neuroprotective, which is also good because my mother (age 83) has late on-set Alzheimers. I need to look up the data re cancers. I haven’t seem info on that.

I get tested every 4 months for FSH, estradiol, estrogen and estriol so I assume that she used those numbers to make her determination.

Why do you get testing every 4 months?

52. No symptoms. No period since Sept of last year but doctor says it's impossible for me to be in menopause and have zero symptoms. True? I never really had difficult periods or PMS or cramps.

Because I have other health things I’m tracking (thyroid, cholesterol etc) and it doesn’t cost more to do them all.

Any doctor that says it’s impossible to not have symptoms is weird. Lots of women sail through menopause. I will say I know at least 10 women who didn’t have their period for 11 months and then it showed up. You’re not in meno unless you haven’t had a period for a full year. Just fyi

[Anonymous]

I was 56.5 (this month was finally 1 year without a period).

I never did get hot flashes or lack of sleep—-just 10 pound weigh gain overnight (literally!).

I eat so healthy, have been a lifelong athlete (6-7 days per week), weight lifter, etc. Nothing changed. So depressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was 56.5 (this month was finally 1 year without a period).

I never did get hot flashes or lack of sleep—-just 10 pound weigh gain overnight (literally!).

I eat so healthy, have been a lifelong athlete (6-7 days per week), weight lifter, etc. Nothing changed. So depressing.

I dont think its that depressing. Its biology. Your healthy looks different but isn't any less healthy.

[Anonymous]

Finally at 58 I am done. I was so ready in early 50s, but it seemed to take forever. Now I can't even remember the exact age I finally hit a full year. I had 11 months at one point, had a period so the clock started again. That was disappointing.

At first I seemed to be avoiding weight gain, but now that has happened. I have been eating too much, so I could get this back somewhat under control, but the problem is I'm struggling with not letting myself just have what I want.

[Anonymous]

I'm in early menopause and I was told this increases my risk for health issues. I envy you, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't it healthier that it's taking longer?

Higher risk of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. OTOH, later menopause is also associated with lower risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease and with greater longevity So, it's complicated.

I thought early menopause was the one associated with breast cancer. The premenopausal hormones have a protective effect on the body.

The longer you have exposure to the hormones, the higher risk of cancer. But those hormones are also protective from other conditions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP. Interestingly my bones came back as very strong, no sign of osteoporosis, so that’s good. And, apparently, estrogen is neuroprotective, which is also good because my mother (age 83) has late on-set Alzheimers. I need to look up the data re cancers. I haven’t seem info on that.

I get tested every 4 months for FSH, estradiol, estrogen and estriol so I assume that she used those numbers to make her determination.

Why do you get testing every 4 months?

52. No symptoms. No period since Sept of last year but doctor says it's impossible for me to be in menopause and have zero symptoms. True? I never really had difficult periods or PMS or cramps.

Because I have other health things I’m tracking (thyroid, cholesterol etc) and it doesn’t cost more to do them all.

How doesn't it cost more to do more blood work? There is a fee for each test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP. Interestingly my bones came back as very strong, no sign of osteoporosis, so that’s good. And, apparently, estrogen is neuroprotective, which is also good because my mother (age 83) has late on-set Alzheimers. I need to look up the data re cancers. I haven’t seem info on that.

I get tested every 4 months for FSH, estradiol, estrogen and estriol so I assume that she used those numbers to make her determination.

Why do you get testing every 4 months?

52. No symptoms. No period since Sept of last year but doctor says it's impossible for me to be in menopause and have zero symptoms. True? I never really had difficult periods or PMS or cramps.

You probably have symptoms, it’s just that you don’t notice them. Like I had an itchy ear and had no idea it had anything to do with menopause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in early menopause and I was told this increases my risk for health issues. I envy you, OP!

How old are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't it healthier that it's taking longer?

Higher risk of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. OTOH, later menopause is also associated with lower risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease and with greater longevity So, it's complicated.

I thought early menopause was the one associated with breast cancer. The premenopausal hormones have a protective effect on the body.

The longer you have exposure to the hormones, the higher risk of cancer. But those hormones are also protective from other conditions.

And yet all the influencers pushing HRT on every woman deny that there is any link between taking hormones and breast cancer. Even though it's undeniable the longer you are exposed to hormones, your risk of breast cancer increases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't it healthier that it's taking longer?

Higher risk of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. OTOH, later menopause is also associated with lower risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease and with greater longevity So, it's complicated.

I thought early menopause was the one associated with breast cancer. The premenopausal hormones have a protective effect on the body.

The longer you have exposure to the hormones, the higher risk of cancer. But those hormones are also protective from other conditions.

And yet all the influencers pushing HRT on every woman deny that there is any link between taking hormones and breast cancer. Even though it's undeniable the longer you are exposed to hormones, your risk of breast cancer increases.

Every study I’ve read says the cancer risk elevation of HRT is minor. The biggest risk is estrogen-only therapy. The key is to pair estrogen with progesterone. Please cite studies if you are saying otherwise.

[Anonymous]

I just entered post-menopause this week and will be 51 in a few weeks. I had a baby at 42 naturally. My sister was in her late 40s when she entered post-menopause, also had two kids in her early 40s naturally. Neither of us had any symptoms. My gyno said there is a link between early menopause and having kids later, which is interesting. My mother/aunts had hysterectomies in their late 30s so it could also be genetic and we just don't have enough family info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't it healthier that it's taking longer?

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't it healthier that it's taking longer?

Higher risk of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. OTOH, later menopause is also associated with lower risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease and with greater longevity So, it's complicated.

I thought early menopause was the one associated with breast cancer. The premenopausal hormones have a protective effect on the body.

The longer you have exposure to the hormones, the higher risk of cancer. But those hormones are also protective from other conditions.

And yet all the influencers pushing HRT on every woman deny that there is any link between taking hormones and breast cancer. Even though it's undeniable the longer you are exposed to hormones, your risk of breast cancer increases.

Every study I’ve read says the cancer risk elevation of HRT is minor. The biggest risk is estrogen-only therapy. The key is to pair estrogen with progesterone. Please cite studies if you are saying otherwise.

Who wants even a minor increase in cancer? No thanks!