For those entering/in menopause

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine was irregular for a good 7 years or so. Then 2 months before I turned 54, it stopped That was it, no real symptoms

Same. No real hot flashes or anything. The irregular periods sucked for a good 7-10 years and the final year were very heavy (with one trip to the ER after weeks of non-stop flooding) before stopping completely.

[Anonymous]

My periods were irregular for several years starting in late 40s. Finally went a full year without a period at age 55. It never occurred to me to go to the doctor. I always heard that it was normal to have irregular periods leading up to menopause.

[Anonymous]

51. I got my last Mirena out in December and I still have random periods. I had no period for a good 10 years (thanks Mirena!!) and now I still have it whenever the h#ll it feels like coming. Fun times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The irregular periods are really stressing me out. Was there anything that helped you predict when they would start? I feel like I have to wear a pad or period underwear all the time.

I'm 48 and feel the same way. I am wearing a very thin pad just in case, especially when I'm outside of my house. I was recently on vacation and was stressed out a little bit to get period out of the blue, I also have slept in friend's house ( I would hate stain bedsheets with my period).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My periods were irregular for several years starting in late 40s. Finally went a full year without a period at age 55. It never occurred to me to go to the doctor. I always heard that it was normal to have irregular periods leading up to menopause.

Exactly. Why do women go to the doctor? What are they gonna do about your irregular periods?

[Anonymous]

I'm 46 and having a really long cycle for me (not pregnant, did several tests) and I'm just wondering if it's just going to be like this now, where I'm just wondering all the time when it's going to start?

About two years ago my cycles got really short, like 23-25 days. Then they've slowly been lengthening over the last 10 months or so and now I'm on day 38 with no period yet. Previously, my longest cycle in recent memory was 31 days. I don't have a lot of other symptoms - no hot flashes. But do have increased heart palpitations and anxiety over the last year.

I'm so used to being pretty confident about a start day for each cycle, this has me really out of sorts. Any clues that you picked up on from your body that let you know when your period was going to start?

[Anonymous]

No it just stopped no warning one day and never had another.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 46 and having a really long cycle for me (not pregnant, did several tests) and I'm just wondering if it's just going to be like this now, where I'm just wondering all the time when it's going to start?

About two years ago my cycles got really short, like 23-25 days. Then they've slowly been lengthening over the last 10 months or so and now I'm on day 38 with no period yet. Previously, my longest cycle in recent memory was 31 days. I don't have a lot of other symptoms - no hot flashes. But do have increased heart palpitations and anxiety over the last year.

I'm so used to being pretty confident about a start day for each cycle, this has me really out of sorts. Any clues that you picked up on from your body that let you know when your period was going to start?

Same boat here. 3 months of nothing then super light period. For me, low back ache was the signal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 46 and having a really long cycle for me (not pregnant, did several tests) and I'm just wondering if it's just going to be like this now, where I'm just wondering all the time when it's going to start?

About two years ago my cycles got really short, like 23-25 days. Then they've slowly been lengthening over the last 10 months or so and now I'm on day 38 with no period yet. Previously, my longest cycle in recent memory was 31 days. I don't have a lot of other symptoms - no hot flashes. But do have increased heart palpitations and anxiety over the last year.

I'm so used to being pretty confident about a start day for each cycle, this has me really out of sorts. Any clues that you picked up on from your body that let you know when your period was going to start?

Same boat here. 3 months of nothing then super light period. For me, low back ache was the signal.

Wow. Did your cycles gradually lengthen or did you just not have a period for 3 months out of the blue?

[Anonymous]

I'll be 54 this summer. Last year, when I was 52, I had a few late periods, a few times it seemed to come twice in one month, and once I skipped a month. And then, one time, I had the period from hell. A bloody horrible mess, including cramps; I never get cramps. In all of my years, I had never bled so heavily.

My current situation is that I had my last period in January of this year. I'm praying to god that I'll make it to a full year and will be able to consider myself officially in menopause.

I have not sought a doctor's appointment based on any of these things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started having hot flashes, palpitations, and night sweats at 38. My cycle shrunk to 21 days by 40 and stayed that way until 45 when I’m now having cycles as long as 9 weeks.

I have all of this now at 45! It came in kind of suddenly, especially the hot flashes.

How did you manage the hot flashes and night sweats? Did you take anything? Did they get better or worse over time?

[Anonymous]

Mine were getting longer between cycles and then just stopped a year ago Feb. but then out of the blue, I had again that next June for 2 months and now I haven’t had one since last June. I turned 50 in Feb and I think I’m on the early side vs all of my friends. Hot flashes started a year ago Feb with the missed periods but went away and then came back. I’ve gained a good 15lbs over the past 2 years and I’m 5’1 so it’s a lot. My stomach grew to this giant thing probably 6 months ago. Started HRT 3 weeks ago. Definitely feel better from it. Hoping to lose some weight though, which hasn’t happened.

[Anonymous]

I’m 53 and they come more or less every 21-28 days. Had one night sweat hit flash this week. Started having insomnia, night sweats and hair loss in my late 30s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll be 54 this summer. Last year, when I was 52, I had a few late periods, a few times it seemed to come twice in one month, and once I skipped a month. And then, one time, I had the period from hell. A bloody horrible mess, including cramps; I never get cramps. In all of my years, I had never bled so heavily.

My current situation is that I had my last period in January of this year. I'm praying to god that I'll make it to a full year and will be able to consider myself officially in menopause.

I have not sought a doctor's appointment based on any of these things.

Same. 54. Stopped 3 months prior. It was wacky for awhile prior. Now nothing and it’s been wonderful. No moods, no cramps, no bloating, no blood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you are pretty luck to he 48 and just starting. The average age for menopause is 45. Like not having a period for a year.

I think it’s 51

45 is earlier than average for actual menopause.

My doctor told me anything after 40 is normal.