Early menopause--how did it affect you?

[Anonymous]

I'm 43 and I am now skipping periods. I've been in peri-menopause for 2 years now, I had my FSH tested a year ago and my GYN confirmed that I am in peri. I had complete blood work done and also a pelvic ultrasound, they found nothing wrong other than elevated FSH. I'm thinking I may be in complete menopause by age 44.

This is really early for menopause and I am worried about the cardiovascular and bone health effects of early menopause. I have breast and ovarian cancer history in the family so I don't want to take HRT.

Already in the last 2 years I've aged about 10 years. In the last two years I have also suffered from an unexplained bone fracture in my foot (my first broken bone ever) and also a random age-related other health condition that usually affects people age 60 + and that I have zero risk factors or family history for. I am assuming both are due to declining estrogen/peri-menopause.

My face also looks really old and haggard and I have developed jowls and turkey neck. This is all in the last two years.

I'm wondering how early menopause affected you health-wise.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you had a full physical with bloodwork. If not, that would be my next step. Do you have an exercise routine? Are you covering the basics of sleep, hydration, eating well, social contact? I would say reducing stress, but that's subjective during a pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Exercise. Vitamin D--it helps calcium absorb. You can get a D+K combo--the K helps D absorb. Calcium. Take anti-inflammatories and make sure your diet isn't pro-inflammatory. Is your doctor tracking levels of those? I'm not a medical professional--just repeating stuff I've come across in my own quest for middle age health. My sister was in peri-menopause for about 10 years.

[Anonymous]

Get a bone scan asap, called a DEXA.

I was menopausal at 48 and learned through a dexa that I have osteoporosis. Now I take Fosamax once a week.

I had two prior dexa scans while perimenopausal that showed I was in osteopenia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a bone scan asap, called a DEXA.

I was menopausal at 48 and learned through a dexa that I have osteoporosis. Now I take Fosamax once a week.

I had two prior dexa scans while perimenopausal that showed I was in osteopenia.

Did you have any indication of the osteopenia while in peri-menopause? Why did you get tested for it?

[Anonymous]

I had elevated FSH at 35. I am 40 and still have regular periods. I can see aging in my face but that may have nothing to do with it. There is nothing you can do to delay menopause so I don’t let it bother me. My periods have gotten more painful and PMS is worse. I cope as best I can. BC caused cardiac symptoms so I think I just have to deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a bone scan asap, called a DEXA.

I was menopausal at 48 and learned through a dexa that I have osteoporosis. Now I take Fosamax once a week.

I had two prior dexa scans while perimenopausal that showed I was in osteopenia.

Did you have any indication of the osteopenia while in peri-menopause? Why did you get tested for it?

Family history of osteoporosis and osteopenia. My younger sister kept breaking bones and her doctor ordered a DExA for her at 38 - she has osteopenia. Shortly after he results I had a DEXA scan at 40 that also showed osteopenia. I was told by my GP to take calcium supplements.

Dexa scan at 49 showed osteopenia. I am thin, small-framed, light eyes and fair skinned with a history of an eating disorder from teens into early 20s. Non smoker. Teetotaler.

My rheumatologist recommended incorporating weights/weight training and hard surface exercise, like running on a hard surface, to lay down more bone.

One benefit to this diagnosis: I am in better shape than I was in my 20s! Just ran in my 4th 5k and try to run 2x a week, yoga 2x week, fitness walking 1 day and free weights daily. I still take calcium supplements along with once weekly Fosamax.

[Anonymous]

DEXA at 49 showed OSTEOPOROSIS.