Anonymous
Post 03/19/2026 12:48     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At 53 you have most certainly been in estrogen decline, aka perimenopause, for years. It's great that you haven't had many symptoms--although there are so many other symptoms besides change in periods.


Maybe, but my gynecologist told me I wasn’t in perimenopause a couple of months ago. I was wondering if this was finally a symptom or just a transient change in my cycle.


The average age of menopause is 51 and perimenopause starts 7-10 years before that. There's no world in which you at 53 are not in perimenopause. And your doc should know that.


This is OP. I had a lengthy conversation with my doctor about this and I’ll trust her over an anonymous stranger on the internet, but in case it’s useful to anyone else, she explained that while perimenopause can last a multitude of years for many women, for some the perimenopausal period is very short and occurs later, and like someone else said, it’s diagnosed on symptoms only. So I categorically was not in perimenopause when I last met with my doctor. Just because yours lasted 8-10 years, it doesn’t mean that is the case for everyone. Unfortunately, I learned at that appointment that I could continue to have regular periods for another five years or so.

Also, while I’m on this topic, I wish women would stop assuming that their experience is universal. I’ve had so many conversations with women around my age (and not close friends, either, so why the over sharing?) where they have assumed I must be menopausal like they are and share their experience of sleep disruptions and hot flashes and brain fog. It’s awkward! And TMI and unsolicited!


Cool. So why post a question on the forum if you already have so much knowledge and others' opinions are so annoying?
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2026 07:38     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At 53 you have most certainly been in estrogen decline, aka perimenopause, for years. It's great that you haven't had many symptoms--although there are so many other symptoms besides change in periods.


Maybe, but my gynecologist told me I wasn’t in perimenopause a couple of months ago. I was wondering if this was finally a symptom or just a transient change in my cycle.


The average age of menopause is 51 and perimenopause starts 7-10 years before that. There's no world in which you at 53 are not in perimenopause. And your doc should know that.


This is OP. I had a lengthy conversation with my doctor about this and I’ll trust her over an anonymous stranger on the internet, but in case it’s useful to anyone else, she explained that while perimenopause can last a multitude of years for many women, for some the perimenopausal period is very short and occurs later, and like someone else said, it’s diagnosed on symptoms only. So I categorically was not in perimenopause when I last met with my doctor. Just because yours lasted 8-10 years, it doesn’t mean that is the case for everyone. Unfortunately, I learned at that appointment that I could continue to have regular periods for another five years or so.

Also, while I’m on this topic, I wish women would stop assuming that their experience is universal. I’ve had so many conversations with women around my age (and not close friends, either, so why the over sharing?) where they have assumed I must be menopausal like they are and share their experience of sleep disruptions and hot flashes and brain fog. It’s awkward! And TMI and unsolicited!


That’s a strong reaction to discussing transitioning to menopause. It’s a natural part of aging. Why do you think you find it so awkward and uncomfortable to discuss?


You are misunderstanding. It’s awkward when women assume that I’m in their “club” when they are making off hand comments about waking up at 4am for the day and then looking at me as if this is a conspiratorial secret of menopausal women for example (and in this particular example i had no idea and had to ask) Or in summer if I comment on the heat on a 105 degree day suggesting I must be experiencing a hot flash (no it’s just hot). Or wondering why my nails and hair aren’t thinning. It doesn’t seem appropriate to point out that I’m not menopausal (yet), particularly when I barely know them so I just nod awkwardly.


Can confirm I lost a friend because I mentioned menopause symptoms in broad daylight and while both husbands were present. Oh well…

Keeping it real folks. Women are still heavily conditioned not to discuss anything they might be going through unless it brings value to others, especially men.
Anonymous
Post 03/12/2026 21:40     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
I'm 54 next week and I'm still in peri. My cycles got a bit shorter and then I went seven months without a period and then eleven months. I'm hoping to make it twelve next time but who knows. I'm on month two. I get hot flashes and night sweats and random pain but nothing else.
Anonymous
Post 03/12/2026 20:51     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At 53 you have most certainly been in estrogen decline, aka perimenopause, for years. It's great that you haven't had many symptoms--although there are so many other symptoms besides change in periods.


Maybe, but my gynecologist told me I wasn’t in perimenopause a couple of months ago. I was wondering if this was finally a symptom or just a transient change in my cycle.


The average age of menopause is 51 and perimenopause starts 7-10 years before that. There's no world in which you at 53 are not in perimenopause. And your doc should know that.


This is OP. I had a lengthy conversation with my doctor about this and I’ll trust her over an anonymous stranger on the internet, but in case it’s useful to anyone else, she explained that while perimenopause can last a multitude of years for many women, for some the perimenopausal period is very short and occurs later, and like someone else said, it’s diagnosed on symptoms only. So I categorically was not in perimenopause when I last met with my doctor. Just because yours lasted 8-10 years, it doesn’t mean that is the case for everyone. Unfortunately, I learned at that appointment that I could continue to have regular periods for another five years or so.

Also, while I’m on this topic, I wish women would stop assuming that their experience is universal. I’ve had so many conversations with women around my age (and not close friends, either, so why the over sharing?) where they have assumed I must be menopausal like they are and share their experience of sleep disruptions and hot flashes and brain fog. It’s awkward! And TMI and unsolicited!


That’s a strong reaction to discussing transitioning to menopause. It’s a natural part of aging. Why do you think you find it so awkward and uncomfortable to discuss?


You are misunderstanding. It’s awkward when women assume that I’m in their “club” when they are making off hand comments about waking up at 4am for the day and then looking at me as if this is a conspiratorial secret of menopausal women for example (and in this particular example i had no idea and had to ask) Or in summer if I comment on the heat on a 105 degree day suggesting I must be experiencing a hot flash (no it’s just hot). Or wondering why my nails and hair aren’t thinning. It doesn’t seem appropriate to point out that I’m not menopausal (yet), particularly when I barely know them so I just nod awkwardly.
Anonymous
Post 03/12/2026 20:40     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At 53 you have most certainly been in estrogen decline, aka perimenopause, for years. It's great that you haven't had many symptoms--although there are so many other symptoms besides change in periods.


Maybe, but my gynecologist told me I wasn’t in perimenopause a couple of months ago. I was wondering if this was finally a symptom or just a transient change in my cycle.


The average age of menopause is 51 and perimenopause starts 7-10 years before that. There's no world in which you at 53 are not in perimenopause. And your doc should know that.


This is OP. I had a lengthy conversation with my doctor about this and I’ll trust her over an anonymous stranger on the internet, but in case it’s useful to anyone else, she explained that while perimenopause can last a multitude of years for many women, for some the perimenopausal period is very short and occurs later, and like someone else said, it’s diagnosed on symptoms only. So I categorically was not in perimenopause when I last met with my doctor. Just because yours lasted 8-10 years, it doesn’t mean that is the case for everyone. Unfortunately, I learned at that appointment that I could continue to have regular periods for another five years or so.

Also, while I’m on this topic, I wish women would stop assuming that their experience is universal. I’ve had so many conversations with women around my age (and not close friends, either, so why the over sharing?) where they have assumed I must be menopausal like they are and share their experience of sleep disruptions and hot flashes and brain fog. It’s awkward! And TMI and unsolicited!


That’s a strong reaction to discussing transitioning to menopause. It’s a natural part of aging. Why do you think you find it so awkward and uncomfortable to discuss?
Anonymous
Post 03/12/2026 20:33     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
Anonymous wrote:I’m 51 and my doctor tells me I am not in Peri based on hormone levels (though I feel irritable as all get out and have gained 10 pounds so maybe based on symptoms I am?)

anyway, I have Pcos and doc says several menopause is several years later in Pcos.


Oh interesting - this is OP. I was told I had PCOS in my 20s. Not sure if it was accurate because it resolved after unrelated ovarian surgery. I had extremely irregular periods up until i had my kids and then completely regular ever since.

I’ve actually lost 30lbs in the last year and feel healthier than i have been in years most of the time.
Anonymous
Post 03/12/2026 20:28     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At 53 you have most certainly been in estrogen decline, aka perimenopause, for years. It's great that you haven't had many symptoms--although there are so many other symptoms besides change in periods.


Maybe, but my gynecologist told me I wasn’t in perimenopause a couple of months ago. I was wondering if this was finally a symptom or just a transient change in my cycle.


The average age of menopause is 51 and perimenopause starts 7-10 years before that. There's no world in which you at 53 are not in perimenopause. And your doc should know that.


This is OP. I had a lengthy conversation with my doctor about this and I’ll trust her over an anonymous stranger on the internet, but in case it’s useful to anyone else, she explained that while perimenopause can last a multitude of years for many women, for some the perimenopausal period is very short and occurs later, and like someone else said, it’s diagnosed on symptoms only. So I categorically was not in perimenopause when I last met with my doctor. Just because yours lasted 8-10 years, it doesn’t mean that is the case for everyone. Unfortunately, I learned at that appointment that I could continue to have regular periods for another five years or so.

Also, while I’m on this topic, I wish women would stop assuming that their experience is universal. I’ve had so many conversations with women around my age (and not close friends, either, so why the over sharing?) where they have assumed I must be menopausal like they are and share their experience of sleep disruptions and hot flashes and brain fog. It’s awkward! And TMI and unsolicited!
Anonymous
Post 03/12/2026 20:18     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
I’m 51 and my doctor tells me I am not in Peri based on hormone levels (though I feel irritable as all get out and have gained 10 pounds so maybe based on symptoms I am?)

anyway, I have Pcos and doc says several menopause is several years later in Pcos.
Anonymous
Post 03/12/2026 20:14     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At 53 you have most certainly been in estrogen decline, aka perimenopause, for years. It's great that you haven't had many symptoms--although there are so many other symptoms besides change in periods.


Maybe, but my gynecologist told me I wasn’t in perimenopause a couple of months ago. I was wondering if this was finally a symptom or just a transient change in my cycle.


The average age of menopause is 51 and perimenopause starts 7-10 years before that. There's no world in which you at 53 are not in perimenopause. And your doc should know that.


Well there certainly is, because a diagnosis of perimenopause is based on symptoms only. I think OP’s doctor knows better than you.
Anonymous
Post 03/12/2026 17:27     Subject: Re:Finally perimenopause?
Short answer, yes, likely peri. For many people, cycles get shorter before becoming erratic, then finally spacing out and ending. Everyone is different, however. Some people have regular cycles right up until then end when they one day just stop. Others have cycles that only get longer. There is no rhyme or reason. In any case, by 53, you are definitely in perimenopause even if you have no symptoms. While most people have SOME symptoms, there are a few who don't.

That pain behind the ribs? While as another poster mentioned, could be caused by heart attack, may also be another perimenopause symptom. Hormonal fluctuations can cause joint pain including pain in the costochondral joints (around the ribs). So congrats! You now are having multiple symptoms of perimenopause.
Anonymous
Post 03/12/2026 16:30     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At 53 you have most certainly been in estrogen decline, aka perimenopause, for years. It's great that you haven't had many symptoms--although there are so many other symptoms besides change in periods.


Maybe, but my gynecologist told me I wasn’t in perimenopause a couple of months ago. I was wondering if this was finally a symptom or just a transient change in my cycle.


The average age of menopause is 51 and perimenopause starts 7-10 years before that. There's no world in which you at 53 are not in perimenopause. And your doc should know that.
Anonymous
Post 03/12/2026 11:22     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
Anonymous wrote:At 53 you have most certainly been in estrogen decline, aka perimenopause, for years. It's great that you haven't had many symptoms--although there are so many other symptoms besides change in periods.


Maybe, but my gynecologist told me I wasn’t in perimenopause a couple of months ago. I was wondering if this was finally a symptom or just a transient change in my cycle.
Anonymous
Post 03/12/2026 10:50     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
At 53 you have most certainly been in estrogen decline, aka perimenopause, for years. It's great that you haven't had many symptoms--although there are so many other symptoms besides change in periods.
Anonymous
Post 03/12/2026 10:44     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
No idea. That pain sounds worrisome though. My mother had pain like that at 55 and it was a heart attack.
Anonymous
Post 03/12/2026 10:42     Subject: Finally perimenopause?
I’m nearly 53 and have had regular periods and no sign of perimenopause until my last two periods being 23 days instead of 27. Is this finally peri?

Alongside my period today i have lots of abdominal discomfort which is unusual. Not typical cramps but almost under my rib cage,