I still get asked that at 53. And, my answer is “yes”. I still give the date of my last period. Still getting it monthly.

What’s the big deal with this question? There’s a wide age range for when people can stop. And just because you may not be getting your period it doesn’t mean you are in menopause. There could be other issues. How does it hurt to ask?

You should assume that any question you are being asked by the medical assistant or whoever does the initial intake is just moving through the massive electronic medical record intake forms. There is almost certainly a checkbox to indicate whether or not somebody with a uterus is still having periods. Don’t take it personally- they aren’t looking at you and trying to figure out if you’re too old or not. They’re just collecting a ton of info because they have to.

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of women schedule their birth control so that their periods stop. So, while perimenopause at that age is rare, not having a period at that age isn't.

And for hemotology, in particular, the period can absolutely impact things like red blood counts.

+1 I’m 50 and have had one Mirena after another and haven’t had a period in almost 15 years. I definitely wasn’t having them at 38-39 and that’s really common.

Anonymous wrote:I am 48 and still having my period. It sucks

In my family, most women haven't gone through menopause until their early 60's.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a pre-op nurse. We are required by a clear policy to ask every female between the ages of 7 and 65. (Or their parent if applicable).

Not saying this is the case with OP, however, I’m rather tired of females at the wide margins (or their parent) demonstrating clear offense at the question. Cmon people, think. You’re about to have surgery. With anesthesia. Why do you suppose I am asking you this question even though you are 8, or 56?

Are you required to ask "are you still having periods?" or just "when was your last menstrual period?" I think OK is objecting to the former wording.

I would rather they ask if I was still having periods rather than making me dig back into my brain to tell them when that period was. Lol.

Anonymous wrote:I'm almost 50 and had to get a pregnancy test before a procedure recently. I'm like are you serious?

I know it sounds ridiculous, but it’s a valid question before a medical procedure. My OBGYN said a 55 year old came in and found she was pregnant. Obviously totally unexpected, but you would want to know — especially if you were having something like a hysterectomy!

When I was 42, I ended up in the hospital and one of the doctors running invasive tests asked if I still had regular periods. He clearly was checking if he needed to order a pregnancy test before proceeding, but I did find it weird that he didn't realize a 42 year old probably did still have regular periods.

Fast forward to me now at almost 50, and not so much...

Anonymous wrote:I’m a pre-op nurse. We are required by a clear policy to ask every female between the ages of 7 and 65. (Or their parent if applicable).

Not saying this is the case with OP, however, I’m rather tired of females at the wide margins (or their parent) demonstrating clear offense at the question. Cmon people, think. You’re about to have surgery. With anesthesia. Why do you suppose I am asking you this question even though you are 8, or 56?

Are you required to ask "are you still having periods?" or just "when was your last menstrual period?" I think OK is objecting to the former wording.

It is very common to be asked for the last period. My guess is that you did not answer the question on the check in form and they are asking for that reason (I once forgot to answer and they assumed my period had stopped) or it is relevant to what you are being treated for.

Date of your last period is a very common question that would also give the relevant information and does not carry the assumption that op’s question does. I also don’t think it’s offensive in any way, but I (43) have never been asked in that way. Haven’t been to a hematologist either tho.

It's a common question at appointments. I was asked this before an MRI and I was assuming they asked to make sure I wasn't pregnant. And it is relevant for many specialty doctors to ask this because if you are missing your period it could be a sign of something.

I am 48 and still having my period. It sucks

I’ve been asked at all of my breast health appointments since I was your age, which is when I started having those appointments. They’re medical questions, nothing to be offended about. Some women may have also had hysterectomies.

I hit menopause at 43 so I think it’s pretty relevant.