Please tell me about the menopause...

System

First i knew something was amiss was when i missed a couple of periods. I'd been 'heavy' for a few years but was always regular and to suddenly stop was really unusual for me, so unusual for me i bought a couple of pregnancy tests (even though i had been sterilised over 10 years before).

Whilst doing a random blood test i asked my GP to test my falling hormones and the blood tests came back at the level consistant with the menopause.

I was told that once youve had an absence of periods of 12 months you can safely say you are through it.

To be honest, ive sailed through it with no problems. In some ways better because i dont get anaemic.

Glad

Sorry, giving or asking for medical advice is not permitted on the forum as it’s not what the site's about. Discussing medical insurance policies, cheaper ways to see consultants, cashback for alternative health treatments and how to get specific medication cheaper (legally) are all perfectly acceptable but please don't discuss what to do in the event of certain medical problems (please read the forum rule). If you have any questions about this policy please email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.

no1catman

You may feel different, because of the different combination of hormones, it may make you feel 'confused' because it doesn't feel like 'you'!
That's part of the challenge to get used to the new 'you'.
For some women, it can be a shock coping with the realisation that 'having children' is in the past (some fight that). Other's rejoice in the end of the blood letting.
Either way try and treat as just another era in your life.
HTHs good luck.

yellowbear

I'm late 40s and have noticed that I'm going longer between periods. Anything up to 3 months before I get one. When it does arrive it's pretty light.
I've had no sweats or flushes.

I thought that the age your mum went through it was meant to be a rough guide?

Petra_70

Judi wrote: »

First i knew something was amiss was when i missed a couple of periods. I'd been 'heavy' for a few years but was always regular and to suddenly stop was really unusual for me, so unusual for me i bought a couple of pregnancy tests (even though i had been sterilised over 10 years before).

Whilst doing a random blood test i asked my GP to test my falling hormones and the blood tests came back at the level consistant with the menopause.

I was told that once youve had an absence of periods of 12 months you can safely say you are through it.

To be honest, ive sailed through it with no problems. In some ways better because i dont get anaemic.

Thanks ... Thing is, I do keep getting different answers from people, and on websites too. Some people (like you) say that it's over when you have not had a period for 12 months. And others - say it's only starting then! So I am still a bit confused!

Glad wrote: »

Sorry, giving or asking for medical advice is not permitted on the forum as it’s not what the site's about. Discussing medical insurance policies, cheaper ways to see consultants, cashback for alternative health treatments and how to get specific medication cheaper (legally) are all perfectly acceptable but please don't discuss what to do in the event of certain medical problems (please read the forum rule). If you have any questions about this policy please email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.

I'm not asking for medical advice! I am simply asking if the menopause is over when you have had no period for 12 months, or is that when it starts?

Bit of an over-reaction!

And thanks a lot to the poster who posted PURELY to moan that my thread was on the 'wrong' board, and then reported my thread and got it moved! I was quite happy having it on the other board. I think some people have too much time on their hands.

Thanks to everyone who has given helpful advice. Even if I'm still not 100% sure as to when the menopause ends .... Is it at the point where you go 12 months without a period, or is that's where it starts?

marybishop

Menopause starts when you've been period free for 12 months, before that is the perimenopause when things can start going haywire for some, others not. If you visit the ' Menopause Matters' website you'll find a mine of information.

duchy

Petra_70 wrote: »

Thanks ... Thing is, I do keep getting different answers from people, and on websites too. Some people (like you) say that it's over when you have not had a period for 12 months. And others - say it's only starting then! So I am still a bit confused!



I'm not asking for medical advice! I am simply asking if the menopause is over when you have had no period for 12 months, or is that when it starts?

Bit of an over-reaction!

And thanks a lot to the poster who posted PURELY to moan that my thread was on the 'wrong' board, and then reported my thread and got it moved! I was quite happy having it on the other board. I think some people have too much time on their hands.

Thanks to everyone who has given helpful advice. Even if I'm still not 100% sure as to when the menopause ends .... Is it at the point where you go 12 months without a period, or is that's where it starts?

What's the problem ?

You posted on the wrong forum - it was moved so you'd get more replies - but yes you are right- you ARE over-reacting ........ Maybe it's your hormones !!

As for why you get different answers from different people - of course you will. Just as if you ask women when their periods started or what child-birth was like for them- you'll get a variety of answers because different women have different experiences . Menopause is no different -some women sail through it- others suffer a variety of problems.

Petra_70

marybishop wrote: »

Menopause starts when you've been period free for 12 months, before that is the perimenopause when things can start going haywire for some, others not. If you visit the ' Menopause Matters' website you'll find a mine of information.

Thanks Mary Bishop. I will visit this website.

Petra_70

duchy wrote: »

What's the problem ?

You posted on the wrong forum - it was moved so you'd get more replies - but yes you are right- you ARE over-reacting ........ Maybe it's your hormones !!

As for why you get different answers from different people - of course you will. Just as if you ask women when their periods started or what child-birth was like for them- you'll get a variety of answers because different women have different experiences . Menopause is no different -some women sail through it- others suffer a variety of problems.

That is NOT what I said! Please do read posts properly before responding!

I said I have been getting different answers as to when the menopause starts or ends; Some say it ends when you have been free of periods for 12 months, and some say that is when it starts!

I said nothing about getting different answers from different people about various symptoms. Of COURSE I know it's different for everyone FGS.

Armchair23

The strictly clinical definition of menopause is one year without menses.
Symptoms and issues prior to that time are within the peri-menopause.

If you said why the terminology was so important to you ( i.e. am I still able to conceive) you might get a response that you were happier with.