What Age Did You Menopause? I Am 49 and I Did Not Get My Period for 2 Mos..

Peri-menopause comes first. That's when you feel symptoms, have periods on and off, etc. When you reach the point that you have not had a period at all for 12 months, that's when you are considered in menopause.

If I were you, I'd go to the gyn and get bloodwork done and have an exam.

I was about 48 when my periods became crazy. Sometimes I skipped a cycle, sometimes they were back to back. Then some night sweats and flashes (which I rather enjoyed during the winter!! lol).

This went on for me for about 9 months. Then no more periods. Still for a while the occasional hot flash, but nothing to be excited about.

Then, my deflated breasts (from nursing all my kids) re inflated! I kid you not!!! I HAVE CLEAVAGE AGAIN!! woo hoo!

I do think it is god's cruel sense of humor though to put many moms through menopause at the same time there are teens and pre teens still at home...it did sometimes feel like the 'house of hormones' for a bit.

I did not do HRT.
I drank wine!!!

Best!

Yes, it probably is menopause. I think the onset can vary greatly.

My GYN told me the average age is 51. So you're in the ballpark. I'm in the middle of it right now with all day off and on hot flashes and not sleeping very well. I did start with night sweats about 18 months before. This is quite a trip, especially with a 14 year old girl in the house too. :-)

Hang in there!

Blessings!
L.

My periods stopped all at once. I have friends who would go 6,8,10 months without O. then get O..
Everyone is different.
Good time to see the doc--as you know.
Start keeping track of it.

I had some symptoms starting at 45 (insomnia, more irregular periods, a few hot flashes), and the doctor's test of my hormones indicated I was in peri-menopause. Then, everything went back to normal for a while until last summer (age 48) when my period disappeared for several months. It came back with doubles for a month or two, and now it's been irregular for a while. At least the hot flashes and insomnia haven't come back... As you can see, the process varies for everyone. You almost certainly are peri-menopausal just by your age, however a doctor's visit will be helpful. Have fun with the transition!

I'm 37 & going through it! I thought I may be in perimenopause about 2 years ago & went to see my dr. She said it was highly unlikely at 35 but apparently when she ran tests they confirmed that was the case. My youngest was just a year old at the time so I wasn't sure if my cycle was just out of whack with nursing but that wasn't the case. Now I haven't had a period in about 18 months & am just now getting hot flashes! It's the craziest thing. Every body is truly different!

The age varies greatly and so do the symptoms. Not everyone has the same experience, or severity of side effects. Fewer than half of women have hot flashes, for example.

I am 53 and have had very few indications of menopause approaching. I'm still having regular normal periods. My mother did up until age 56 or so.

started in my early 40s, and dragged on for years.
periods got very erratic and sparse very quickly, and the hot flashes came roaring in.
i must say, of all the life phases, i've enjoyed menopause the least. i'm glad the 'change' part is mostly behind me (mid-50s now) but because i never wanted HRT or that awful premarin i've relied on herbal supplements and getting my head right about it all, which is a lot harder.
heh. sounds pretty grim, doesn't it? well, there are compensations.
:) khairete
S.

I'm 42, and I might get 1 or 2 really light periods a year. My doctor says I'm too young, so she has me taking an estrogen supplement once every 3 months to try and force a period. I haven't had a period since September, but I'm about to take the meds again. We'll see what happens.

My GYN told me that the reason she wants me on the meds is that my uterus is not shedding it's lining like it should each month. If the lining builds too much, cancerous cells can grow there. She checked the lining recently and said it was very think, but there are no signs of abnormal cells.

So, my point is, I think it's wise that you made an appointment to discuss this with your GYN. Let him ask the questions to help determine your specific situation. I'm pretty sure that 2 months really isn't a very long time to go without a period. My GYN wants me to have one every 3 months, so I don't really think 2 months is something to be concerned about. But, I didn't go to med school, so I really think you're doing the right thing in talking to your doctor about this.

Good luck!