Premature Menopause diagnosed, gutted :(

I'm sorry you're feeling down about it. Menopause is a normal, biological process. I haven't gone through it and I don't know what it's like, but it's not a death sentence. I mean that kindly. You have 30, 40, even 50 years ahead of you, and they can be wonderful years filled with health and vitality if you want them to be. While hormonal changes can make it harder to lose weight, it's nothing that you can't conquer by carefully counting your calories and exercising.

You should have a long talk with your doctor- insist on it, it's his job. Tell him you're feeling down about the diagnosis. Tell him you want to know what to expect and ask him how this will effect your quality of life. Ask him to send you to a dietitian and maybe to a counselor. Discuss the possibility of hormone replacement therapy- they're are pros and cons to hormone replacement, but if you're going to do it, you should do it now and not later. Your estrogen receptors change after menopause and hormone replacement therapy has a different effect the longer you wait post-menopause. If your going to do hormone replacement therapy, you want to do it now.

Hormone replacement therapy HAS fallen out of favor lately because it's linked to other health issues like breast cancer, but it you go in with eye-wide-open, you might decide the benefits outweigh the risks.

I'm not exactly saying you should do it- only you can make that choice- I'm just pointing out that it's an option for you.

But mostly, try not to get too discouraged. It will be okay. Menopause is normal. 43 is a little young, but not outrageous.

That's really hard :frown: Both physically and emotionally (the hormone rollercoaster) that takes a toll on your body. While it hasn't happened to me yet, I know it's right around the corner, and I feel like I'm rushing to try and lose the weight before it hits. That being said, I agree with LabRat that it is something that can be managed with knowledge - There is a book by Gail Sheehy called Passages that is supposed to be great on the subject. Good luck to you through this tough time - the mfp group is here for you!

Your lucky, at 40 I was having similiar problems and they put me on the pill, almost died from the blood clot. Luckily I didn't. But a few years later I had a partial hystorectomy but hormones were were still a problem. Night sweats and flashes ever since.. I am now 61 and still have them although lighter now. Make sure they check your thyroid too, it causes major problems and goes undiagnosed way too often. I had that too. Good luck.

I didn't mean to make it sound like I was pro-hormone therapy. I think I emphasized that too much. I just wanted to make sure you knew you had options and that you knew that your doctor has the responsibility to guide you through this change in whatever manner you both think is best.

I wish you the best. Keep your chin up

Sorry to hear about your bad new but I am 39 and I have been menopausal for the past 5 years. I embrace not having a period with the mess and the cramps but 5 years later I have night sweats like nobody's business.

I was done menopause at 42 started it when I was 37, could not go by my mom or sisters either.

Good luck...hope you're feeling better soon.

I was diagnosed by blood test just prior to my 40th birthday. Everyone who hasn't gone through it yet thinks it sounds wonderful to not have your period, but when you get there it feels like crap! You feel old, even if you aren't. Your whole body and mood changes and it feels terrible. You no longer have a libido and it is like having PMS 24/7 only now you are a hot sweaty mess too.

If you are allergic to estrogen then what I am doing will not likely work for you, but if you would like to talk about it, I am here!

I totally understand the shock and how it makes you feel. I had to have a total hysterectomy 11 years ago (I am 35 now). It was like whammo over night. It is not the end though, these have been some really great years especially not dealing with TOM and planning trips with what to wear, what supplies are needed. You may have some rough patches, but believe me it gets better. Take care of yourself, eat healthy and take vitamins. Look at the positives and not the negatives. I did take estrogen for about 2 years and had to go off for a blood clot. So I have experience with going through this with and without it. If you need any help or just want to vent, feel free to add me as a friend or message me. Hang in there, it does get better.

Ive just been diagnosed with premature menopause, I had a blood test as I have been having night sweats doctor rang me this morning to say I am post menopausal or going through the menopause and he was shocked that I have been getting periods as normal. I feel so upset and just old, I know Im 43 but I just thought I had another 10 years before it would happen. He said I am unlikely to get periods after 6 months or so. I even had PMT this month (but no period).

I have had a bad few months, I was put on contraceptive pill for 2 months in the summer, reacted badly to it (hives, migraine, hair loss, appetite increase, dramatic mood swings) and when I stopped taking it I put on 30lbs within 2 months. (which could have been menopausal). Ive had 3 lots of blood tests and finally this month they tested my hormone levels. Sorry to go on a bit, just I guess in shock.My Mum never had menopause as she had a hysterectomy so hard to know what to think.

Sweetie. You're not old. I know what you are going through. I am also 43 and on Thursday had what they call a RADICAL Hysterectomy. They take everything. Ovaries, tubes, Uterus and cervix. This will send me straight into Menopause since the Ovaries are what control your hormones. It is NOT a sign of getting OLD I look at it as a sign of FREEDOM. Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her work is of being a Baby machine is DONE! It is like retirement ONLY for women. It is a time when you can Focus now on what YOU want to do with your life without the worry of having another child. (even if all you have is one child). Don't look at it as something coming to an end or getting old. I am enjoying the fact that all that worry and responsibility of not getting pregnant is taken off my shoulders. I am SO HAPPY that I will not have to deal with my cycle anymore (you can enjoy that when it stops which I hope is soon for you) Work with your doctor to see the best way for YOU to get through to the other side. Just relax and enjoy the extra youthful time of retirement!!!

I had primary ovarian failure (basically going into menopause early) at about 34 yrs old, so i had a very bad time psychologically. not having had kids yet and lots of horrible side effects of loss of estrogen (severe depression, sweats, you name it). Regardless of the facts that I had had blood clots in the past, I insisted on estrogen replacement or I knew I might commit suicide, my depression was that bad. I've had to try a few different types and am not on a birth control pill that works except for occasional heavy breakthrough bleeding. When I hear women complain about their PMS and periods I want to hit them....I still get PMS-y when I have bleeding, but with no likelihood of it being a real period.

It will take time but just try to to find ways to be okay with it. If you have children already consider yourself very lucky.

I started down that road in my early 40's....night sweats, chills, hot flashes, mood swings, missed or short TOM's... confirmed by blood tests. I am now 48 and still have TOM's, just not "as usual", so don't put much faith in the 6 month time line from the doc. From talking to multiple GYN's over the years the peri menopause process can last up to 15 years (or more). They don't consider you menopausal until you have been without TOM for a full year. Thank goodness I don't have the sweats and hot flashes anymore, and not much of the mood swings. TOM shows up when it feels like it...2 weeks, 2 months... without much warning. I couldn't do HRT, I did try a couple different anti depressants years ago, but they seemed to make the mood swings and sweats worse. The thing that seems to have helped me the most is watching what I eat... lower carb (low "whites"), low fat, low sugar and no soy. I still gained weight, but I seem to be have an easier time of losing it this time around.