When does menopause officially begin?
rachmass1
Posts: 470 Member
When you cease mensus or when it starts to get funky (such as not having it for a while, then two periods in a month, etc.)? This may be a really stupid question but I am not sure, and figure others might feel the same.
51 years young here and didn't have a period for 3-4 months, then it starts back up. Have had on and off night sweats for around 4-years. I am trying to get my weight off before the "official" start of menopause as I understand it becomes increasingly difficult to lose weight after (and it is ridiculously hard now already).
51 years young here and didn't have a period for 3-4 months, then it starts back up. Have had on and off night sweats for around 4-years. I am trying to get my weight off before the "official" start of menopause as I understand it becomes increasingly difficult to lose weight after (and it is ridiculously hard now already).
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I was always under the assumption that menopause was official when a woman hasn't had her period for an entire year, and isn't pregnant or had a hysterectomy. It sounds like your body is on the way there, but isn't there quite yet, though. Just think of all the money you'll save on those special accessories! :blushing:0
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Whilst you are still having periods, even if they are erratic, and you are also experiencing other 'symptoms' like hot flushes, night sweats, disturbed sleep etc, you are "peri-menopausal". You have reached menopause when you haven't had a period for 12 months, I think.0
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Yes, I believe the year definition is correct.
And let me say, you are so smart for trying to lose some weight now. After my hysterectomy in April, I feel like I am running to catch up to the train that has left the station.0 -
Thanks guys. It did seem like a pretty stupid question but since this seems to vary from woman to woman when it actually starts, I thought I'd ask. The one-year without a cycle souns pretty sound and will go with that. Guess I have been peri-menopausal for years now.
Another question: do you folks get your hot flashes once you actually cease your period or does that vary too? My sister is 10-years older than me and just went through this a couple years ago, so it might not hit until close to 60 (wow, can't imagine getting preggers now, but it is possible I guess).0 -
The irregular periods is how my peri menopause began 2 years ago(after being calendar clockwork every month since 12!) then the mood swings now the mini hot flashes & weight gain.(and more cranky!)
Meanwhile I am due this week actually & feel SOOOOO bloated!
Just had appt with practioner this AM to ask about the estradiol patch but apparently you have to have stopped your periods (mine have actually gone back to being more regular this past year) to take that..she did some more bloodwork to see what my hormone levels are at & I may start taking effexor(sp?) to help with the irritability..
My symptoms are still fairly mild so I struggle with taking anything at this point...I may try black cohash & St John's Wort. Anyone use that combo?0 -
I understood the whole 12 months thing too.
However, Americans also tend to talk about the traaaaannnsssition (which seems so bloody slow) as "going through menopause". So I'd say that works too.
But yes, technically, if you're getting all the funky stuff but still bleeding, you're "peri-menopausal".
And that would be ME. :happy: :sad: :drinker: :bigsmile: :blushing:0 -
Hi I'm new around here I'll introduce myself on another thread.
I understand it to be 'after 12 months without a period' too, though a book I read recently did say that it is possible to be still in the peri-menopausal stage then too so to continue with contraception for a little longer and get your hormone levels checked.
I'm 52 now and definitely peri-menopausal. I haven't seen a period since January and that one was very very light in fact it was barely anything at all really. Prior to that I went from the previous September and previous to that February. I think I started somewhere around three years ago but can't be absolutely certain as I was going through alot of stress at the time with uncertainty about my job (that's come round again but this time I'm not going to that place again iykwim) and one of my sisters died right in the middle of the redundancy consultation period which pushed my stress levels through the roof and that has always affected my periods so I can't be certain. Especially as once the stress settled down I started up again regularly for about another 6 months or so.
I have always had some mood swings and a temper so I can't really tell much difference on that score. Hot flushes/night sweats - I have only ever had these when my periods haven't been there though I don't seem to get these so bad now that I have lost some weight. I also read that high blood pressure makes them worse and that could well be true in my case because my blood pressure has only ever gone up with my weight (unlike my husband who doesn't have a weight issue at all and his blood pressure was much higher then mine). I am struggling with sleep and tiredness problems but I also have rheumatoid arthritis so can't tell which are related to that and which is through being per-menopausal, could be either.
Wendy0
