question about menopause

**HandyMom** · 01-21-2006, 06:31 PM

I'll soon be 48 years old and have been going through what I thought was perimenopause for a couple years now.

But since about 3 months ago, my period has disappeared, along with hot flashes and other signs of menopause.

Is it too soon to think it's all over with? My Mom can't recall when her periods stopped but she thinks it was around age 55.

Just wondering if I should be worried about the lack of periods. I've had some recent health troubles and am on medication for blood pressure and thyroid problems.

I also hate going to the doctor and am still paying on bills from the last batch of tests they ran on me. I can't afford to go for more tests right now.

Any advice???

**forestdale** · 01-21-2006, 06:38 PM

hello handymom, I'm 57 now and I started menopause in my 40s. On the day my mother died (I was 45) I was having a period, I stopped that day and didn't have another one for a few years. Then had another one and nothing since.

Your lack of a period could be linked to your thyroid problem but I wouldn't go for a checkup unless you felt unwell. Menopause is different for everyone so there can be no clear cut answer to this.

I don't like going to the doctor either so I'd just take note of what's happening and if you're concerned, then go to the doctor. But what you've described could be totally normal.

**homesteadmamma** · 01-21-2006, 07:23 PM

I would worry about it too much. Menopause can start at any age and is different for every woman. It may be the medication for your thryoid, however your blood pressure pills should not stop your periods.

guest7 · 01-21-2006, 09:09 PM

I think you're just fine. Be happy. no periods. you're at the age when it should be stopping. You might have a few more priods here and there... But nothing to really worry about.
Lucky you!

**jlxian** · 01-24-2006, 03:00 PM

OMG I'm 52 and every month I hope that this will be the last one. What's worse is they have started coming every 3 weeks --- I guess that is a sign things are changing. And I used to freeze at night, now its "let me just have the sheet!" I'm ready to get this over with.

Handymom, a good friend of mine had her periods stop with her 50th birthday. She just never had anymore. So I think suddently stopping is very possible.

**i.m.cheap** · 01-24-2006, 09:03 PM

I am 44, and mine have been very irregular for the last four years. I even went eleven months without a period. The weird thing is, now they are as regular as clockwork for about the last four months. When they finally do stop, I sure won't miss them!

**mom2matty** · 01-24-2006, 11:38 PM

I am 43 and dealing with this now!!!!!! I have only had 2 periods in the last 7 months. I have been to see my doctor and have been tested for everything..........my Mom was completely through the change by 45 so I will probably be going through it early myself! My doctor has assured me that it is normal and if I were to go 1 full year without having a period I can consider myself through the change! For now my periods are just going to be sporatic and they could even go back to normal. I really don't like this not knowing business.......wish it would either go back to normal or stop all together!!!!!!!!

**HandyMom** · 01-25-2006, 06:51 PM

Well, I guess I am not so lucky. My period started the day after I posted. It lasted a whole two days, though. LOL

I went to see my doctor and he's sending me for a blood test to check the levels of the thyroid meds.

Then he gave me a script for an antidepressant Paroxetine (generic PAXIL). My Mom takes it and swears by it.

I hope it helps me. I have not been feeling myself in a long time.

**HandyMom** · 01-25-2006, 07:00 PM

jlxian - Oh My!! I know how you feel. I was having a period about every 20 days and that meant that often I would have 2 periods in the same month and they were not brief, light periods, either.

I can't wait for it to end.

**jlxian** · 01-26-2006, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by HandyMom
jlxian - Oh My!! I know how you feel. I was having a period about every 20 days and that meant that often I would have 2 periods in the same month and they were not brief, light periods, either.

I can't wait for it to end.

Yep, sounds like what I'm going through.

I hope the generic Paxil works for you! Good luck. I've been taking Wellbutrin XL for almost 2 years and I'm ready to try something else. I took Zoloft for ages, it worked well, but I wanted to see if a change would help me lose weight. The change didn't help me lose weight, and I'm not nearly as "normal" as I was taking the Zoloft. The last few months have been horrible --- I've been very weepy and moody --- No doubt made worse by hormonal changes too. So, let us know how the generic Paxil works!

**KimSecret** · 01-26-2006, 11:42 AM

The generic Paxil works very well. I took it for a while when they were having problems w/Paxil CR.

Ive been going through peri-menopause since my late 20's (Im now 35) and it stinks! The night sweats, mild hot flashes, moodiness,etc.

I hope you get to feeling better really soon!

**leeleeaub** · 02-02-2006, 02:23 AM

I had to have a total hysterectomy at 33. It threw me in to full menapause and the hot flashes were horrid. My mother said she never had a single hot flash she is 88 now and still has her ovaries but never had to take anything. I have read a lot about menapause and I think one of the first symptoms for most is hot flashes. You can find some really good information at www.webmd.com or just do a search at www.searchalot.com on menapausal symptoms

**SewCrafty** · 02-02-2006, 03:04 AM

IF you are able to take herbal remidies, I would start there. I have horrible hot flashes but mine are due to a partial hysterectormy (I have one ovary left) and having breast cancer. I am now on Tamoxifen for the breast cancer and Effexor to help with the hot flashes that the Tamoxifen intensifies.

Anyway not to put a damper on things but my mom had a total hysterectomy at 36 and is now 71 and still having hot flashes. I really hope mom (duckduckgoose007) didn't pass this on to me!

**joyb** · 02-21-2006, 07:28 PM

Menopause can be a bewildering time, that's for sure. My family couldn't understand what in the world was wrong with Mom. So finally I just told my husband and girls I was going through menopause and not to ask me about it again. I cried for no reason and was so depressed. We are all different and probably anything that is happening to you is "normal" for you. You do get through it I promise. I love not having to deal with cramps.

**HandyMom** · 02-21-2006, 07:42 PM

I've been taking the generic paxil for a while now and it's finally helping, I think. I am remarkably less tense and agitated. I never know when my period will be, though, they are so irregular.

I am also a little lazier than normal but I figure as long as I get out of bed everyday and do what is needed, it's better than hibernating (which is what I'd love to do in winter).