What age did your menopause start? How long did it last.

Bonnie - posted on 10/03/2010

As long as you are still having your periods, it is call Peri-Menopause. The Dr's. don't call it Menopause until your periods have stopped for a full year.

I had brain surgery in June and have not had my period since. They say it sometimes happens when a person has a critical surgery. I'm just glad they're gone....LOL I have been taking Black Cohosh and drinking Soy milk the past 2 weeks and I must say, the hot flashes are a lot lighter.....even my sex drive is coming back. :) Now, I'm working on the weight gain thing but I am still on the medication that made me gain weight so that could take a while.

Amy - posted on 09/12/2010

I started mine around 38, 39 but the doctor said I was too you. No I am 43 and she told me yes I do have it. I still get my periods but I get heat flashes, dixxiness. Mood swings. Sex drive is not there. Gaining weight, Hair falling out of my head and others. I came on this group to see what others experience and how they diel with it. My doctor will not give me estrogen or any hormonal meds. I have sinus headaches 24/7 since I was 21 and allergies. My breasts get tender and sore. Even if I go in the cold they hurt. I have had it for 6 years and counting.

Yvonne - posted on 08/31/2010

Hi Sarah, I had my 48th birthday this year and for the naxt 6 to 8 weeks expeienced hot flashes at regular intervals. Especially and night. (So annoying) I went to the Dr. who did a series of blood tests, the response I am peri- menopausal. Funny thing is the hot flashes disappeared the week after I went to the Dr.
I had a 2 month break from my periods and now they are back to normal. But for me I’m finding that emotionally I’m a mess. Reading the symptoms I’m putting it down to the peri-menapause. So that I don’t put people off, I’m keeping my contact to a minimum otherwise I’m likely to fall apart. The most annoying thing I’m finding is it’s making me focus to much on myself (just getting through the day) and I therefore don’t have much left to be able to enjoy or focus on others.

Hence I joined this group so I could know I was “normal” whatever that is.

Bonnie - posted on 08/17/2010

Hi Sarah. I was told about 10 years ago that I was Peri-Menopausal as I was starting to have hot flashes, etc. Well, it seems that I am still peri-menopausal all these years later. According to my Dr. my period has to stop for a full year before they say it is Menopause. My period stopped for about 3 months last year then came back with a vengeance and I bled every day for about 4 months until April, 2010 then it stopped and I haven't had it since. I hope it's gone for good but the hot flashes and night sweats are really hard to take. I just started taking Black Cohosh but so far it isn't helping. I see my Dr. and my Gynecologist in 2 weeks, so it will be interesting to see what they say.

I hope you are doing ok.