Bernice
05-22-2003, 01:16 PM
When do women start going through menopause? I'm 39 years old. What are the symptoms of menopause? How long does menopause last?
Thank You,
Bernice
Thank You,
Bernice
Sponsor
MrsKramden
05-22-2003, 03:04 PM
:) HELLO, BERNICE !
The questions you've asked do not have a 1 + 1 = 2 answer, unfortunately. Since you are wondering, it must mean that you may have been noticing changes in yourself lately , is that right ?
I for one began peri-menopause at 38 and just recently went into menopause at age 43 (in three months I will be 44). That's condsidered early but not unusual.
What symptoms are you getting ? Every woman experiences it differently.There are about 100 symptoms, though , but do not worry, you don't get all 100.
By getting a FSH test done, your doctor can give you an idea .(Get complete blood work done, too).They can let you know if you've entered peri-menopause, the period of time which leads you up to menopause.
Be sure to visit this board often as it is very helpful and filled with many supportive posters from various locations.
The questions you've asked do not have a 1 + 1 = 2 answer, unfortunately. Since you are wondering, it must mean that you may have been noticing changes in yourself lately , is that right ?
I for one began peri-menopause at 38 and just recently went into menopause at age 43 (in three months I will be 44). That's condsidered early but not unusual.
What symptoms are you getting ? Every woman experiences it differently.There are about 100 symptoms, though , but do not worry, you don't get all 100.
By getting a FSH test done, your doctor can give you an idea .(Get complete blood work done, too).They can let you know if you've entered peri-menopause, the period of time which leads you up to menopause.
Be sure to visit this board often as it is very helpful and filled with many supportive posters from various locations.
Karla
05-22-2003, 03:42 PM
Hot flashes and irregular menstral cycle are the biggest signs I think. Their are other minor ones.
Bernice
05-22-2003, 04:09 PM
The only symptom I have (which I'm not sure is a sumptom) is the last 2 months, the first 2-3 days my periods are heavier and last about 5 days. Sometimes this would happen but not 2 months in a row. Maybe one month every 4-5 months. Usually the first 2 days would be somewhat heavy but my periods would last 5-7 days. On the first 2 days my periods are heavier, I get more, painful cramps. On days when my periods aren't as heavy, the cramps aren't as bad. Is this a sign of menopause?
Thank You,
Bernice
Thank You,
Bernice
Bernice
05-22-2003, 04:14 PM
I forgot to mention. On the first 2-3 days when my period starts, I feel full and bloated. I'm not hungrey at all. I'll eat something light for dinner (because I'm not hungrey until then) and that's it. I feel full all day. Is this a sign of menopause?
Thank You,
Bernice
Thank You,
Bernice
MrsKramden
05-23-2003, 10:59 AM
Heavier than usual periods and loss of appetite can be peri-menopausal symtoms, but they can be many other things, too.
Some women get clotting, heavy or light periods (I had light). A big tip off is when you start skipping periods, though.Even skipping periods can mean other things. That's why the FSH test has to be done, as well as an internal exam and whatever lab tests your gynecologist recommends. I had a ton because the symptom was nausea-and that could mean millions of things.I was also skipping a lot of periods and had one very bad crampy period -it hurt so much it scared me .I had never had a period like that before.
Even skipping periods may not mean peri or menopause.
I was so hot for like ten years before menopause. I could not tolerate heat.But I didn't get hot flashes,(more like infrequent blushing for 30 seconds) just hated heat, even drinking hot beverages.
Will you be going to the doctor soon to be tested ? I'd be interested to know what happens.
Some women get clotting, heavy or light periods (I had light). A big tip off is when you start skipping periods, though.Even skipping periods can mean other things. That's why the FSH test has to be done, as well as an internal exam and whatever lab tests your gynecologist recommends. I had a ton because the symptom was nausea-and that could mean millions of things.I was also skipping a lot of periods and had one very bad crampy period -it hurt so much it scared me .I had never had a period like that before.
Even skipping periods may not mean peri or menopause.
I was so hot for like ten years before menopause. I could not tolerate heat.But I didn't get hot flashes,(more like infrequent blushing for 30 seconds) just hated heat, even drinking hot beverages.
Will you be going to the doctor soon to be tested ? I'd be interested to know what happens.
mlgable
05-23-2003, 11:34 AM
Peri menopause can start at any age and 39 is certainly not to young. Check out the posts on the menopause board here to find out everything you want to know about menopuase and perimenopause.
Bernice
05-23-2003, 02:02 PM
I just had an internal exam in Feb and she said everything was fine. I haven't skipped a period yet. What is a FSH test? What is perimenopause?
Thank You,
Bernice
Thank You,
Bernice
MrsKramden
05-23-2003, 07:28 PM
Originally posted by Bernice:
I just had an internal exam in Feb and she said everything was fine. I haven't skipped a period yet. What is a FSH test? What is perimenopause?
Thank You,
Bernice
Well the universal thing is usually getting irregular periods due to the hormone fluctuations.
A Follicle Stimulating Hormone test is a test done to measure follicle stimulating hormone.Normally, our bodies produce enough FSH to cause an egg to be released every month. During peri-menopause, FSH decreases and that's why the periods become irregular. The scale is 0 - 100 with 100 being menopause.(Sometimes if you score in the 90s, you can be in Menopause). I was at "37" when I was first tested- a positive score for peri-menopause. You would get a 0 if you are not in peri-menopause yet.Double check with your doctor about this as I speak only from my own experience and the scale that my doctor uses.
Peri-menopause is the period of time leading up to Menopause. Menopause is the ceasing of menstruation.It has not been till recent years that peri-menopause has gotten much attention.The tricky thing : it's different for every woman. It can start any time and take various lengths of time to reach menopause. I had been closely monitored and was tested and found out fairly close to the end of my peri-menopause.Than , 9 months later, tested as menopause.So I'd say that was pretty quick. But that's just me, everyone is different.
If you are not in peri-menopause, than you may have a hormone imbalance. I had a hormone imbalance during my entire mensus. That's what brings on acne, cramps, headaches, various symptoms.I never took any medication for it though as it was not an issue and I was functional.
Peri-menopause is pre-menopause. Sometimes that can be more bothersome than the actual menopause.
I just had an internal exam in Feb and she said everything was fine. I haven't skipped a period yet. What is a FSH test? What is perimenopause?
Thank You,
Bernice
Well the universal thing is usually getting irregular periods due to the hormone fluctuations.
A Follicle Stimulating Hormone test is a test done to measure follicle stimulating hormone.Normally, our bodies produce enough FSH to cause an egg to be released every month. During peri-menopause, FSH decreases and that's why the periods become irregular. The scale is 0 - 100 with 100 being menopause.(Sometimes if you score in the 90s, you can be in Menopause). I was at "37" when I was first tested- a positive score for peri-menopause. You would get a 0 if you are not in peri-menopause yet.Double check with your doctor about this as I speak only from my own experience and the scale that my doctor uses.
Peri-menopause is the period of time leading up to Menopause. Menopause is the ceasing of menstruation.It has not been till recent years that peri-menopause has gotten much attention.The tricky thing : it's different for every woman. It can start any time and take various lengths of time to reach menopause. I had been closely monitored and was tested and found out fairly close to the end of my peri-menopause.Than , 9 months later, tested as menopause.So I'd say that was pretty quick. But that's just me, everyone is different.
If you are not in peri-menopause, than you may have a hormone imbalance. I had a hormone imbalance during my entire mensus. That's what brings on acne, cramps, headaches, various symptoms.I never took any medication for it though as it was not an issue and I was functional.
Peri-menopause is pre-menopause. Sometimes that can be more bothersome than the actual menopause.
Bernice
05-24-2003, 04:50 PM
Thanks everyone who replied to my post. I have another question. This month my period only lasted 4 days. My periods are usually 5-7 days. Is this a sign of menopause?
Thank You,
Bernice
Thank You,
Bernice