Hi All,

Happy New Year! I hope 2005 brings you all lots of health and happiness! I am 40, will be 41 in Feb. My mother started menopause at age 43. I was told by my gyno this year I was in perimenopause. I have some symptoms. My periods start every 20 days and last 2 days. I am having trouble sleeping, hair falls out, no sex drive at all and dryness. And I am in the mirror everyday, sometimes twice a day plucking those nasty black hairs from my face (I call it my beard and moustache, LOL!) I know that you are not officially in menopause until you have stopped having periods for 1 full year but can I have blood tests now to tell me I am positively in premenopause? And if I am, can I or should I start taking HRT now? I know some women and doctors feel we shouldn't take HRT, but I am very hairy and do not want all that facial hair (peach fuzz) to turn black, I have enough already to deal with. And the HRT does have other health benefits, and drawbacks. So, I am interested in some feedback on the blood tests and taking HRT or supplements before full blown menopause. Thanks for any info.
Tammy

Some doctors say that blood tests aren't a good way to determine your peri state because the hormones are in such flux that there is really no "snapshot" that can capture what is occuring all month...so you may or may not test positive depending what day you end up with the bloodwork (does this make sense?). As for HRT, this is something you should discuss with your doc because a family history is important. If there are certain cancers, your doc may not be eager to Rx the HRT.
There was a major study that discussed HRT...pluses/minuses. I think if you are suffering and your history doesn't contraindicate it, you could always use it temporarily and then get off of it once you feel better. I think this is more of a personal decision depending on how bothersome your symptoms are and how you feel about taking hormones.
Good luck and happy new year to you as well!

Thanks kittenlover!