I will be 51 in Feb and still have periods. I haven't missed a period. It might seem strange to say but I wish I would quit. I realize there are advantages to having a period. I am overweight and wonder if thats the reason I still have periods at least 50 pounds. I guess I think if I quit some of the peri symptoms will subside.

Linda M

Well I read posts further down and post about periods at 54 and 56. So I guess I have a way to go.

Linda M

Lin, I am 2 months shy of my 50th birthday and my period stopped about seven months ago. Don't miss it but the peri stuff continues. Its different for everyone...some of us have ALL the friggin symptoms and some have none. I'd rather just have the periods stop and that be it but mother nature likes to mess with us at times. lol Thank God I don't get the violent mood swings. I don't go into a rage or anything...just sometimes get moody with crying jags whenever a sad thought enters my mind. I have feelings of doom sometimes...I just met a wonderful man about 8 months ago and since everything is going so well and we are deeply in love I get feelings that something is bound to happen to rip it all apart. Its irrational thinking I know but it happens and I start to cry. Crying sometimes releases the tension I am feeling and my boyfriend tells me.."when the bucket it full you just have to empty it". He is just so understanding. No wonder I love him so much. :D

Hi Brandy, Thats wonderful your in love. I hope the relationship continues for as long as you wish.

I get mood swings and cry and loose my mind sometimes. I guess its just part of living as a woman. I just hope it gets easier.

Linda M

Hi Linma !

Well, I was one of those who menopaused earlier - at 43.It is indeed great.I just want you to know that you are not losing your mind -that's just how it feels during peri-menopause.I never got mental health symptoms, but what happens physically can make you think you're imaging things-it's that shock of seeing our body change (like with me it was/is dark circles on and under eyes,some freckles,eyelashes straightening,oh and the worst-osteoporosis!)

So accepting that these changes are ocurring is a difficult thing.And when one is in their early 40s and experiencing it, it's a shock.So just do what I did when I was going through it-blame everything on the peri-menopause.It turns out that most of it IS indeed from changing.Have good discussions about eveything with your gynecologist, though.He or she can reassure you.And at this time , if you are not completely satisfied w/your gnye, change doctors.You should have excellent care during the time you peri-menopause.