What are some of the very first symptoms you noticed that you were heading towards the "change"? And how long is the process from the first sign until you are done with periods? I think I might need to start researching this..... not sure though!

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - 01:25 pm:

HTH

http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/guide-perimenopause

By Happynerdmom on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - 01:59 pm:

Thanks for the link, Trina. Funny this should come up now...I think I had my first hot flash about a week ago! I was in bed and suddenly felt unbearably hot and flushed all over, and couldn't get the covers off quickly enough. This was very unusual, because I'm usually freezing all the time! I thought I was getting a fever or something, then it hit me- I think this is a hot flash! I hope it doesn't get too bad too quickly- I'm only 41. They say to go by the age your mom began menopause, but my mom had a hysterectomy at 26, so that's no help!

By Vicki on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - 03:24 pm:

Yes, thanks for the link. I did a little reading after I posted that I maybe I am not starting. I turned 40 in September, but really only have one of the symptoms that is something new. Thanks goodness, no hot flashes yet!!

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - 03:33 pm:

I have no idea when my mom went through the change. It wasn't something she talked about. All I know is that my periods are regular, like clockwork every month, and I'm going to be 48 next month.

I think I do get hot flashes, sometimes, though. Yesterday, I was outside, on the playground, in a cold wind, and all of a sudden I was almost too hot for my winter jacket! It was so weird. I've also been hot, when waking up in the morning and can't get the covers off fast enough, too.

I had a patient in the past few weeks or so, who told me she was in menopause, when I asked when her last menstrual period was, and while we were talking, mantioned that it had been about 5 or 6 weeks ago! So, not really in menopause. You have to go a whole year, before you can consider yourself done.

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - 04:56 pm:

I'm getting Lupron injections now to prepare for my upcoming hysterectomy. They have temporarily put my body into menopause. I'm getting a sneak preview of what's yet to come. LOL! I get several hot flashes daily and am also experiencing night sweats, headaches, fatigue and aching bones. Just saw my GYN last week and see confirmed that's all part of the package. I'm looking forward to getting this surgery over and going back to normal.

By Livvy on Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 10:23 am:

I just found out that I am menopausal. I hadn't had a period since Christmas and finally went to OB/GYN to find out why. They did blood work and found that all of my hormone levels showed menopause EXCEPT my estrogen level. That level was very high, which means I am still making estrogen. They decided to put me on Provera pills for 12 days to see if it would kick start my period. I am on day 5 of that pill. I have to let them know if me period does or doesn't start and we will go from there.

I don't have any bad symptoms (knock on wood.) I havent had a period in 3 months (which is great) and I do feel the need to go to the bathroom more frequently but that is it.

I am only 43 (44 in Spetember) but my Mom was 46 when she started menopause. Both my Mom, sister and I started our periods when we were 16 years old. My Mom said that she has always heard that the later you start your period, the sooner you start menopause.

By Marcia on Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 02:31 pm:

I went for my physical in August, and at that point I hadn't had a period for a year. I had no signs of menopause, other than the lack of a period. The doctor said that after a year without, they consider you've gone through menopause. She did my blood levels, but I didn't hear anything from her. She doesn't call unless something is wrong.
Well, a few months passed by, and it was back!! Fifteen months without, and I'm having to put up with that crap again! I've never been close to regular, even on the strongest fertility meds, so I've only had it twice since November.
When I went back to the doc about a month ago, I asked about my levels. She told me they were completely normal. I guess I didn't get out of it as easily as I had thought!

By Lorebunde on Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 09:30 pm:

I've started menopause and am age 48. My period was always regular and it seems as soon as I was diagnosed underactive thryoid, thats when things started. It stopped and started and the last one was last August. Funny,also, is I'll get hot flashes 2-3 days and then that stops. Haven't gotten one in a while. My mom was about 55 when her's started.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, March 9, 2008 - 12:00 am:

I'm going to be 48, on Wednesday and mine are still as regular as clockwork. I get the stringy mucous mid-month, the sore boobs, everything! My periods are a little heavier and a little crampier, than they used to be, though.