Long time waiting

[Gelis]

I'd be interested to know how long each of you have been/were peri-menopausal. I've been experiencing symptoms for 11 years now, and my periods still haven't stopped - although much more erratic. Someone please tell me that the end is in sight! I'm posting a poll so you can be anonymous if you want (and gives an "at a glance" view).

Gxx

[gobe]

I was peri for about 4 years so ticked the first box.

[Poppy]

What a good idea gelis.

Definitely at least 6 years so far.

Although, think my hormones never quite got back to normal after the birth of my 4th child, 13 years ago.

Many peri symptoms started when my periods returned when she was 7 months old.

So probably more than 10 years.

[Robyn]

I went with the "more than 2 years" but it's a bit hard to say really. My specific symptoms (insomnia, hot flushes etc) have been around for about two years, but for a number of years prior to that I think I had some non-specific symptoms of weight gain, frequent peeing at night etc.

[susan]

Only just noticed this. I went for more than 5. I am pretty sure it was eight or niine.

I never know if the first complete year you go without a period is considered to be your last year of peri-menopause, or your first year of post menopause.

xxxx

[jacksfullofaces]

Perhaps it is just me but I get quite annoyed at the phrase post menopause. Once in menopause you never exit it so post seems somewhat inaccurate.Where do these medical people get these phrases?
Jacks xxx

[susan]

I also think that post menopause is used a lot as it is common parlance and many women who maybe aren't as interested in all this stuff as we are, have a good grasp of what it means at least to them (ie a year after their periods have gone.

Maybe that is why it is still commonly referred to in that manner - it sort of saves lots of wordy explanations, and GP's use it when determining if to prescribe a bleed HRT or a non-bleed HRT. Well mine did.

Bellacioa, I remember that chart, I think you must have sent it to me in a previous life lol.

With year 0 being date of amenorrhea & post being subdivided into early post meno of initial 2 years, then 3 - 6 years being the later part of early post and year 6 onwards being referred to as 'remaining lifespan'.

For some bizarre reason I felt better thinking I was 'early post' (just about) than 'remaining lifespan'

xxxx

[nelle]

I am 46 years old, never had any children and I have been having the mood swings,, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness (BAD) and more mood swings for about 3 1/2 years. All I know is I wish my periods would stop!!!!!!!!!!!

I am glad to have read this post, as I knew according to my doc that peri-meno was until you stopped your period for a complete 12 months, but then I thought you went into meno and then after that post, which I though (stupid me) that meant that you were no long to ever go through meno again. WRONG!

[susan]

Hi Nelle

I'm with Bella on this, in so far as once you are in the post meno period or your life mood swings and anxiety do settle and your moods become much more constant.

I think it is the huge hormonal fluctuations during peri-menopause that make you want to burst out crying one moment or kill someone the next.

But as said being post menopause in the sense of ones natural periods drying up and ovaries closling down can bring a load of other problems. But mine were physical rather than mental.

Draining hot flushes and vaginal atrophy that was so bad it was like someone had shoved a red hot poker inside me.

I have been very lucky as I went on HRT three years post menopause and that has got rid of all these nightmare symptoms so hope to stay on it for ever, if my Doctors allow it.

But then I didn't have HRT when I was peri-menopause, so i just blundered about for 7 or 8 years like a maniac either crying or screaming at people, just be comforted that at some point that often just goes on it's own.

Sometimes I am amazed that I am still married and still have my job the way I must have been coming across to people.

xxxx

Ive written a bit about vaginal dryness/atrophy on one of your other posts. I think this will be something that you can actually deal with so at least will be one less thing to be bothered with.