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[Machair]

Does anyone on here know if it is now recommended to have investigations if you still have periods at 55? Indeed is anyone here like myself and in this age group? I will be 55 in March and am still having periods but they are infrequent now and very light. Still have all the build up and PMT though!

[Rowan]

I would say no, lots of women are still having periods at 55, my mum was one of them and perfectly healthy.

I have a partial hysterectomy at 53 for a fibroid but kept cervix and ovaries ( my surgeon said they were very healthy) I continued spotting almost every month ( also normal) until I was 56 then it stopped.

I think you are healthy and normal Machair, I don't see the point of putting yourself through unnecessary tests which just cause anxiety.

Some ladies can continue with periods much later then then 55 and are lucky to keep their native  estrogen and progesterone, keeping their body and bones healthy.

[Machair]

Thank you so much Silverlady that is so helpful. 

[Hurdity]

I agree with silverlady - in fact you are in quite a substantial minority - it is not a rarity. The information on this site says:

Late menopause may also occur but by the age of 54, 80% of women will have stopped having periods

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/menopause.php (scroll down)

The key factor in your case is not only did you not go 12 months without a period, but you are having pre-menstrual symptoms - indicative of hormone function, and that your periods are infrequent and light. The time to worry is if you were still having problems with periods and I would suggest if you were 55 and having heavy periods I would go to the doc because fibroids can develop and sometimes worsen.

Yes, you are lucky in that you are putting off menopause and having natural oestrogen for longer, as well as testosterone!

Hurdity x

[susie56]

I had periods until 58! I think the average age of menopause is just that - an average. some will be before some after. Having said that the doc did send me for a scan at 56 to check everything. All was well, the radiographer said one ovary still looked active- and it was!

[thorntrees]

Hi Machair, I had my last period at age 56. I had a three month gap then a period and that was it. Apart from a few heavier ones in the final couple of years they were more or less normal until the end. At the time I never thought it was unusual until I went for  my three yearly smear test when I was 55 and the nurse seemed very surprised I was still having periods, in fact I'm not sure she believed me !!. Unfortunately once post menopause I got the usual symptoms of sweats, flushes etc but at least my bones got a bit of extra help having estrogen for longer.

Thorntrees