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[Dandelion22]

Hi Everyone,
I have recently joined the forum as I have been experiencing some symptoms of the perimenopause and my GP thinks this is the case but has not offered me any tests of any kind.  I have had some very strange symptoms and some recognised ones!  In the early stages I had a feeling of fluttering up and down my legs, like an electric current!  This passed after a month or so.  I have suffered for the past two years with silent reflux which definitely gets worse before my period is due.  I am currently experiencing bad joint and muscle pains, particularly in my left shoulder and in my hips and knees when I am getting out of a chair.  I got to an exercise class once a week which I think is helping.  However, my periods are still very regular in timing and length although just lately I have had really bad period pains, something I have never really suffered from, they have been very heavy with bad clotting but now seem a bit lighter. I have never had a hot flush of any sort!  Have any of you had a similar experience and if so how long roughly am I from the menopause.  I am nearly 54 years old.
Thanks

[CLKD]

 

Browse round.  Make notes!  As oestrogen levels drop the body dries out: inside and out, nostrils, vagina, skin .... as oestrogen levels drop so muscles may become lax = aches and pains: frozen shoulder is common during The Change as is the start of digestive problems, i.e. acid reflux 

It does get better 

[Dandelion22]

It is reassuring to know you have experienced the same. I haven't missed a period at all but have had the other symptoms for about 4 yrs. I have started to keep a daily diary to see if anything connects together. My sister went into menopause proper when she was 53 but it seems I'm going to be way behind that! I am so glad I joined the forum, I'm sure all your support will be invaluable in the months to come

[nearly50]

Welcome to the forum. Maybe worth going back to your doctor and asking for blood tests to see  your vitamin D, ferritin and thyroid levels.

[Dandelion22]

Oh I can't wait! Maybe this might be the month!

[Machair]

Hi Dandelion

Welcome to the forum- so lovely to have you here!

I am one of the older ladies here -56 almost 57. I was regular until 53 so a little bit earlier than you are starting I think. My periods are now very light and infrequent, but I still have a lot of high oestrogen signs at times, so I don't think I am finished yet.

It is so nice to have another kindred spirit as many of my friends finished almost a decade ago, so please stay on here and let us know how you are doing.  I used to feel very isolated with regard to peri until I joined this forum, and made friends with Sparkle and Elizabeth Rose in particular who are my rocks! I think being outside the average for anything can be isolating. I think there are many more of us than is thought in this age group, as many don't seek medical advice or have their ages surveyed. The magic age of 52 that is always quoted may no longer be the right average, and we may not be freaks at all but more normal than we think!

[Hurdity]

Hi Dandelion22

  from me too.

Re the age of menopause etc - the average age of menopause (in the west?) is around 51/52 - and an average is just that - there will be lots of women above and below that age. There is a greater age range below this age (ie some women have a very early menopause even in their 20's) - which means that more women will be represented in the few years above this - to arrive at the figure for the average age. According to this website 80 % of women have reached menopause by age 54 - which leaves 20 % who haven't which is a substantial minority!!! Therefore not unusual at all - rest assured! It is unfortunate it seems that doctors often tell women they are unusual in still having periods etc at 55 or 56 when in fact the statistics do not necessarily bear this out (I wonder if the stats are available for the various ages for women at each year in their 50's?). Also of course those who take HRT before they reach menopause - will never know their menopausal age - so this may distort the figures.....

I digress - but it is an interesting subject!

Re your periods - yes it sounds classic - that your periods change even while still regular, and increasing pms is also common. If you are interested in looking at the different stages you might like to read this paper ( quite technical but easy to follow) - Stages of Reproductive Ageing ( or STRAW for short!) http://www.imsociety.org/downloads/email_downloads/2012_02_16_1773491/straw10.pdf

In the meantime - before the dreaded peri-menopause strikes ( well it might be fine in your case!) do take the opportinity to make sure you are in tip-top condition if you can - re lifestyle - weight, diet, exercise, etc yes keep up the exercise classes - but especially pay attention to your diet and if necessary change it so that you do not become deficient in any vitamins or minerals.

Hurdity x

[Dandelion22]

Hi
Thank you for your post, I came on here eventually because like you say you begin to feel that there is something wrong with you because you are not 'normal'  I am already feeling support from all the lovely ladies who have posted their comments.  Most of my friends are younger than me and have no idea really what I am talking about, but they will do one day!  I think the most frustrating thing for me is that every day seems to be different, different symptoms, different feelings and there doesn't seem to be a pattern but I am now starting a diary to see if there is a connection that I haven't seen.  I will post again when anything momentous happens until then I will just keep trying to stay on top of everything x
Hi Dandelion

Welcome to the forum- so lovely to have you here!

I am one of the older ladies here -56 almost 57. I was regular until 53 so a little bit earlier than you are starting I think. My periods are now very light and infrequent, but I still have a lot of high oestrogen signs at times, so I don't think I am finished yet.

It is so nice to have another kindred spirit as many of my friends finished almost a decade ago, so please stay on here and let us know how you are doing.  I used to feel very isolated with regard to peri until I joined this forum, and made friends with Sparkle and Elizabeth Rose in particular who are my rocks! I think being outside the average for anything can be isolating. I think there are many more of us than is thought in this age group, as many don't seek medical advice or have their ages surveyed. The magic age of 52 that is always quoted may no longer be the right average, and we may not be freaks at all but more normal than we thin

[Dandelion22]

Hi Hurdity,
Thanks for the information on the paper, I will definitely read it, I have seen a number of different doctors at my surgery and they all can't believe that I am still having my periods and they are regular, I don't think they know what to say then and change the subject!  I have had my iron/ferratin levels checked and they were ok and my weight is good.  In myself I actually do feel well, it all these little sidelines that keep happening to me that makes me feel quite fed up!
x
Hi Dandelion22

  from me too.

Re the age of menopause etc - the average age of menopause (in the west?) is around 51/52 - and an average is just that - there will be lots of women above and below that age. There is a greater age range below this age (ie some women have a very early menopause even in their 20's) - which means that more women will be represented in the few years above this - to arrive at the figure for the average age. According to this website 80 % of women have reached menopause by age 54 - which leaves 20 % who haven't which is a substantial minority!!! Therefore not unusual at all - rest assured! It is unfortunate it seems that doctors often tell women they are unusual in still having periods etc at 55 or 56 when in fact the statistics do not necessarily bear this out (I wonder if the stats are available for the various ages for women at each year in their 50's?). Also of course those who take HRT before they reach menopause - will never know their menopausal age - so this may distort the figures.....

I digress - but it is an interesting subject!

Re your periods - yes it sounds classic - that your periods change even while still regular, and increasing pms is also common. If you are interested in looking at the different stages you might like to read this paper ( quite technical but easy to follow) - Stages of Reproductive Ageing ( or STRAW for short!) http://www.imsociety.org/downloads/email_downloads/2012_02_16_1773491/straw10.pdf

In the meantime - before the dreaded peri-menopause strikes ( well it might be fine in your case!) do take the opportinity to make sure you are in tip-top condition if you can - re lifestyle - weight, diet, exercise, etc yes keep up the exercise classes - but especially pay attention to your diet and if necessary change it so that you do not become deficient in any vitamins or minerals.

Hurdity

[Elizabethrose]

Hi Dandelion22,   

Your symptoms are all very common in peri so welcome to the club!!

Don't worry about your age at all, I'll be 58 when I finally reach meno but that is only if I don't have another sneaky bleed. I don't think the stats exist re percentage of women not through at my age but I've been told by some leading specialists that the figures are very very low. However, we exist, and the specialist docs are not in the least concerned about it as long as we are aware of what our bodies are doing. There appear to be health benefits of a late menopause, lots of press recently about increased longevity, but it can be awfully wearing if your peri symptoms are troublesome and carry on for years. There's nothing worse than dismissive comments from other women implying you shouldn't be moaning about it, more annoying in fact than the women who imply you are a freak for not having reached meno!

There are lots of relevant threads that may be of interest to you so have a browse round the site and if you have any specific questions, post a new thread in the relevant section.

Nice to have you join us! x

[jaz29]

[

Hi Dandelion22,   

Your symptoms are all very common in peri so welcome to the club!!

Don't worry about your age at all, I'll be 58 when I finally reach meno but that is only if I don't have another sneaky bleed. I don't think the stats exist re percentage of women not through at my age but I've been told by some leading specialists that the figures are very very low. However, we exist, and the specialist docs are not in the least concerned about it as long as we are aware of what our bodies are doing. There appear to be health benefits of a late menopause, lots of press recently about increased longevity, but it can be awfully wearing if your peri symptoms are troublesome and carry on for years. There's nothing worse than dismissive comments from other women implying you shouldn't be moaning about it, more annoying in fact than the women who imply you are a freak for not having reached meno!

There are lots of relevant threads that may be of interest to you so have a browse round the site and if you have any specific questions, post a new thread in the relevant section.

Nice to have you join us! x

quote author=Dandelion22 link=topic=34782.msg555908#msg555908 date=1486048366]
Hi Everyone,
I have recently joined the forum as I have been experiencing some symptoms of the perimenopause and my GP thinks this is the case but has not offered me any tests of any kind.  I have had some very strange symptoms and some recognised ones!  In the early stages I had a feeling of fluttering up and down my legs, like an electric current!  This passed after a month or so.  I have suffered for the past two years with silent reflux which definitely gets worse before my period is due.  I am currently experiencing bad joint and muscle pains, particularly in my left shoulder and in my hips and knees when I am getting out of a chair.  I got to an exercise class once a week which I think is helping.  However, my periods are still very regular in timing and length although just lately I have had really bad period pains, something I have never really suffered from, they have been very heavy with bad clotting but now seem a bit lighter. I have never had a hot flush of any sort!  Have any of you had a similar experience and if so how long roughly am I from the menopause.  I am nearly 54 years old.
Thanks
[/quote]

[jaz29]

Hi, I am new to this forum, thank goodness my doctor recommended it, I am in peri menopause, 54 yrs of age, I have been experiencing anxiety, tears lots of them, most recently pins and needles like pains in arms, am I normal! Or is this to do with the menopause, taking vitamin d, magnesium and star flower, help with sleepless nights would be helpful, thank you.

[Dandelion22]

Hi, one of the first symptoms I had was pins and needles in my arms and hands, it was really scary as sometimes it would come on when I was driving and my hands would just start to go numb.  When I spoke to my Dr they said I was having panic attacks, I went back as I felt so frightened and eventually one of the Drs thought it could be peri menopause and everything clicked into place. Eventually it just went away, it lasted about 2 months. Once I knew it was probably that I became a lot calmer but have had lots of different symptoms but still regular periods. I am pleased I joined the forum, you realise you are not on your own. Keep in touch, we are the same age

[jaz29]

Thank you so much, I am not going mad then. Its really useful to know your not alone, my friends are younger than me, I try to explain some of my symptoms, but they don't understand. Thank you again 

[Machair]

jaz29 and Dandelion22 you are very welcome to join this thread, which I really should rename later menopause, as it has become exactly that- a place for us latecomers to talk about our experiences which are often a little different to the average.http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,31902.0.html.

Some of us seem to have a lot of oestrogen at times, and it is really helpful to follow our stories as some of us are now reaching a glimmer of light at the other side, all be it about 5 years later than we are led to believe is the average.

I am not sure we are as late as we are made to believe as more and more of us seem to fall into this category now.My great gran had a baby around the age of 50 when many ladies were menopausal. We are all so different but we can support each other so you are very welcome and should find friendship and comfort here.