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[sadielouise78]

I'm completely shocked and confused about this.  I initially went to the doctors back in March 2017 as I was having really heavy periods lasting up to a month.  After a lot of appointments my FSH levels were checked as I was having night sweats and had been for probably a few years.  The test came back very low, like post-menopausal low.  I had another test three months later which was completely different showing my levels were normal.  My periods by this time has stopped.  I had a period in June which was long, heavy and painful (unlike what they used to be like pre-March) and the doctors were at a loss to what was going on so I was referred to a specialist.  He did blood tests and a pelvic scan (external and internal).  In December I had a four day bleed which was heavy with one day of flooding and a bit of pain.  I've just been back to the doctors today and have been told my FSH levels are very low, I'm not producing an eggs, the lining of my womb is very thin which all leads him to suggest I am post-menopausal.  I asked why I had the bleeding in December and he said it could be because I'm still on Cerelle (mini-pill).  He has suggested I stop taking it and use other contraceptives and see what happens.  If I have lots of bleeding he will see me again.  If I get any more night sweats (which sort of stop and start at the moment) I can see my doctor about HRT but as far as protecting me from early menopausal osteoporosis well it's over and done with so it's too late.  I have two step-children so I don't want any other children but I'm a bit shocked it's happened so early (my mum was in her 50's and he said we tend to follow our mothers) and also a little unsure and disbelieving.  He also mentioned about reversible menopause, that some people can go through menopause and then come back out of it but it tends to be for people that have medical problems such as auto-immune (which I don't) but still worries me.  Has this happened to anyone else?  Any advice would be good?  Thanks.

[Dotty]

Hi you are post menopausal when you haven't had a period for 12 months . FSH levels rise when you are post menopausal . During peri blood test results can be all over the place.

[Cassie]

I was exactly the same and it was a shock as my mom went over at the normal age in her 50s and I was 10 yrs earlier. Get some rub on gel and you will need a progesterone as well if you have a uterus or discuss hrt options with your Dr but it is very important to get onto HRT asap at your age, it will make a huge difference, I find the gels and the patches the best and they are reputed to be safest to use as well.  Mind you if you are on the pill then you will be getting some oestrogen coverage, I stopped the pill and found the gel to be working better for me. Loads of women on here started in their 40s you are not alone.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi sadielouise78 and welcome to MM
You are not alone with your experiences. You are basically having very typical peri menopausal symptoms. Your ovaries are slowly winding down which causes these fluctuations in hormone levels and erratic periods. Your GP should know you were in peri menopause, not post menopause and it is quite common for this to start in our mid 40s and it can go on for some years. Blood tests for hormone levels in peri will be very varied and are therefore unreliable. The FHS level should be high if you are in post meno but I think you are referring to oestrogen levels being low. Your GP is confusing you and not explaining things that well. It's good you are being monitored as HRT might be sensible if your oestrogen levels stay low.
Read up all the info on this site to get clued up.

Keep us posted. DG x

[sadielouise78]

Hi. Thanks for the replies. I think I'm getting myself confused. He said my oestrogen was very low and FSH levels showing post-menopausal. This isn't the GP though as they were at a loss, it's a specialist gynocologist. He sat and thought about it for quite a while and I even asked if he was sure I was post-menopausal and he said yes. I really don't know what to think.

[Dancinggirl]

If you had a bleed in the last couple of months then you are still technically peri meno as even one blood test showing  low oestrogen and high FSH is not proof of post meno - talking about ‘reversible menopause' is probably how this doctor explains the peri stage.  Some women go months without a period and they then start up again.
It might well be good to stop the Cerelle to see what happens.
We are different and ghecmenipausecwill be different for every woman - nobody prepares us for this stage in our lives, that's why this site can be so helpful.
Read up the factual info on this site,  don't panic, you may just need some low dose HRT at this stage to balance your hormones.
If I were you, I would stop the pill for three months and ask for another blood test to look at your levels again and if the oestrogen is low and FSH is high, then ask for some HRT.
DG x

[Emerald2017]

Hi. Thanks for the replies. I think I'm getting myself confused. He said my oestrogen was very low and FSH levels showing post-menopausal. This isn't the GP though as they were at a loss, it's a specialist gynocologist. He sat and thought about it for quite a while and I even asked if he was sure I was post-menopausal and he said yes. I really don't know what to think.

Hi! I'm 41 and in peri too! It happens quite often. My mum had her meno at 47 and it was not a big deal for her. It's crucial to have hrt for our bones, heart and skin. I didn't know anything about meno and this was a terrible shock for me! Hope you feel better soon! 🌹