Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Looby]

Hi anyone else having it had all the symptoms of menopause bit doctors telling them they aren't in fact in menopause?

[Taz2]

Yes. Blood tests are very unreliable in terms of diagnosing where we are in menopause and I believe that guidelines are that doctors should go by symptoms rather than blood test results?

Taz x

[Charys]

Yes. I'm 6 years into perimeno (by a rough estimate) and my one set done two years ago, when I was very much symptomatic showed 'normal'. My GP said that bloods were generally not that useful for pinpointing peri/meno in transition stages as they vary day by day, cycle by cycle etc. I spoke with her a couple of months ago, described my full symptoms and she agreed perimeno.

[CLKD]

Hormone blood tests are reliably unreliable  because hormones alter all day every day for lots of reasons.  My Gynae won't do them for menopausal ladies but doe them if a girl can't get pregnant  .   Symptoms particularly if 1 keeps a diary, can give a clearer picture that we can discuss.

What would you like to ease first?

[Looby]

The fatigue and anxiety! Maybe the aching as that's exhausting! I can cope with itching, metallic tastes and also the hot flushes but the tiredness and aching is hard

[Charys]

It would be the anxiety and insomnia I'd get rid of...well...all of it can go.....but given the choice  . Also, the panic about flooding.....that freaks me majorly.

[Looby]

Quite, all of it would be good but we can't be greedy I guess. Do you take anything?

[Wilks]

What reasons did the dr give? Did they suggest why you would have hot flushes if not related to menopause?

[Hurdity]

Hi Looby

The crucial thing is what is happening to your cycle - if you have an obvious one (ie periods), ie you have a uterus and not on POP nor have Mirena coil. Cyclical changes (specifically variable and longer cycles) together with age (over 45) and symptoms are sufficient to diagnose menopause. If you doc has done blood tests yet you have cyclical changes and symptoms and are over 45, despite the blood test results - then you are peri-menopausal! Full-stop. This is from the NICE Guidelines. If under 40 (essential) and sometimes between 40 -45 (can be helpful)  blood tests can be carried out to determine if you are likely to go through a premature or early menopause.  Two should be carried out 4-6 weeks apart. Nevertheless the doc should not dismiss peri-menopause should the blood tests not suggest menopause for rreasons given by other members (variability throughout the day and from day to day). However if this is the case then the doc should investigate other possible cause of your flushes and fatigue such as thryoid function, blood sugar levels etc. Hope you manage to sort this one out so that you can treat your symptoms - don't forget diet and lifestyle changes if necessary