Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Machair on July 26, 2017, 01:34:36 PM
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I am starting this thread as recently there have been one or two members joining in the category of women experiencing late menopause with periods going on after 55, and they seem to struggle finding somewhere to gain help and support. I am in this category, and have had the benefit of a wonderful thread on here that I started, but often women can't find what they are looking for as it has become a lovely chatty thread, but in that a new member may find it hard to find information.
It would be wonderful if this forum could have two sections- one for early menopause under 45 and one for late over 55 - I think there would be much support for this. In the meantime please contribute to this thread if you are 55 or over and still not post menopausal. Lets also keep this factual so that other ladies can find help and support.
So with this in mind. I am 57 and still not quite there- last period April. I have no hot flushes and am still very hormonal at times, but my periods are now lighter and much less often, but are only spotting and can be managed with a panty liner. I have 4 children all grown up and have CFS/ME. When my friends were post menopausal at 52 I was still as regular as clockwork. My grannie lived to 102 and her Mum had babies in her late forties. So feel free to join me and let's have a late menopause thread.
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I think that's a brilliant idea!
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I've found this thread Machair.
I'm 56 and will be 57 next January.Last period 5 weeks ago very very light spotting. Before that erratic for 18 months longest gap 4 months. Dr thought I had post meno bleeding when my longest gap was only 9 weeks! So had to go through scan and biopsy. .All ok. I knew the bleeding I was having were periods as they felt like periods always had. I'd been to Dr with something else and the discussion just somehow arose. She's a lovely Dr and very thorough but a bit too hasty in this case. Obviously I was worried and it was a horrible few weeks.
Having meno symptoms. .hot flushes, not sleeping well, tired, no energy and little motivation at times, foggy brain, low mood and some anxiety although I have had health anxiety since my teens. My anxiety had been better but last few months seems to be a little worse.
Had a course of CBT which I did find very useful for health anxiety and some other issues concerning the mental health of my daughter...long story.
I do think a later meno fools me into thinking I'm younger than I am. ;D
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So sorry Happytobe I have only just noticed your posting on my thread. Lovely to have you in our late menopause group! How are you doing? I haven't had a period since April but have plenty of hormonal feelings recently! I noticed also you mentioned period pains but only slight spotting in August- I have had this too in the past as many of us have.Feels like a period wants to start but not enough hormones to start it.
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15 years since my last period and I still get the occasionally pains, 'oh no, not after all this time!' springs to mind
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Hello Hope22
Wonderful to hear from you, I think more of us are later than it appears, as many like yourself just accept it as your sister did too! Did your periods get lighter and lighter in the end? I was regular till 53/54 - the age when many people are post menopause. Not really had hot flushes yet either- did you have those?
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I know what you mean and you think it will never end but at last you have 5 years behind you now!
My last one was so light in April it only needed a panty liner for a few days. Hope it is the last but I don't think it will be as I feel very hormonal on and off!
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56 here, on HRT and I think still having light periods mid HRT cycle - it's v regular and I get cramps so pretty sure about it. Granny went on to 60 apparently. VA is a bugger.
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Hi Ancient Runner. That is amazing 60! Well I wish I could ask my grannie as she lived to 102. However her Mum had 14 children and her last one was just before she was 50.
I think it is more common that I first thought to go on longer than the average. I think it is just the way that 51/52 is seen as the normal is a worry to many women who do not fit that pattern, and see themselves as abnormal rather than different.
Were you having periods when you started on HRT? I was regular to 53/54 which is why I think I have gone on this long as didn't see much change in cycles till then and certainly no skipping.
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I went on HRT in Jan because of VA problems, and at that point hadn't had one since September, and May before that I think- but had been regular until about 54 I think. I have a mate of the same age who's also been having regular periods until pretty recently. I agree, people do seem really surprised by it - including even one of the practice nurses.
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Hi Machair, just came upon your posting. I had my last period aged 59. I thought I would sail through the menopause but unfortunately I haven't. 😬
I am now 63 and still have terrible hot flushes, night sweats, aching bones and at times over the last 4 years bouts of frightening palpitations. I recently tried HRT in the form of Evorel Conti Patches but they made me feel really anxious - although they did put away the flushes and night sweats. I decided to come off HRT after 5 months and all the symptoms are back again. I think at the back of my mind I was concerned about starting HRT at this age? I have been on vagifem for the last couple of years and that has helped with dryness and painful bladder. It's a really difficult one wondering whether to soldier on with it all or try a different HRT.
I'm glad you started this thread for the older ladies. 😉 👏🏼
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Hello Carol,
So lovely to hear from you. Aged 59 gives me hope (I am 57)! What were your periods like up to the point when they stopped and what age were you when the flushes and sweats started?
My periods have become very light (Last one April and only needed panty liners) but still feel like I might have more as I am very hormonal.
Hope things improve for you soon, it must be so hard.x
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Hi Machair, my periods leading up to stopping were some months flooding and then towards the end lighter. The hot flushes and night sweats started not long after - then stopped after three months and I thought that was it. But alas they started again and never gave up. I also had and still sometimes have bad palpitations. 😬 x
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That is so interesting Carol as we are very similar. I have not really experienced the hot flushes yet as I am producing my own oestrogen into my later fifties. I guess it is waiting to happen soon! Did you have any long gaps before your periods stopped altogether?
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Hi Machair, I don't think I did actually. I rember when they had stopped for a year I then had another bleed...had it checked out and everything was fine. I think a few people have that.
I think my worst symptom of menopause has been racing heart and palpitations.
Hopefully you are one of the lucky ones and don't have too many symptoms. Most of my friends have sailed through the Menopause not experiencing a hot flush or a nightsweat. 🤷🏼♀️
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Thank you Carol. I really feel for you with the racing heart and palpitations. I have this issue a lot as I have ME and it is one of the symptoms - I am sure if it starts with the menopause I am going to be in double trouble!
I think the period issues start when the regularly disappears. I was regular until 53/54 and many of my friends of a similar age were nearing the end of 4 years of irregular periods by then, and many were post by this age. Were you regular until your mid fifties too?
I expected to be all finished by 55 but I guess being regular until almost that age meant that was never going to happen!
I am so grateful to you for replying on this thread as there are less of us in this age category here.x
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Sorry to hear you have ME. That's a very debilitating illness.
I was pretty regular in my fifties. Year after year I kept thinking surely they'll stop soon. Friends were already post menopausal and I was still buying sanitary wear. 🤦🏼♀️
Unfortunately I hadn't heard of Menopause Matters at that time. Thank goodness I know about it now, it's so good when you have a problem to just check in and see if anyone else has had it and how they treated it. X
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Yes Carol that is exactly how I feel! All my friends have stopped years ago and I am still going! Thank goodness for this website forum and for wonderful people like yourself who make it all seem more normal!
I wish I could ask my Mum about her menopause, but she had a hysterectomy in her early forties including ovary removal- so hers was surgically induced, and I have no sisters.I think having a family can help as often experiences can be similar in terms of age of onset. I am keeping records to help my daughters when it is their turn!
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I'm another who had a late menopause. I had my last period at about 57. I didn't realise this was unusual. I was a late starter though so I don't know if that is significant. It was only when I came on here for advice re frequent weeing that I realised that a lot of the things I had been experiencing such as depression and anxiety and bladder problems were due to menopause. I thought in my ignorance that having survived the hot flushes that I had got away with it! How wrong I was!
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Hi Jemp- so lovely to hear from you and welcome to this thread. it is so lovely to have a kindred spirit! Did your periods get lighter in the end. My last one was April but it was really light and only needed panty liners. No hot flushes yet. Are you a few years post now?
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Hi yes they eventually got lighter. They had been awful up to then. Frequent flooding etc. and a GP who just said It's your age! I seemed to have flushes for ages. I'm now 5 years past that and still get occasional flushes. I had no idea about VA though and am still not convinced it is the full story of my weeing problems. Mentally I seem to have become very 'flat' - I don't know how else to explain it! Don't seem to take pleasure in the things I did before and I am certainly less confident and outgoing. I have found children leaving home for good and parents aging/dying very sad- I sometimes feel I grieve for the days when the house was full and I was always busy.
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I really understand what you are saying. I had 4 children and they now live in 4 different countries- Wales, Scotland England and Hawaii. I really miss them all so much. My Mum is very poorly and it is totally draining. Last night I was in A and E at 2am with her, it is so sad and as you say very hard to cope with. At least we can support each other so please feel free to PM me any time you are feeling low.xx
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:thankyou: very similar situation to mine. I too get the 2am calls. I'm going away for the weekend and will be on tenterhooks all the time in case we have another crisis! We aregoing to see the kids however including one flying in from the Middle East . Take care. Xxx
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So similar to me. Last weekend we were in London seeing three of the children, and we just arrived home in time for the next crisis. It is absolutely draining- I feel like a zombie today and am just about to drive 30 miles again to the hospital to see Mum. Have a wonderful weekend with your family.x
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Thank you!x
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Hi Sparkle,
Mum improving very slowly on an IV and comfortable. I must admit to being absolutely worn out by lack of sleep and worry. Mum has no idea where she is or what is happening which is a good thing.
I still feel though Sparkle that she has had an amazing life with endless holidays and a lifestyle many would have dreamt of and she is 85. When I think of your dear sister and what she went through it doesn't seem anywhere near as sad to see Mum as she is now approaching the end of a natural life span.
So many of my friends have battled adversity with illness in middle age, and some have lost the fight. Mum is lucky compared to some to have had a long and happy life. I hope she goes peacefully before too long as she has no quality of life left and no dignity. She can't walk is doubly incontinent and has no idea who I am.x
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hello.im so pleased to be referred to this site as i posted my 1st
subject as a new member just today at4 14 pm. if the ladies on this site could please spare a moment to read my post id be grateful. thanks
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Hi all. Il just briefly repeat what i put in the new member
site before i got advised to look at this site which suits me
as i was 58 last month and periods as regular as clockwork sometimes 3wk,usually 3+half wks apart.dreadful pmt ,painful cramps.bleeds last 3-6 days,heavy.am i a freak,its about time all this stopped.
womb scan shows fibroids which i know iv had at least 15 years,had iron tabs,eat plenty meat,vit c together so not aneamic. il just have to put up with it and hope to get periods over with by age 60.
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Hello,
Not sure if you read my reply over on your other post.I will repeat some of it though as I know you must be worried.
Menopause can happen later for some women and when I asked the gynaecologist over on WebMd, the very respected Dr Mary Jane Minkin, she said that it can happen as late as 58/59.
You are certainly not abnormal being older, but it does worry us a lot I know as I am 57 and my last period was April, but I am still very hormonal so am expecting another bleed.You certainly sound very hormonal with the PMT.
What I tend to have is many days of ovulation type mucus that doesn't just occur mid cycle. This indicates no ovulation. Have you any signs like this that you can interpret? Your description sounds like normal ovulation and periods to me as you still have regularity in terms of length and frequency.
I think late menopause is more common that is thought and you may have gaps soon.
Have you any sisters or a Mum with similar late menopause experiences? It often runs in families. My great gran had babies in her very late forties. My Mum had a hysterectomy and ovary removal in her early forties, and I have no sisters so my history is difficult to interpret.
Anyway you are not alone please join us on this thread you are so welcome and we can support each other.
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Hello laziest.
I don't know how I missed this thread! Mind you I had my last period at 54 so maybe I don't qualify for this group lol.
I just wanted to add to the general information being gathered here. My periods were regular and quite heavy, not varying at all. I then missed a few months, had a bit of spotting instead of a period and nothing since. That was seven years ago and I struggled on for three years before trying HRT and I'm still experimenting with that.
It's good to know that other women have a late menopause and that it's just a variation on the norm.
Take care ladies.
K.
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Well ladies start the clock again as PMT followed by light spotting/brown discharge greeted me today. First since April but very hormonal all through this time, especially 2 weeks ago, so was expecting it. If this is the last I will be 58 post in a years time.
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Wow Machair - were you disappointed to see this? I wonder if it will be a proper period? Many of us don't know what age we would experience menopause because we start HRT before getting there eg I had last natural period at 53.5 but started HRT soon after so might have been 55 or so.
Hurdity x
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Hello Machair.
Wow. It's incredible to think that the time between an early and late menopause can be about 20 years!
I used to talk to someone who worked in a supermarket and she told me her periods stopped for nearly a year and then started to be regular again at 57. I haven't seen her for a long time so I'm not sure what happened next. Perhaps she has been approached by scientists who want to study all the intricacies of the menopause and develop effective, safe and side effect free treatments for the benefit womankind now and in the future, but probably not. Would be nice though wouldn't it!
Whatever happens with this bleed I wish you well.
K.
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Yes Hurdity I was fed up to see this but I have been expecting it. So far I have escaped all hot flushes vaginal dryness and all these other things that indicate late perimenopause so it wasn't a surprise. Still I suppose it is all happening less often now and getting lighter which I guess is the norm- just rather late! As you say maybe you too would have been later if you had not started HRT - were you regular when you started it at 53.5?
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No they were sporadic - I think I was late peri-menopause but very late menopause is in my family (I'll pm you). At least you have escaped the horrible menopause symptoms because you have plenty of oestrogen - and hopefully it means that they won't appear at all! Did I read a couple of years ago or so that you had a period after 11 months - you thought you had finished? Did you get any flushes during this time? My flushes and sweats always came on in the gaps between periods during late peri-menopause.
Hurdity x
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I know and it is struggling to get going and I have PMT off the planet! How are you Sparkle was your scan ok?
I think you will beat me to the finish line in June next year!
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How did you get on Sparkle at the doctors? I was thinking of you. So sorry I didn't post earlier Mum is getting worse so it has been a night and day bedside marathon.x
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I am starting this thread as recently there have been one or two members joining in the category of women experiencing late menopause with periods going on after 55, and they seem to struggle finding somewhere to gain help and support. I am in this category, and have had the benefit of a wonderful thread on here that I started, but often women can't find what they are looking for as it has become a lovely chatty thread, but in that a new member may find it hard to find information.
It would be wonderful if this forum could have two sections- one for early menopause under 45 and one for late over 55 - I think there would be much support for this. In the meantime please contribute to this thread if you are 55 or over and still not post menopausal. Lets also keep this factual so that other ladies can find help and support.
So with this in mind. I am 57 and still not quite there- last period April. I have no hot flushes and am still very hormonal at times, but my periods are now lighter and much less often, but are only spotting and can be managed with a panty liner. I have 4 children all grown up and have CFS/ME. When my friends were post menopausal at 52 I was still as regular as clockwork. My grannie lived to 102 and her Mum had babies in her late forties. So feel free to join me and let's have a late menopause thread.
You lucky thing you i went over at 37 early meno.
It used to be many 9n here were over 50s and still had periods. But your right they dont seem to be any now! I post normally only on Atrophy but i read your post
I had exactly the same only the other way round.
There will be lots of help 9n here for you xxxx
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Suzi Q, I hope the reason the over 50s have left is because they felt better!
I'm experiencing a late menopause myself. I'm 54 and had my last period in August. I hope it was the last one, because I'm so over the hormonal roller coaster ride. I'll be 55 in December.
Believe it or not, my gynecologist said to me, "You know most women have had their last period at 50-51, don't you?" As if I had any control over my still cycling ovaries!! I know there can't possibly be any eggs in there to push out, but they keep trying. My gyne also said I'll be having a scan and possible biopsy at my next appt. I'm just praying that my twitchy ovaries are not causing my endometrium to thicken.
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I wonder how some of you are doing- Happytobe, Funnell, Ancient Runner or anyone else in this over 55 group are you near the finish line yet? I wish I was - still no sign of the end!
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Hi,
Great idea for a thread. I am 56, most recent period was in June but have gone 10 months without a bleed twice in the last few years. Really hope this is it this time. Most of my symptoms have settled apart from the dreaded palpitations which I still get for part of every single day and has been this way for 15 months. Am so fed up of it, especially when it affects my sleep. Would love to hear from anyone else struggling with this symptom.
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Hello Rustysmum
So lovely to hear from you and what a relief to hear from someone going through the same thing! I am so looking forward to this being over! Do you still feel hormonal and what was your June period like? There are several of us in this boat, and several of us are finding our periods have become much lighter - more like spotting only needing panty liners and often brown rather than red and heavy. I had a long gap in the past as well so you are not alone in that either! Thank you so much for posting and so sorry you are having the palpitations. Do you have night sweats at all with them?
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Hi Machair. Thank you for your very understanding comments. Yes, I still get odd days of crying for no reason, my sleep quality varies and still struggling with the weight that suddenly piled on! But all better than it was, but can tell there is still a cycle of some kind going on. My last period was a normal one, which was good for me as the previous ones had been ridiculously heavy to the point of not being able to leave the house the first couple of days because of flooding, so I guess yes it was lighter but nowhere near panty liner only level yet ! It is a big relief to find others who have the same issues as my GP looks at me like I am totally weird to still be menstruating at this age!
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Oh and I very rarely get night sweats now. I had them in the early days before the hot flushes hit. They too are a rarity now.
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Hi Rustysmum, I just saw your post. I have the same problem as you regarding palpitations. I've had a few ecg's and everything seems to be okay. Sometimes they are really bad and sometimes just the occasional one throughout the day. I'm taking magnesium which helps a little.
Sometimes when they come I try to ignore them and other times I can go into panic mode.
I am four years post menopausal and have had them since my period stopped.
I just read that someone tried mag phos homeopathic salts and they put them away so I'm going to buy these and give them a go. I'll let you know if they do the trick. 😉
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Approaching 55 now. Trouble at mill ;D started in early 2012, the last few years of a regular cycle were horrendous (gaps then flooding). Periods at 2-3 months apart in 2016 and then this year last one was May and nothing since. But then the hot flushes and night sweats kicked in. A friend of similar age says she's been having her hot flushes for 2 years, I am hoping mine are shorter lived!
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Hi Carol
I will be very interested to hear how you get on. Am very disheartened to hear you are still suffering after being four years post! So sorry to hear you are still suffering like this. I do hope the homeopathic salts help. My cardiologist says often they just disappear as quickly as they came. It is very reassuring to hear that several of you have this same symptom. Thank you all for posting. :)
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Just checking in - on HRT but almost always get period pain and slight bleed mid HRT cycle, then the HRT bleed itself in the first week of the packet. It's been almost as regular as clockwork for months, and I'm 56. Even had stretchy mucus couple of weeks ago.
The trouble is though that I think the HRT and my hormones are working in opposition to each other. I've had a lot of painful bladder/urethra problems in all of this (and one glorious fortnight where I just felt normal - so pretty sure it's all hormonal). Not really sure how to proceed...
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How are we all doings ladies? So sorry for not posting for a while but I lost Mum so things have been difficult.
I am still full of oestrogen but no periods so hope this is it!
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Hi Machair so sorry for your loss it's an indescribable pain losing you mum I get that. I still grieve for my mum I miss her so much but I can hear her everyday in the background saying “come on now life goes on†she was my guiding light in everything I did.take care and hope things eventually even out for you it's a pain in the ass this isn't it,ps I,m 60 but like a hormonal 13 year old lol.xx
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Hi Machair - I know I'm not part of this thread as I probably had menopause at 54/55 - a long time in the past - but also wanted to say I'm so sorry to hear about losing your Mum and especially around this time or near Christmas - well any time really. I am very very lucky that mine is still alive, well active and living independently and I absolutely dread the time when something happens to her - which I know it will.
Please to hear you are full of oestrogen still - I presume you know that because you're not yet getting flushes or sweats - and maybe you won't if you're lucky?
Hurdity x :bighug:
typo now corrected...
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Thank you so much Hurdity that means so much and you too Daisydot.
Losing Mum was very very difficult but she was in a very bad way at the end that no one would ever want to see.
She is at peace now and I am so grateful for that.
I did have a night sweat last week Hurdity so you never know! I woke up with a little pool on my chest at 1am!
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How are we all doings ladies? So sorry for not posting for a while but I lost Mum so things have been difficult.
I am still full of oestrogen but no periods so hope this is it!
So sorry to hear about your Mum. I lost mine 25 years ago during Christmas 1992 but still think about her a lot. I also haven't had late menopause but had to stop and write you a quick note.
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Approaching 55 now. Trouble at mill ;D started in early 2012, the last few years of a regular cycle were horrendous (gaps then flooding). Periods at 2-3 months apart in 2016 and then this year last one was May and nothing since. But then the hot flushes and night sweats kicked in. A friend of similar age says she's been having her hot flushes for 2 years, I am hoping mine are shorter lived!
Don't want to depress you but I've had hot flushes and night sweats for over 20 years now. They started at age 47, my periods stopped at 52 and I'm now nearly 68. I have a friend in her mid-seventies who still gets flushes. It seems for some women they never stop. Don't struggle on but go on HRT if you can.
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So sorry to hear about your Mum Machair.
Don't know why but since New Year's Eve my pics have been horrendous and continual. Disturbing my sleep which makes everything worse and was finding it really hard to cope again. Have started taking maca a couple of weeks ago and it really helps. Am trying to do a lot more research on it as I always worry about coming off these things again but it helped from day one so don't want to stop it! It is definitely the maca helping as have experimented with stopping for a day and the palpitations come back and then ease off again the next day once I have taken the maca again. Would love to hear of anyone else's experience if they have used it.
Hope everyone is improving!
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Thank you so much Rustysmum that is so kind of you to think of me. I have been thinking of you and wondering how you are. Are you still period free or have they returned? It may be that when the hormones finally settle so will your symptoms. I know that is how it seems to be with migraine and heart issues too, so hopefully you won't have long. I think we are a similar age so we can help each other. xx
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Hi Machair
Great to hear from you. I lost my mum a long time ago - 30 years, but still miss her dreadfully and remember the early days well. It's not easy and can't help symptoms.
I see my iPad kindly atucorrected pvcs to pics! Yes I am still period free - still nothing since last June but have been disappointed several times before!i am keeping my fingers crossed that this really is it this time and this must be the worst phase?! I am 57 in a few weeks. Thanks for being there!
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Carol Litster, how did you get on with the Mag Phos tissue salts?
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Oh Rustysmum that must have been heart breaking to lose your Mum at such a young age. I really feel for you.xx
Do you feel like you might have another period and do you still feel hormonal? I think I will bleed again as I am very very hormonal a lot of the time, but you never know this could be it! Was your last period normal or very light? Sometimes this gives a clue as they often get lighter and shorter at the end I am told!
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I have been feeling really hormonal (weepy, grouchy, permanently exhausted and spotty! ) Ugh! Yes have been wondering if I will be getting a period as had been doing really well towards the end of last year. Fed up of feeling rubbish again and no fun for poor hubby to live with either! My last period in June was what I used to call ‘normal' but lighter than the dreadful flooding I had been having in the previous far apart ones! Thank you for the ray of hope!
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hi all.seems like iv got pmt more often,trauma
from the past reg daughters murder (age 19,happened 11 years ago)are haunting me more.
bleeding regular approx every 4 weeks without fail
age 59 in september,no HRT, nightsweats,flushes, etc YET!i still cycle/walk,although its harder to make the effort to do anything,but my weight has
so far always been stable,9+hlf-10 stone.some
people think im too slim but im happy as i am+always eat like a pig!x
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First of all my heart goes out to you over the sad loss of your daughter- that must be so much to cope with every day.
I don't think you are that unusual having a late menopause, there are several of us here. I am 58- 59 in March next year. I get severe PMT as well, though mine is now much less often as my periods are now much lighter and more spaced out, but I still get all those feelings you mention.
It is so lovely to meet another kindred spirit with late menopause so keep posting and we can help each other.xxx
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I'm also so sorry for your sad loss funnel you are such a brave lady to be able to share that bless you.
I'm glad your not experiencing an awful lot of meno effects and I think that you,just for the moment, need someone to share your thoughts with,post away here,maybe start a new thread and then other ladies can maybe share their experiences and support you through this.im not an expert I just wanted to say hello and say your so brave,it's admirable how your coping xx
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I am 56 in two weeks and had a my last period last week. Before that it had been 3 months ago. They are always light. Last year I had a blood test which showed I wasnt through the menopause yet. I also was sent for a scan and biopsy, which was all fine.
Have really worried over this sporadic bleeding as I felt I was too old for this to still be happening. Feel better having been guided to this thread.
I am due to see my GP next week again about this.
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Hi Holyett,
My heart goes out to you as like yourself I worried as I was later than the so called average. However what I determined was this.My friends who finished at 52 had significant period changes five years before. At 52 I was regular as clockwork.When did you start to see a period change and what age would you say you were still regular?
The thing I hate about averages is that they cause people to worry who are not average.
I recommend these videos by a top gynaecologist to anyone in this boat. Watch the first part for the first couple of minutes and you will hear that the menopause can come as late as 60 for some women.
http://madameovary.com/video/
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Hi Machair, I was married for 25 years after two children my Hubbie had the snip, so I regulary had periods. Then life changed, husband ran off with someone else. I was blessed to meet my now husband and for contraceptive purposes at the age of 46 had the mierina coil fitted. After being on the coil for a few months my periods stopped. Forward 8-years later I then began to have short bleeds, white spread apart. I visited the doctor who asked when my last proper period had been but too be honest I didnt really know, due to the coil. A blood test showed that it was still possible, though highly unlikely that I could become pregnant. The Gp felt that the mirena now needed replacing.
Also they still wanted to do a scan and biopsy.
Scan and biopsy showed no issues and the coil was taken out. At 54 I decided not to have another put in.
So since then I have a bleed around every 3 months, lasts around 3 days. Feel tired, and grumpy quite a bit. This month was different in the fact that I bleed only 4 weeks since the last time and only for 24 hours.
Seeing my GP this week. I am sure alls ok and I dread being messed about with again if its not necessary but thought tge bleeding would have stopped by now. Though now after finding this site I realise that this is no that uncommon. I will look at the videos. Thanks so much.
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How are you doing Holyett- did the GP help at all?
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How is everyone doing?
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Hi Machair,
Well the Maca was a short lived success. Think it just coincided with a good spell. Saw my cardio for an annual check and was stressed about it, heart went nuts and he put me on daily Flecainide. Struggling with the side effects dreadfully, even after three weeks but the PVCs are gone. Don't know which is worst. Am thinking might have to consider BHRT but feel very conflicted about it! Passed my one year at last!
How are you doing?
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Hi Rusty's Mum,
Congratulations on reaching your year! So sorry about the palpitations, I get these too as I have ME and when they flare up they are very scary especially at night.
Well I am still very much in the throws of perimenopause even though I am now 58. My last period was in February when I was 57 but it was scanty. Now I have PMT type symptoms a lot of the time but I have had no more bleeding so I hope this is it! I think the PMT symptoms are really just fluctuating hormones. I read a really good book recently that described this beautifully called Before The Change by Anne Lousie Gittleman. The hormonal fluctuations are setting of the occasional migraine which I am prone to, but other than that the bleeding episodes are getting much less frequent now so hopefully finally on the home straight!
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Will keep my fingers crossed that this is it for you now!
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Back again to the lovely group. When I look back at my posts over years I realise I follow suit with a few people on here namely Machair. Here I am nearly a year well LMP 17/10/2017 lots of flushes and symptoms of meno then out of the blue today lots of stretchy mucous !! Headache and now I am thinking great 14 days and I bed I get a period ugh... does that mean another 12 month wait. I was 55 in June. Lovely to see the usual names on here glad your all well x
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Hi All, Just picked up on this thread... I`m a late finisher with periods still going on at 55. But have just had to go onto HRT due to hormonal anxiety/depression. So my periods will go one for as long as my sequi HRT does. I might be 105 lol! :o ;D
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... with soft skin, good bones and a healthy appetite then Dancing Queen?
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Hi CLKD... well my appetite is healthy....I think my bones are ok ... but the skin.... hmm. I was on holiday with my friend recently, we were lying on the beach in our bikinis and I turned on my side and shrieked in horror "my belly looks like an elephant`s scrotum!!". Lesson learnt : keep on your back on the beach at all times ;)
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Hi Jane44
How are you doing - are you expecting a period any time or has everything settled?
Hope all is calm now- I know several of us had this sort of oestrogen surge that wasn't expected!
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Hi Machair
just read back all of yet another your posts and seem to be following your journey!! Would you believe have gone nearly a whole year with Hot flushes and meno symptoms then all of a sudden the ovulatory mucous and then yesterday a small pink/red loss brown today... so now do I have to count another year.... at 55 and a few months I am not done. What do you think grateful for your thoughts xxx
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Hi Jane - you may find a period is on the way as it is fitting with the high oestrogen ovulatory signs just over 2 weeks ago. I guess being almost 12 months puts this on the edge for a doctor's visit and I would say certainly the clock starts again. Hopefully one of the ladies more expert than myself will comment to help you decide what to do! Certainly my experience mirrors yours in that I have been very slow to go through this process. Do you have vaginal dryness or anything of that nature as these symptoms happen somewhat later in the process mostly though not always? I do not so am still hormonal, though much less than I was! Many people I know have told me their last period was just one spot, so this maybe all you get. I guess it is just the almost 12 month gap that might make a doctors visit advisable for a scan maybe? What do others think? I have had periods that were really just brown/yellow with a hint of pink towards the later stages of peri- very scanty.
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How are you doing Jane44- did you get a period?
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Hi everyone, I haven't been on here for a while as my symptoms seem to settle down or I just cope with them better! I am 55 and am still having periods, this last year they have been more spaced out, I have had only 5 and generally much lighter than before with no pain at all. No hot flushes at all so hoping the gap between periods will just get longer and stop once and for all, is that a possibility? No good at this wait and see game!! Most of my younger friends have stopped so feeling left out. Thanks
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Hello Dandelion - lovely to hear from you and I really understand your situation having been there myself. I used to think I was the only one having periods at 55! Hot flushes have so far been absent for me as they have for you! Yes I think you can expect less periods further apart - I had that so don't despair!
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Thank you ladies that is reassuring, hopefully there is light at the end of this long tunnel!!
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Just an update ladies for anyone still going through late menopause. I am seeing a consultant for late menopause. He has assured me it is more common than people think and he has several patients 58/59 in my situation. I have also had a Polyp removed recently which was the kind normally only seen in ladies not yet in menopause.I am awaiting blood test results to check hormone levels, and have to have another scan in May as my lining was 6mm in November, though too thin to biopsy at the time of hysteroscopy.
I also have some evidence of dryness vaginally that he has seen but no symptoms, though I do have a slight clear discharge some days that dries to yellow which may be indicative of atrophy or hormonal ups and downs - he isn't sure yet.
Has anyone got his slightly watery clear fluid that dries yellow and has it gone with atrophy treatment? It isn't everyday and seems to coincide with feeling hormonal so it is a very confusing picture!
So my advice is if you are later than the average have a check up and then see what happens- according to my specialist there are more of us oldies than you might think!
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Hi !! I'm 55 in August and my periods so far have just got slightly closer together. Last month and this though I've been a bit deranged 🙄 And have felt itchy / super anxious and last month had a lot of pre period breast tender/soreness though this month not.
My thing always has been health anxiety and I've struggled last month and this to deal with that but otherwise I'm hoping that periods for longer is positive (???) and with acupuncture, exercise and good diet I can get through these next months / years in good shape.... need to get a grip on the HA though.
What does evwryone else feel about later
menopause?
Good to find this thread!!
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I was still having regular periods age 56 when I started HRT 18 months ago. My dr had no concerns about this. Probably menopausal now but obviously I don't know.
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I was almost 59 when I had my last period and have now been diagnosed officially menopausal at almost 60. The last two years prior were dreadful with migraines amped many with aura which were dreadful. These have now abated and I have now got dry eye and atrophy of the uterus and vagina. I also developed a Polyp which I think was all caused by the hormonal ups and downs just before I stopped. I have severe ME which doesn't help health wise but often this illness causes early menopause not late as in my case.
Part of my problem was feeling a freak or a misfit somehow as it is not the norm to still be having periods so late, but it is being seen more and more often according to my gynaecologist.This is why I started this thread because it is always a concern in a different way to early menopause. Odd bleeding patterns have to be checked out as cancer becomes more common in later life. It becomes a worry in a different way as friends have long since completed their journey to menopause- some a decade earlier.
Why some women go on longer is a mystery. My great gran had 14 children some in her late forties so maybe it runs in the family- maybe it is being vegetarian as I am who knows?- but if any ladies are going through this please join this thread and let's make this a less lonely place.
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It does have advantages re bone health and heart as far as I can understand. I know what you mean about shared experiences though, some similar women didn't believe I could actually still have regular periods age 56!
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I turn 57 on Tuesday and still get periods, although skipping months longer now.
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A very warm welcome Alison- lovely to have you on this thread. Let us know how you get on over the next few months and years as it is so much help to others in the same boat, and hopefully we can help if you need advice or support with anything.
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Hi ladies, hope you don't mind me joining you all. I'm 55 and still having periods, although i did have a a very long gap last year. After speaking to my doctor, we decided that it would be best if i went and had myself checked over. After a full blown MOT and follow up appointment with a lovely chap, i came away with the feeling that "it will end when it ends".
He answered all of my questions, explained to me all of the benefits of a late menopause, and to be honest, i couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Since the long gap, my periods seem to be getting a little lighter, but i have noticed an increase in my migraines and i appear to have developed the skin of a teenager.
I get one or two really big spots arrive on my chin a few days before my period starts, which highly amuses my teenage daughter, who, for the moment is spot free, but boy can she slam a door. My poor DH must feel like he is living in hormone hell sometimes, although he works evening/nights, so isn't around too much to hear all the drama.
Looking forward to hopefully finishing this journey with you all!
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Hi Barnacle,
I finished at 56 and half. I found those last two years tricky as I had crushing fatigue with every period. Came close to fainting a couple of times.
Hope you don't have to wait too much longer.
Shadyglade
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Hi Barnacle and a very warm welcome.
So glad you have joined us - please keep posting on your journey as there is so little information available for late menopause experiences, especially if it goes on to late fifties as I did.
I had an increase in migraines two years before I stopped, and I developed a Polyp as well which I had removed in November. Now officially post menopausal at 59!
I never had hot flushes or other symptoms really so have been very lucky. The consultant I saw said that was unusual but that my age was not. He said that he is seeing more and more women in my age group having late menopause. I did wonder if my diet prevented hot flashes as it mirrors the diet recommended by Maryon Stewart who is a natural menopause expert. I have never seen her but realised my eating patterns were what she recommends so maybe that was why.
I had completely regular periods at 53 when most of my friends were well past the transition so I felt like a freak, especially as the years went on! Even on here there are so few of us! So please keep posting as hopefully then this thread can be a resource for many.
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I did wonder if my diet prevented hot flashes as it mirrors the diet recommended by Maryon Stewart who is a natural menopause expert. I have never seen her but realised my eating patterns were what she recommends so maybe that was why.
My SIL lent me one of her books a couple of years ago, and i found it an interesting read. My diet is mainly veggie, with a little fish and chicken thrown in, although i have a stinking cold at the moment, so i'm mostly eating carbs, and lots of them! Comfort food, i guess you would call it.
My friendship group spans quite an age range . The majority of them, either the same age or slightly older, have been through it and are all moving on with the next chapter of their lives. The other ones, mainly mums of my DD and DS, are either at the start of peri or haven't even got to that stage yet.
My sister, who is two years younger than me, is having an awful time with it. She has just gone onto HRT, so hopefully she will soon see some improvement. She has been having really bad flushes, which at times have left her feeling nauseous and her night sweats have affected her sleep so badly, that she told me that she feels like a zombie most of the time.
I do worry about her, as she lives on her own after the breakup last year of her 20 year relationship, but as my Dad told me at the weekend, she knows where i am if she needs me, so i have to stop worrying. Easier said than done though!
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Hello, I have late onset menopause (aged 60) and my gynae is convinced the only safe course of action to avoid possible chance of cancer is a hysterectomy. It seems extreme to me, just wondering if anybody else has been in a similar position?
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Hello LMA
I will see what I can do to help.
Firstly can you tell us a little about what is making your gynae say you need a hysterectomy- is it because you have had a scan which has shown a thickened lining or atypia? If you are simply this age with no suspicious symptoms or findings clinically then this is a different matter.
I was almost 59 when I had my final period. I saw a gynae (top consultant in London) who was not at all worried by my age as he said he was seeing this more and more. At this stage my lining was 6mm so I had a hysteroscopy and also a cervical polyp removed. After the surgery repeated scans showed something in the uterus that looked like a polyp or adenomyosis which was monitored, and last weekend I had surgery to remove this and am waiting for the histology as it is query now a fibroid like lesion. However since my last period 18 months ago my lining has become so atrophic it is less than 2mm and I have hardly any oestrogen on blood work.
So in essence I think hysterectomy is indicated for pre cancer or other reasons related to pathology but not just for age if everything else is normal. Have you had all the tests including bloods and scans? Are you in the UK?
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Thanks for your reply Machair. I would be interested to know who your gynae is please as I live in London.
My problem seems to be that I’m still having periods, controlled to an extent by taking progesterone, which makes me seem like a freak to all the consultants (3) I have seen so far. They keep thinking it’s post menopausal but since I’ve had no menopause symptoms and still have quite high oestrogen it seems unlikely.
I did have a very thick lining to the uterus but with a couple of d &c ops, polyp removals and a Mirena coil put in all seemed fine for 2 years then my body expelled the coil with some huge clots.
Since then I’ve had 3 MRIs, 2 ultrasounds, a biopsy (of an atypical fibroid, half in and half out of he uterus wall, result was benign). So despite all the evidence, they still recommend a hysterectomy because of the cancer risk from thd continued exposure of my uterus to oestrogen and the possibility that the bit of the fibroid they couldn’t reach is cancerous.
I have so far refused the hysterectomy as it’s major surgery based on no actual evidence of need. I’m just ‘different’ and if would be really good to see a consultant who recognises that late menopause is normal.
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I can send the name of my consultant by private message if that would help. He is private so not sure if that is what you are looking for but if so I can certainly help.x
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That would be great please. My consultations so far have been private.
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Lovely I have sent that for you.x
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Thank you so much for your email. X
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Hi,
I am 61 and had last period 18 months ago.
However, I have been having, slight spotting up to approx 7 months ago. I really do believe that the "spotting" was a period - I got all the premenstrual symptoms, and the time- line was roughly every 4,5,6 wks.
Interesting, I was taking bioidentical hormones- Progesterone, Oestrogen, Testosterone and ACTH..... (from a private Menopause Clinic) ...Initially I had a blood test ( damn exspensive) and was told that I still had some Oestrogen and that was why I was still having periods?? ****
I have now given up the private prescription I cannnot afford it, and, realize that I can get near enough natural bioidentical hormones from my GP.
The problem is that now I have stopped the private prescription I am going through hell! My next app to discuss HRT is in 2 half wks!!!
**I interesting, I too have M.E, allergies, underactive Thyroid, Adrenal fatigue and B12 deficiency. ## I have very severe depression and Anxiety.....
The Anxiety definitely brought on with Perimenopause/Menopause.
My GP stated, that at 57,58,59,60 yrs that no way I should still be going through the Menopause!! ### So helpful......
Kind Regards,
Ollybear
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It sounds so difficult, @Booblet!
You have my sympathy. I hope you can maybe ask to have your appointment brought forward. It sounds important to me, so you should not be suffering. :'(
Your GP needs to catch up with the news about menopause. Ask her to watch the excellent videos, and read the excellent information notes in this forum!
I am 56, and in perimenopause. There is no denying it, so why does your GP think differently about any of her women patients with menopause at an older age??
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If you have time on your hands try a forum search. Someone posted some research showing some women are in their early 60s before they reach meno. But I can't remember who posted it and I don't think the thread started as an age related one. I was still mostly regular when I started hrt at 57 so your gp is talking her backside.
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I totally agree. Late menopause is not that unusual and it doesn't help when we are told the average age is 51. You immediately feel you are a freak or that you are ill with something very serious especially as time goes on.
It has been a long road for me and one that I wish I had spent less time worrying about my age and whether I was normal when in fact I was. I know that as I developed a cervical polyp at 58 only seen before the menopause and triggered by hormonal ups and downs. I was monitored in my late fifties with blood tests and sure enough all of a sudden PMT disappeared (which had become horrendous) migraines stopped, vaginal dryness started and within 18 months I had very low oestrogen and my lining of the uterus went from 6mm to less than 2mm.
We are all different and many of us are still regular at 55 and beyond. I think it is important to be checked out with a scan after 55 just in case there are abnormalities- for example it is possible ovulation has stopped so with next to no progesterone it is possible to build up a thickened lining which over time can become a worry which can be corrected.There could be polyps or fibroids which may need monitoring.
I think it is time the NHS changed the advice to say that menopause can begin anywhere between 46 and 60 instead of focussing on one age group. If you are still having periods over 55 I would have a scan to ensure all is well and certainly anyone with bleeding after 60 must be checked out as this is unusual.
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It's a problem for anyone outside the 'normal' age range. There are plenty of posts from members denied hrt because the gp thinks they're too young for their symptoms to be meno related.
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Exactly just as we were late others can be very early, and both groups need to be taken seriously and offered advice.
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I have experienced a lot of bleeding since starting evorel conti ( took evorel sequi before as I was having regular periods when I went on it age 56) I am now 59 and have had episodes of bleeding and on occasions flooding, it coincides with me feeling rough generally so feels hormonal. The gynaes refuse to contemplate that I may not be fully menopausal at may age and keep wanting me to have hysteroscopy and biopsy which I have refused when the need for them is not clearly evidenced.
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You may be better on a sequi regime,at least then you'll know when to expect a bleed and it might be better than the lining building up. Or a mirena which should stop the bleeding even if you're peri. I've had 2 'normal' periods since turning 60 though they were 3 months apart. They didn't want to believe me when I went on hrt at 57, apparently everyone is meno by 54 ;D.
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Hello all,
Coming to this thread late. I've posted a few times on the site and although I know late menopause is happening to others, I do feel out on a limb!
I will be 57 in January. The longest I've gone without a period is 9 weeks. I stopped HRT a year ago as I didn't feel it was helping and may be why I hadn't gone through menopause. Well, then the horrendous flooding started. I bled for 8 weeks, had a scan, eventually a hysteroscopy and a polyp was removed. At that point, as I had had 9 weeks bleed free we decided not to go for the mirena which I've been reluctant to have. But then my periods came back with a vengeance. My biopsy also showed disordered proliferative endometrium which my GP didn't really understand and panicked me about. When I rang the consultant's secretary the senior hysteroscopy nurse told me it's extremely common in perimenopause, wasn't worried at all, and I'm only being recalled for a biopsy after 4 months (later this month) as a precaution due to my late menopause! (I am worried but also wonder how many other women have this who are never biopsied when their cycles are erratic).
I feel a bit of a 'freak' at work as most colleagues younger than me have stopped their periods or are having long gaps. I had two lighter ones, preceded by horrendous breast pain, low mood and migraine (21-24 day cycles) then the last one was heavier (albeit way better than before the polyp was removed) and coincided with much-needed leave from a stressful job and the day of a family wedding! I ended up in tears, had panic attacks and low mood and have felt very low since. On the one hand, I feel young for my age, am active and have few hot flushes, but I do feel a bit of an outcast for want of a better word and am now dreading my biopsy later this month.
It was so reassuring to find this thread. I really do feel quite alone. I am also dreading going back to work as my break has not been the rest I'd hoped for. I'm loathe to go back on HRT as I feel it made my cycles worse and my doctor just wasn't very good at finding the right balance. Despite being the menopause 'specialist' her views seem quite limited and 'one size fits all'. I may as well just grin and bear it. I at least feel less alone now. ;D
Love to you all.
X
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Hello pricey. For a minority there is a lot of us!
That medical term is one for university challenge ;D . It sounds like the consultant's team know what to do, and I hope that you biopsy is no trouble at all for you.
Reading these posts makes me realise that nobody at work talks about women's health. Or maybe the younger women talk to each other and imagine I am beyond that stage? I can honestly say I do not feel like a part of the group, when I am working in the group having thought about it.
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hello! I was having fairly regular periods at nearly 55, when I first went to the GP for HRT. 9 months down the line I've just had an HRT review and the GP has said that I should stay on sequential HRT for another year, as I have a very regular withdrawal bleed exactly 2 days after I stop my utrogestan tablets (I take 15 tabs vaginally over 12 days, each cycle).
I still use contraception too. I don't want any surprises!
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Hi ladies
So glad to have seen this subject " Late Menopause over 55"
Been 55.7 yrs young ;) and always suffered with heavy periods I'm now 88 days and counting with no period
It was only 2 mths ago that I started having Hot flushes mostly at night . The last 5 days I've been having a clear discharge like Ovulation so now I'm thinking will I get a period :'( Two years ago I went 60 days without a period and when it came it was SO BAD I couldn't leave the house so I'm worried if I do get another with the large gap it will be really heavy
I've taken Evening Primrose oil for over 20yrs but since starting hot flushes I increased my dosage and changed to decaf coffee and not had a hot flush now for 7 days ......dont know if its coincidence or part of this journey . Not wanting HRT because I'm coping even with lack of sleep and aches and pains .
I did read benefits on late menopause but also read it could lead to higher risk of Breast/Cervical cancer
Would love to hear your thoughts
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I hate to burst your bubble but it sounds as though your own hormones are kicking in again so perhaps your symptoms have gone because you have enough of your own oestrogen. I don'ttthink there's been much research into benefits/risks of late meno has there? Most doctors seem to think everyone is meno by 54. Hopefully the next bleed won't be so bad, the build up should reduce as oestrogen levels fall. Taking hrt is a personal choice but don't rule it out completely. I decided quality of life was the most important factor but you may be lucky and not suffer too much.
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Hi ladies l had my last period at 58 have gone 4 yrs post menopause no hrt thought l was too old but not too bad with symptoms .Until l had smear test which was fine one week later was hit by what felt like a axe in my skull my god anxiety depression neg thoughts hot sweats more facial hair than chewbacca and most other symptoms too.Have had to take ads since cant take tbe negative thoughts just starting feel some relief
last couple days wondering if anyone has similar story this has completely floored me .
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hello Dee. almost same as me. Ive had to start on A D s also.last period age 59 and 6 months. then thinking now thats all over im ok. Then the
morbid thoughts ,sheer anxiety,ocd , ptsd, etc all started with a vengeance 2 years AFTER last period. women should be
made aware that once the last period arrives, you can feel ok for few years after,become complacent, then WHAM!
it seems never ending.
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Hi funnell hope we get over this which lm sure we will have been taking cialopram for 6 going into 7th week feeling some good days but bad ones too .Hoping effects build up soon .Helps to know lm not alone but hate the fact that you suffering too.Would be able to cope if the mobid thoughts would go .Fingers crossed we will be over it soon will keep updating you update too take care
Dee x
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You're not too old to start hrt. If your gp won't help ask for a referral to a monopause clinic.
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Thanks Sheila will do that .will do anything get rid of these thoughts feel like l cant live my life need to feel normal
Will see what dr says
Dee xx
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Hi Funnell hope you are getting some relief with ads lm on citalopram 20mg been on them for 7 weeks now just starting having days without the morbid thoughts still have blips but definately getting better slowly out walking every day so that helps too .At least the dog happy .Just hope the thoughts go completely let me know how you are
Dee x
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Delighted to find this thread too. Thanks for all the input. Amazing to see the symptoms that can even occur after menopause. Hope Sheila and Dee are doing better.
I did not know how many women kept on having periods after age 53/54. Am 56 and six months . I do go a few months without a period and then they kick in again. Feel like that is happening just now.
Feel very fortunate in that Evorel patches work great for me so feel in a good place. Just upping the moisturising as getting drier everywhere.
Hope to keep chatting to you all on this thread as we go through it!
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Hi Helenhelena hope you ok lm just about feeling bit better ads kicking in morbid thoughts fading a little other symptoms still here but bearable hope the worst is over keep in touch and we will get through this together
Dee x
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I’m 53 and still getting periods all over the place every few weeks then once a month again, heavy one minute then barely anything.
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57 now and cycles skip to two of normal number of days between, then a blank cycle. Reading this forum I have learned that a pain I have could be ovulation pain which I did not used to notice. So that is on my list for telling my GP.
I hope everybody is managing well and I send best wishes to everybody.
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Just an update . Shall be 57 very soon. Suddenly menopause symptoms have strengthened and it all feels a bit different. Now gone 11 months withous a period. Several times it has felt that my body is trying to have one. But hasnt. So this might be it. i would love to up the HRT if possible as the itching has become very ntense and unpleasant. Will post on another board about that :)
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A lack of oestrogen may cause the itchy feelings >:(. Using a good moisturiser might help.
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Hi! welcome here too. We are a Mine of Info..
I think that we are offered mammograms on the NHS to a certain age after which we can request if worried; we won't automatically be called. Same with smears ........ I think :-\ though I consider the latter important.
Do read the vaginal atrophy thread ;-).
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Hi, I had last period at 53 and then 5 years post meno. My point is don't think 5 years post meno means you have missed the worst it can get. I started worst symptoms 7 months ago aged 58. I had thought I had managed to plough through meno and was waiting for the magical 5 years post and being through it. NOT!! turns out you can have late onset symptoms at any time and I am now struggling with worst meno symptoms ever and has totally ruined my plans for an active semi retirement. Sorry to be a misery but the end of periods does not necessarily mean ending of symptoms - it can get you any time.
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oh ange63 :foryou:
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Yes Ange63 also :hug:
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And yes, to update I was finally 12 months period free in March. So at age 57 officially at menopause at last. Feel reasonably good. HRT invaluable and would not be without it. No unbearable symptoms now. So wont be posting on this board any more but all the best to everyone :thankyou: :foryou: :vibe:
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Hi new member here so pleased to find this thread I was starting to feel a bit of an oddity I am 56 turn 57 in a couple of days and still having periods just had a tranvaginal scan because my gp was saying I was too old not to be post menopausal but the consultant said my lining was 3mm which was reassuring so he just wants to monitor me for a few months the longest gap between periods I have managed is 4 months really hope I am approaching the finishing line soon so fed up with it all
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Hi Fiesta
Welcome to the forum, and I lconsider women like myself, a bit vintage. There are a few of us older women who don't fit neatly in to the text books. Am sick of hearing the average age for menopause is 51. Well, we're not are we?
I am also 56, and up until end of last year was getting periods every single month without fail. Never missed a month. So what with 40+ years of massive pmt mood swings, then being hit with peri symtoms, I tried several (failed) ways to cope before going into estradot patches and the mirena coil. The coil, after time to settle has stopped my periods (despite an odd bleed last month) which in turn has helped by my emotional upheaval and despair with periods, and the worsening mood swings.
You are not alone, late onset menopause is very real and brings its own set of problems too.
This forum is packed with knowledge and experience and support and understandng.
I am grateful to know you are hereto Fiesta!
If I can help you with anything, do ask. If I don't know, chances are there is someone here who will!
X
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Hi fiestalady
:welcomemm:
Hi new member here so pleased to find this thread I was starting to feel a bit of an oddity I am 56 turn 57 in a couple of days and still having periods just had a tranvaginal scan because my gp was saying I was too old not to be post menopausal but the consultant said my lining was 3mm which was reassuring so he just wants to monitor me for a few months the longest gap between periods I have managed is 4 months really hope I am approaching the finishing line soon so fed up with it all
Your doc is ridiculous saying that. The stats (so I've read) are that in Western society 80% of women are post-meno by age 54 so that leaves a very substantial minority who are not!!!! You docs should be aware of this, but because of your age and because of these stats, obviously the further past 54 you get the fewer women there will be who have not reached menopause, so it is wise to get checked out because problems will be more likely and potentially more serious at that age.
So apart from that comment by your doc, they did the right thing to refer you. The fact that your lining was so thin is great!! When was the scan taken in relation to your last bleed? Also are you on any sort of progestogen contraception like Mirena or POP?
Hurdity x
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Im new to this forum, but great to find this thread as i too am 57 and still having periods! i have also had to have a scan and awaiting results. Ive been having hot flushes and also rapid heart beating, but also just found out my thyroid is slightly overactive, (im underactive) so unsure whether it's menopause or thyroid....thoroughly fed up of the anxiety though :( again this could be either!
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Hiya Greenfield, welcome!
Two good things, you are having investigations as to what may be going on with your body, and you have joined this forum for some great advice and support. Threads on thyroid on here too. In fact almost every subject seems to be covered.
Am 56 and only stopped periods due to having mirena coil fitted. Few of us non here in vintage age. X
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I'm only 51 but still regular as clockwork - closer together and flooding but no sign of stopping. My best friend (50) is done and dusted with it all, and my sister was done by about 50 I think. I guess I'm too early to say I'm a late menopause but I do feel like I'm a bit behind the curve.
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The average age to reach menopause seems to be between 51 and 55. Not sure if this means post meno (one year without a period) or just that you've had your last period by 55. I don't think you are behind the curve. I was still having fairly regular periods at 53 having had peri symptoms for four years including nine months with no periods before they began again. I started HRT at 53 so I don't know when I'd have stopped natural periods.
Sorry that you are having flooding. The fact that your periods are now happening closer together is a sign of peri menopause though.
Taz x :)
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I think it is slowly becoming accepted that ages of menopause do not always fit the text books, both in early and late meno.
In my experience 51 seems reasonable to still be peri. I am almost 57, which is quite unusual it seems. And get pms and sometimes spotting ( am on mirena so no real periods) every 4 weeks without fail. No sign of finishing or even becoming erratic. My sister was 58 and had erratic periods before finally becoming post meno.
It is hard not to compare with other women and their own experiences. I get very frustrated \ angry that most of my friends had all finished by 50! But like Taz, I don't think you are behind the curve. It's gotta stop sometime, but that doesn't help us still going through it. Watch your iron levels maybe if the flooding continues.?
Take care x