Hi fedupDonna
Although your doc says you are likely to be post-menopausal - you cannot tell where a woman is in menopause on the basis of FSH tests alone as they can go into the post-menopausal range even while still peri-menopausal. Unfortunately you can't tell from your period cycle either because you have a Mirena and as you have found - periods often stop well before menopause .
However at your age and with the blood tests indicating at least peri-menopause and with the symptoms you describe (flushes and sweats) - then have you thought about HRT? This is the only thing that will reliably alleviate these symptoms ( if due to menopause) and should be the first line of treatment according to the NICE Guidelines. When you say "that was that" after doc visit following blood tests - did doc not suggest anything then? Maybe you are medically unable to have it? If so there are prescribable alternatives which can work for some women.
The thing is if you are OK with the Mirena, HRT is easy - you just find an oestrogen to suit - whether tablet, patch or gel - start with a low dose and try for a few weeks. If this isn't enough then you gradually increase until the flushes and sweats disappear, and then bingo
. If you have an underactive thyroid it is also important to monitor this around the time of menopause and from what I've read transdermal ( ie patch or gel) oestrogen would be preferred. You would just get the Mirena changed after 4 years (when used as part of HRT) instead of 5 years (as contraception).
All the oestrogen types are listed here:
https://menopausematters.co.uk/treatafter.php. If using a patch Estradot is a good one as they are very small but apparently there can be some temporary supply problems. Even if you only take it for a few years you should get symptom relief as well as additional protection of your bones and heart.
Hope this helps
Hurdity x
