Ok brief summary, well I will try and be brief. I am 44
Up until January 2010 periods normal, every 28 days light, lasted 3 days. Used to get stomach cramps for about a week before and a few stomach cramps during period, but no other symptons (ie breasts weren't tender)
Last regular period January 2010, then nothing until May 2010 (did a number of pregnancy tests, not pregnant (may I add I have never been pregnant). From May to October period returns, but heavier, average 5 days, August double period (two in the month) (during this timee of no periods I did mention to drs and told could be pre-menopausal). Periods each month, although not regular, ie might go 3 weeks then 5 weeks. October had one, not one since. December I did some more pregancy tests (negative was unlikely to be pregant as partner died Oct)
Since December I have put on some weight (always had a weight problem,usually I eat what I consider healthy, but will admit that between December and up until last week I was eating whatever I fancied including a lot of home baking,etc (so a lot of stuff that could put on weight). since last week I have been back eating regular and what I call a health diet (I eat fish (without a coat), vegetables, fruit (no meat, eggs now and then, no poultry), so semi vegetarian
Don't consider myself depressed, due to health condition I have ME/CFS dr happy to prescribe happy pills, but I don't want to take them, all I will take when pain really bad is painkillers and only when i have too.
I know periods can be delayed because of stress, etc...and recently had a lot of stress in life...partner died Oct, since then two friends have died & a close relative is ill. There has also been other hassles and at the moment there is an issue that I am trying to deal with/sort.
The last couple of months about a week before my period would have been due I have had bad stomach cramps and then nothing. The past few days one breast (under right breast and also nipple area) has felt sore and tender.
occasionally i get a mild hot flush, usually at night, so chuck duvet off until i cool down. off hand cant think of any other symptons
I recently did another pregnancy test (negative), did another test just in case the others were wrong, as I read some where that they are only about 47 percent accurate and not the 99 percent they usually say they are.
When at drs last month I mentioned to her about weight gain she just said it happens with age!
At the moment I am having a lot of problems with pain (but thats more likely to be the ME/CFS I would think, started off left side, around hip area with mild to moderate, last night had pain down right side of face (that's gone) and woke during the night with a lot of pain on right side. I still have pain on the right side and in other places (with ME you get joint pain)
For those ladies that have been through the menopause/pre menopause recently any advice please.
sorry its a book chapter!
Hi Atlanticpearl,
I'm sorry that life's been so challenging for you recently.
Several things strike me from your post. If you think there's a very real chance that you could be pregnant, could you ask your doctor directly, if he would do a test. That would settle it once and for all.
Similarly, he/she could also do a homone test to see if you are in the midst of the menopause.
As far as the actual symptoms you have, yes, in my experience, they could be perimenopausal, although you're a little below the average 'menopause age'. But likewise, they could just be the result of hormonal imbalances, which you've acknowledged may reflect the stresses you've had.
If you want to move on from this, once the doctor's clarified issues, you could go down the complementary therapy route, approaching things from a more holistic angle and regaining some balance, emotionally and physically. HTH Hom