so when you are in your mid 40's

[dancer67]

And you have skipped your period for the first time, and not pregnant. What could this mean?

 

I just had a GYN appt last month, just a check up, all was fine, pap smear good.

 

I have had no changes in medications, or extra stress or excessive weight loss or gain. I am 45. What is the general rule to see your GYN about skipped periods?

 

What is the worse thing it could be to have someone my age skip a period?(I always worry about fibroids or cancers)

 

Do any of you see your Dr if you are my age and have skipped your period for 3 months?

 

In the past my cycle always came on or around 27 days. Lating about 5 days with scant spotting on days 6/7.

 

TIA!

 

PS. On the bright side, I sure am enjoying the break.

[Scarlett]

Did they check your hormone levels?

[caroljenn]

Lots of people I know start having VERY irregular periods when they hit their 40s, myself included, I haven't skipped, but I have had two week long spottings and twice a month too. I wouldn't worry about it, but you could go into the gyn for a checkup to make sure. =)

[besroma]

Sounds like perimenopause. There are a few good threads of people posting their experiences.

 

Perimenopause can last 10 years. Bleh.

[dancer67]

Well, I was just at the GYN last month. No U/S or anything. But pelvic and pap. Both normal. He does not believe in hormone testing as he believes they are very innacurate. He tells me it changes so constantly.

 

So, since I just went. Should I wait and just see if it shows up mext month? I have had no insomnia or hot flashes.

 

I guess when you get to be this age, I know things are going to start changing. But I never know if it is normal or not? I love the break, but I do not want to enjoy it if something serious is going on and I should call and get it checked out. It has only been one month.

 

Other then hormonal changes, and the other stuff they usually say(exercise, weight loss/gain, medications, stress, illness) is there anything dangerous I need to be concerned with?

[elegantlion]

Sounds like the beginning of the end. My mom went through menopause by her mid 40s.

[dancer67]

Well, I certainly hope so!!! I want this done and over with. Can anyone tell me though,(for reassurance) can cancer or anything dangerous make you skip periods?

[gardenmom5]

perimenopause.

 

eta: I have a middle age female gyn. after test results, she sent me to a middle age female internist. NEITHER ONE OF THEM MADE THE CONNECTION TO m.e.n.o.p.a.u.s.e. with my symptoms :cursing: Hello, did the fact I have a first grader make them forget my age?

[KungFuPanda]

You could go in, but it won't do any good. They'll just tell you that everything goes after 40. I went in about 5 minutes after I turned forty because I had a 2 week period. They were not remotely impressed. Told me to come back if it became a pattern. Hasn't happened since.

[gardenmom5]

oh - you're not officially "done" until you have not had a cycle for a year. 11 months and 28 days isn't a year. the clock starts all over if you bleed before your year is up.

[gardenmom5]

Sounds like perimenopause. There are a few good threads of people posting their experiences.

 

Perimenopause can last 10 years. Bleh.

 

I had symptoms in my 30's. then I got pregnant . . . . . it took a few years for everything to go back into perimenopause.

 

the irony - when I was in my "childbearing years", my cycles were regularly irregular. after dudeling, they were like clockwork, until they stopped. . . . .

[sewingmama]

Well, I certainly hope so!!! I want this done and over with. Can anyone tell me though,(for reassurance) can cancer or anything dangerous make you skip periods?

 

 

I'm pretty sure that signs of cancer include heavier bleeding or spotting in between periods - not skipped periods.

[dsmith]

Perimenopause could cause skipped periods. I started out skipping periods a few years ago, and then the hot flashes started. I thought they were pretty bad, until the last 2 months or so. I never in a million years thought hot flashes could be so bad!! I also have insomnia, moodiness, weight gain, etc... I haven't had a period in about 3-4 months now, which is the longest I've skipped, so I don't know if perhaps that was my last one. It better be, after going through this!!

[asta]

I'm pretty sure that signs of cancer include heavier bleeding or spotting in between periods - not skipped periods.

 

 

Nah - I've had it all. I just happened to hit peri-menopause in my mid/late thirties.

 

I'd advise getting a check up, but don't be surprised if you get a completely normal hormone panel. As my endocrinologist says "a hormone panel is just a snapshot in time - it never tells the whole picture". The whole picture is the messed up periods, the hot flashes, the drying out of membranes (not just 'down there' but also your lips, your eyes, your skin), etc.

 

There are whole books about it. You can probably find one at your library.

 

 

a

[skeeterbug]

I think in the absence of other symptoms you are okay, but I say that without any experience of my own. When my mum had a benign tumour she had heavy bleeding and pain.

[Pawz4me]

My fibroid caused heavy and prolonged bleeding, not skipped periods.

 

However . .. I do absolutely think there is WAY too much assumption on this board that anything wonky with periods is related to perimenopause. Sure it's common and sure it's responsible for a lot of symptoms. But there are lots of other things that can cause wonky periods. If in doubt I'd at least suggest a call to your doctor.

[asta]

My fibroid caused heavy and prolonged bleeding, not skipped periods.

 

However . .. I do absolutely think there is WAY too much assumption on this board that anything wonky with periods is related to perimenopause. Sure it's common and sure it's responsible for a lot of symptoms. But there are lots of other things that can cause wonky periods. If in doubt I'd at least suggest a call to your doctor.

 

My prolonged bleeding was from a fibroid. My irregular periods were from the peri. Unfortunately, it was happening at the same time, LOL.

 

That's why I always tell people to go to their doctor. ;)

 

 

a

[Scarlett]

I am not a doctor, but one skipped period would not alarm me at all. Especially since you just had a check up.

[dancer67]

The last time I skipped a period, I went in and saw him(that was two years ago, and the only time I skipped). He sent me for an ultrasound but he just said I could have one if it made me feel better. He will not do hormone testing. I asked him the last time I was in last month. He doesn't agree with them.

My last two periods were really strange. I ALWAYS spot before I get my periods. In October, I didn't spot. Just got my period. Lasted the normal 5 days and scant spotting on day 6.

In November I spotted like always. 3 days, then got my period. Lasted again about 5 days, but i spotted until day 9.

Then I saw my GYN, told him about it. He didn't seem concerned as my exam was normal. Told me if anything changed to come back and see him.

Well, now things have changed since I skipped.

Other then that, I do not have any hot flashes or insomnia. My periods always come between days 26-29 with the average of being every 27 days.

I know being 45 things ARE going to change. Which I have noticed over the past few years starting with the spotting.

I suppose if I don't get it next month I will go in and see him.

Besides enjoying not having my period, this will give my body a chance to catch up on my iron stores since I take 3 iron pills a day. Have been for two years. I see a hematologist for that, and my numbers have been good since being on the iron. Just my ferritin could still use a little boost, even though I run around 35(used to be 8).

And, I am getting bloodwork in January. So by not having my period I am hoping my ferritin jumped a little.

Thanks ladies. It doesn't seem like there is anything to be concerned over so I am going to enjoy this. If this was the beginning of menopause and didn't get any other symptoms, I would be jumping for joy. I can't wait to get rid of that nasty visitor each month!