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[holly d]

Hi all, i'm new here, just wondered if anyone could help. I'm 52 still having regular heavy periods, but suffering with vaginal dryness after periods also tearfulness and terrible mood swings. Called my Doctor for a blood test to see if menopausal, he called me and just said sounds like menopause, bloods test wont really be helpful if you want to come in for a chat do that. Just wondered if anyone else is having regular periods with these other symtoms. Many thanks

[CLKD]

   blood tests are reliably unreliable 

Keeping a mood/food diary can help to see if there is a pattern.  Charting your symptoms helps.  Vaginal atrophy is when oestrogen begins to wane which causes the tissues to thin = dryness which can lead to urine infection symptoms.

I think a chat with your GP to see how the Surgery 'handles' menopause. Have a read of menus, left of screen and make notes.

Ask away!

[holly d]

Many thanks for the reply, think i will give GP another call

[peegeetip]

Hi

as I said in another post today the blood tests will measure things but are expensive when you start doing more entensive tests in the realm of hormones.

Why would they be available at all if they were "so" unreliable, its just to put you off.

If the docs did a series of blood tests for every one of us who was starting to venture into menopause valley then we'd bankrupt the health services around the world.

Ultimately I'd always go for a blood test if I was under the weather or had any concerns for my health.
Its good health practice.

In terms of the minimum, at least two blood tests across the month will give the most basic of baseline, more will obviously give a better picture.

If you are lower in estrogen then this will show up and depending on how low the doc could put you on either low, medium or higher hrt options.

Either way it will save them trying to guess or worse misdiagnose you.

Hope your session with doc goes well.

 

[renee]

3 years ago I went to the doc as I just wasn't feeling well, I had periods but they had changed to being very heavy but never thought or asked about Menopause.

So the doc says....well we will do a round of bloods and see what's going on. 4 days later I got a call from the doc asking if I was sitting down as the test had came back that I was going through the menopause!!

Shocked was an under statement....I was 45!!! So they do, do blood tests and they can be quiet accurate as from then on I have been very hormonal and my menopause journey is a nightmare. Xx

[carrs]

Hi Holly
It's normal to have perimenopause at 52, whereas it is less common at 45, so diagnosis should be made with more care at age 45.

It is normal to have heavy periods before they stop altogether, and the other symptoms are common as well. The GP would probably be following normal practice by NOT doing blood tests. The discussion needs to be about whether or not you have HRT, rather than whether or not you have blood teats.

[holly d]

Thanks very much for all your replies. I am now on Progesterone cream and EPO. I suffered with really bad Post Natal Depression because of a problem with my Hormones, that's why i was so keen to have a blood test.

 I registered with this Drs five years ago when i moved, they have never seen me, the GP had my notes infront of him during the call, but had to ask my age and hadn't looked back at my history, several people have apparently left this Practice. After another try i've pretty much given up there and did my own test. Many thanks to you all for all your help.

[holly d]

Thanks Sparkle, this is a great site and everyone is so kind to respond so quickly. xx

[Hurdity]

Hi holly d  from me too

The fact that you are still having regular heavy periods indicates that you still have plenty of oestrogen - at least enough to stimulate your uterus lining, but during peri-menopause the levels fluctuate. However if you are beginning to get vaginal dryness despite this has the doc checked for fibroids etc to see if there is any other reason for your heavy periods?

There is some excellent information on this site about heavy periods and bleeding especially leading up to menopause, and various treatments (orange menu on left and sub-tabs) http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/heavyperiods.php

Also a great article on perimenopause on this site too here:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/article-perils-of-the-perimenopause.php

Sounds like you would benefit from vagifem ( local oestrogen to help plump up vaginal tissues) - here is some information: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/vaginalsymptoms.php (and sub tabs).

Mood swings and tearfulness are to be expected in early peri-menopause - I had this - but didn't know I was in peri-menopause because my periods were regular so didn't even think about it. Provided you can cope OK and are aware of it - let yourself cry (I did a lot!) and know it will pass! The doctor might suggest you benefit from a low dose HRT (gives constant oestrogen dose - with progestogen to protect the womb) so that your oestrogen levels do not drop so dramatically just before your period so your mood does not dip so much.

If there isn't a knowledgeable or sympathetic doctor (re menopause) at your practice you might want to ask for a referral to a specialist?

Not sure why you are using progesterone cream - but it is unlikely to be of benefit in relation to your symptoms. The dose is not high enough to prevent heavy bleeding nor the pms symptoms from fluctuating levels.

Good luck with your investigations and keep us posted!

Hurdity x