Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Yammy1]

This is probably one of the stupidest questions ever posted on this site but here goes. how do you know if your in peri or meno or past it? I had hysterectomy 5 years ago (kept ovaries) and have no idea where I am. I read comments on this site about women saying they are in peri or meno or  over it and I was just wondering how they know.

[Beaker]

Not a stupid question at all.  The menopause seems to be a bit of a mystery to many (including GP's!).

I understand perimenopause to be the build-up to the menopause.  Hormones fluctuate and symptoms start.  This period can last about 4 years or more.

The menopause literally means cessation of periods. 

However it is difficult for you as you have had a hysterectomy but kept your ovaries.  You might need to assess your symptoms and consult your GP - perhaps a blood test is the only way of telling??

[Annie0710]

I was in your situation and initial blood results showed Peri, then when I was 48 and they did bloods again (to rule out thyroid etc ) it showed post meno

I've had to rely on the few blood tests as like you I have no womb

[Hurdity]

Hi - no question is stupid! Blood tests can't definitively so whether you are post-menopausal because they vary so much because even when peri FSH levels sometimes go into the post-menopausal range. However as Annie0710 says, a blood test which showed raised FSH and also combined with age and symptoms would give you an indication that you are going through menopause, as you don't have a menstrual cycle to tell you. Sometimes hysterectomy causes ovaries to fail earlier than they would normally - so I understand.

Hurdity x

[Yammy1]

Thank you all for replying, I guess I'll ask doc to take some bloods next time I'm there and see where I'm at