Hi everyone, I had internal ultrasound they found a cyst on my ovarie, and a blood test for ovarian cance (it was clear)I Had a CT scan from the ribs down nothing was found, now the Dr wants me to have a camera down the throat which terrifies me. My thyroid was checked too. All I've been offered is anti depressants I'm 46 now but when I think back some of the symptoms have been on and off for about 4 years. All I take is red clover and menopace. Any tips welcome
Does anyone else feel so rubbish as in every thing feels rubbish, constipation, bloating, stomach pain, feeling sick, joint pains, shaking, dizziness, anxiety, panic attacks and periods that come if and when they want, after being so regular[every 28 days with out fail] are just a few. Drs say its not menopause because my bloods came back fine and i dont have hot sweats. But i have read that a lot of woman dont have the hot flushes.....Am i going mad, some days its so bad i can bearly leave the house 
The first thing is that peri-menopause is now diagnosed on the basis of age, symptoms and cycle length - so if you are 45 and over, your cycle has become very irregular ( and consistently varies by eg about a week), and you are experiencing typical menopausal symptoms - then you are peri-menopausal.
Under 45 (sometimes) and especially under 40 (definitely), blood tests should be carried out because women heading for an early menopause should be advised to take HRT whatever their thoughts on this option - to help protect heart and bones amongst other health issues. Also blood tests may be necessary for women who don't have an obvious cycle eg have had hysterectomy or Mirena coil.
To clarify about FSH - FSH begins to vary and increase well before menopause - this is partly what defines peri-menopause (in addition to the cycle changes). In fact FSH can even start to vary before peri-menopause ie in the Late Reproductive Stage when periods often become closer together but ovulation is still happening every month. In any case FSH leves vary so much during the cycle that as above - the cycle changes, age and symptoms should be a better indication of peri-menopause. There is info on this website (top tabs - Menopause) about diagnosis.
As has been said not all women experience flushes and sweats - not sure of the percentage but probably the majority? However women who are taking certain medication - such as some anti-depressants (like CLKD), blood pressure medication etc may well not experience flushes since these drugs can also be prescribed for hot flushes for those who cannot take HRT - so that is another reason some women may not get them.
If you are not taking any such medication which would mask the fact that you might be experiencing hot flushes, and you aren't experiencing them, then despite cycle changes - it's good your doc is making sure there is nothing else wrong with you which could account for your symptoms as sometimes other things start to go awry around menopause.
If your cycle is that irregular and you are hardly getting any periods then in the absence of anything else wrong - yes you are peri-menopausal! How often are your periods now? If they are few and far between then at your age HRT is advisable - you could start at a low dose to see if it helps and certainly not anti-depressants!!! This is against current protocols for menopause - although if your doc is denying this then hopefully you can pursue this further - ie that you think you are peri-menopausal!
I'm not sure what effect the ovarian cyst would have on your cycle and symptoms? Has any treatment been suggested?
Bit of a ramble but hope it's helpful anyway and if I haven't said so already
!!
Hurdity x
