Menopause How Old Were You When You Went Thru It

I had my 1st and only child when I was 39. I breastfed for a year and only got my period once after that. At age 40 I had my hormones tested and was told they were fine. They suggested I start taking birth control pills to "jump start my period". I opted out. Never had any hot flashes or other symptoms. The next time I had hormones tested 2 years later I was official in menopause according to the results.

I'm only 30, so I can't answer as to when. I do know my friend (36) thought she was having lots of hot flashes. She was actually carrying some extra weight that was getting to her. She lost 15 pounds, and the "hot flashes" are nearly gone. Have you gained weight recently?

I started with hot flashes (power surges) at about 38 - but the onset varies a lot from woman to woman.
It would be a good idea to get your thyroid checked out - hyperthyroid can make you feel hot.
I'll be 51 soon and the hot flashes have diminished but I still have a period - which is totally unpredictable.
My personal best is 63 days between them.
I'm to the point where I wish they'd stop already.
I can't tell when my Mom stopped since she had a hysterectomy when she was 45.
Peri-menopause can go on for 10 - 15 years before full menopause (which is going 1 full year without any period at all).

I didn't have my first symptoms until this year when I turned 51. Average time to get through peri-menopause is 8 years, so I have a long way to go.

The age when symptoms can start varies greatly and can start in your 30s. There are other things that can change hormones, though. Did you recently stop breastfeeding? I noticed some changes then.

I'm not sure what you mean by "hang tight" until your yearly appointment. There is really nothing to do for peri-menopausal symptoms except eat well, exercise regularly, take a daily vitamin, the usual stuff. Only if your symptoms become extreme would you want to discuss these with your doctor to see if hormone therapy would be something you'd want to try.

In the meantime, dress in layers. I've learned to do that well!

You're too young. I agree with Suzanne to have your thyroid checked. Explain what is going on with your doctor.

I think that peri-menopause started around 47 or so. It started slamming with a vengence at 49, exacerbated by other health problems. It transitioned into full on menopause during my 51st year. I finally gave in and started HRT earlier this year to reduce my hot flashes and give me a chance to sleep all night. I'm grateful!

Dawn

I'm 48 and still as regular as clockwork!

Google "peri menopause" -- that can last years!

I'm gong to throw this in:

I'm 33. I started having issues (worsening PMS, migraine headaches, more painful periods, digestive problems hot flashes) about a year ago.

I stopped ingesting caffeine. Problem completely solved.

Caffeine screws up your hormonal balance. :-)

(I still do have a Pepsi every so often, because it's the constant caffeine intake that causes the problems)

been working on peri-menopause for years now. Totally sucks.

I am 50.

It very well could be your thyroid, but you are NOT too young to be starting peri-menopausal symptoms.

I'm an RN who is now 50 but started having symptoms in my late 30's. I knew something wasn't right and went to 4 docs in 2 years only to be told that I was 'too young' and pretty much that I was nuts and came away with prescriptions for all kinds of pills! *The docs were 2 male OB/GYN's, 1 male family practice, and 1 female internist. I finally found a doc who said I was not too young and was the ONLY one who offered to draw blood to check my hormones. As it turned out I also have a thyroid issue, but my hormones were off as well. And as Cheryl C. mentioned, hormones (thyroid included) can fluctuate. AND lab 'norms' are so wide that your lab values can change several points, but still be within normal.
And someone else mentioned you can have symptoms that come and go a full 10-15 years before you actually go through menopause.

YOU need to be your own healthcare advocate and follow up if you feel you need to.

I know a girl who did go through menopause at around your age. It was hard but after it was over absolutely loved not having to worry about birth control or periods.

At 51. I am now 54. I was moody, nightsweats, ate everything, gained weight... :(

I'll be 47 in a couple months and nothing yet...

I started with hot flashes around age 37, had my FSH(follicle stimilating hormone) checked and it indicated I was already menopausal(normal level is between 10 and 15, mine was 77!). My sister started before 40 and Mom had a hysterectomy when she was early 40's, so we don't know about her. There is no explanation, could be hereditary said my doctor. My cycles were very irregular and was told I probably would not be able to conceive that second child we were hoping to be able to. Well, apparently, the FSH level can fluctuate as I did get pregnant 5 years later! I also agree with checking your Thyroid(tsh level) as I had issues with that too.

52. I don't know if it's impossible to go through menopause at 34, but it's highly unlikely.

You should have your thyroid checked just in case it could be the problem. I was around 45, fairly early, when I started with the hot flashes, night sweats, etc. Still get them at times but not nearly as bad and it's been years. It does take time for the hormone level to drop so some people have symptoms longer than others or shorter than others. Some people do have menopause start as early as 34 but it's not the norm so I would start with the thyroid.

It can happen this early. Basically, early on, early off. I started at 11 and off at about 44 with perimenapause in my 30s. Your gyn can do tests to see.

I'm 40 now, and peri-menopausal, not menopause yet. But I will say that around 36 my hormones took a pretty big shift, I got a lot more PMSy, breasts got SUPER tender around my period, a few hot flashes, migraines worsened, etc.

Definitely check at your yearly. It's possible that your hormones are changing a bit, but that menopause could still be years off.

I am just 40 and have been having perimenopausal symptoms for about 4 years...post baby #3 as well. Restless at night, hot flashes, extremely moody and emotional, change in my menstrual cycle, palpitations, forgetfulness. Welcome to middle age? :-)

I was told these symptoms can last up to ten years before true menopause. (Which literally means the end of the monthly cycle) and then all tje glorious changes that occur after that. I also believe these things may happen sooner (the perimenopausal stuff) for women who are smokers and/or have a high BMI.

I quit smoking, cut caffeine and have lost 130 pounds. I feel so much better all around that a couple hot flashes don't slow me down.

Good luck!