peri vs post menopause
I had to be scoped a couple of weeks ago. My surgeon feared that i may have Barretts esophagus...turned out to be just a really bad case of acid reflux...but, when i checked into the hospital for the test, the nurse asked all the usual questions...one of them being..and just how long have you been post menapausal?...i suppose, because of my age (54), she just assumed...well, i gave her one of MY looks and told her, if anything, i was just perimenopausal...let me knock on wood, i havent had TOM since April 9th...so, i spose i could be expereincing the beginnings(fingers and toes crossed)...my question is...when is one teetotally post menopausal...i have heard that if you go ONE year without TOM, that you are...just wondering...if so, 10 more months....YOOHOO
on 6/17/12 1:16 pm
I went 3 years with elevated levels when we thought I was going to stop my periods, but sure enough they kept coming - only 2 or 3 times per year. Overall, it took 10 years of starting and stopping = perimenopause.
I would have to discontinue contraception to discover if I were amenorrheic.
This is why we are given FSH tests and why the results of this test are used as the diagnostic tool.
Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist
In order to determine menopause - you need FSH, LH and estrodial levels. Without all 3, it is an inaccurate diagnosis. I am not sure how they would determine in your case, but just hormone levels isnt enough. My levels showed menopause for 5 years before my periods stopped completeley.
I have a degree in midwifery (women's reproductive systems from puberty to menopause) - I am more than happy with my knowledge and diagnosis - you really should consider some sort of medical career with all your experience and self knowledge
Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist
I have had an odd period and times of spotting in the last year so wouldn't qualify under the "no periods for one year" criteria!
I will consider myself post menopausal when I no longer have any periods or other symptoms (like these bloody hot flashes!!!!!!!)
Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist
on 6/17/12 1:42 pm
the bloody hot flashes continue forever unless you get on hormone replacements.(from what I am told).. I'm not doing the hormone replacements because of the cancer risks that run in my family... I've been period free for 5 plus years now and the hot flashes are the same today as they were when all this mess started.... I guess that is our punishment huh!!!!
My mother and sister didn't get hot flashes for more than a year or two so I'll keep my fingers crossed that this is genetic and that getting hot flashes "forever" is not a given!!!!
I'm not doing oestrogen replacement whatever happens - my symptoms do not warrant the cancer risk ...
Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist