# So, ladies, does your monthly just stop? perhaps tmi **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 7, 2008, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173 "2008-08-07T15:14:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/41 "2013-04-02T18:22:25Z")
I started perimenopause when I was in my early 40s – erratic periods that would show up whenever they felt like it, the insomnia, mood swings, etc. My periods started petering out when I was maybe 45 or 46, first going from 5 to 2-3 days, then the flow going from heavy (which had been always my “normal”) to so light all I needed was a panty shield. Had no other symptoms during that time. The interval between each became longer, too, maybe from every month to every other month to every three months. It drove me nuts because I had to carry something “just in case” all the time 😛 My very last period was around Thanksgiving maybe 4-5 years ago. I had my thyroid out that summer and had absolutely nothing happen until the much-dreaded “whoops!” I had to ask Extended Family’s daughter if she had a tampon. That period lasted maybe 2 days. Haven’t had anything since, not even a hot flash. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/42 "2013-04-03T00:56:09Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > I expect September’s to come 2 weeks early though since I will be at Dragon\*Con and the previous 2 times I have gone my period always came early in order to make the trip that much more fun. Although the previous times it was only a few days to a week early, I am sure it will make that extra effort to be 2 weeks early this time. :rolleyes: I literally laughed out loud! D\*C 2012, red alert! Then this past All-Con in Dallas, the same. My picture poses in my Pin-up or Steampunk are _so_ enhanced by the deathmask of a combination of pain, pharmaceuticals, and the need to squeeze the life out of something. The only costume enhanced by all this is the Sith Lord 501st - the “imma kill you if you breathe” look kinda goes with it. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/43 "2013-04-03T01:05:02Z")
This is a 2008 thread; our policy now is to move medical threads to IMHO, so I’m going to do that. Please note that anything someone posted five years ago may no longer be the case for that person. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/44 "2013-04-03T18:59:49Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > I had to get three blood tests, a week apart, so they could check my hormone levels throughout the month. She said there was virtually no hormone activity and it was a pretty safe bet I was done. Nothing since, and I’m 52. I _think_ I have a very good, reputable OB/Gyn. I have asked her – specifically requested – a hormone panel. “Can we draw blood and check hormone levels?” And she tells me “There’s no way to check your hormone levels.” What’s up with that? Is she oversimplifying and there is a way, you just have to do multiple tests because hormone levels (obviously) fluctuate during a given cycle? Or should I find a new doctor? ☹ Why do I learn from the SDMB that people are getting their hormone levels checked, but my doc refuses to consider it? (Nevermind that I don’t need it and I’m not trying to diagnose anything. Just wanted to know if they can check and say “Yep, waning, you’ll be launching into perimenopause soon.”) ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/45 "2013-04-03T21:23:47Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > I Why do I learn from the SDMB that people are getting their hormone levels checked, but my doc refuses to consider it? (Nevermind that I don’t need it and I’m not trying to diagnose anything. Just wanted to know if they can check and say “Yep, waning, you’ll be launching into perimenopause soon.”) The only time I’ve ever had my hormone levels checked outside of the tests I had pre- and post-thyroidectomy was during a routine GYN exam a few years ago. The nurse asked me about my then-erratic menstruation; I told her about it, we both thought I probably was in perimenopause, but she ordered the tests just to make sure. The results showed that indeed my hormone levels were all over the place (hence the perimenopause) but the levels couldn’t discern anything about impending menopause at that particular time. ---
**Author:** ![beatlejuice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a8b319/32.png) [@beatlejuice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beatlejuice)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/46 "2013-04-05T17:16:52Z")
> [@Suse](#): > > I had heavy periods for a couple of years. Mentioned them to my family physician and he said it was probably perimenopause. Then they stopped for four months. Around that time, I visited the doctor for prescription refills and got the requisite blood work done. The tests showed that I was insulin-resistant and slightly anemic. He put me on Metformin and iron pills. Then my period started again, was regular for two months, and then started in November and didn’t stop until February. Not heavy every day, not heavy most days, but something every single day. And I felt horrible - headaches, dizzy spells, too exhausted to do anything but go to work and come home. I had felt that way for the last few years but this was worse. I couldn’t stand up for more than about 5-10 minutes, my head hurt constantly, I caught colds and the flu. I craved ice and never wanted to eat; I lost about 30 pounds. > So if anyone has these sorts of issues now or in the future, please visit your doctor. Get a referral if needed to an expert. Please don’t put yourself through what I experienced. I had a very similar experience. However, I simply doubled over and ended up having an emergency hysterectomy. I’m surprised none of the women here mentioned “change of life baby.” You think your done with it and then BAM…baby number 3, 4, or 5! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/47 "2013-04-05T21:18:46Z")
> [@beatlejuice](#): > > I had a very similar experience. However, I simply doubled over and ended up having an emergency hysterectomy. > > I’m surprised none of the women here mentioned “change of life baby.” You think your done with it and then BAM…baby number 3, 4, or 5! :eek: Harrumph. Guess I know whose ignore list I’m on. (See post #3. 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/48 "2013-04-05T23:27:19Z")
I like men. Honestly I do. Two in my family. But I strongly recommend that if your OB-GYN is not female (and preferrably middle-aged) your chances of getting useful information about menopause aren’t the best. Short rant: why has so little research been done on this condition when half of humanity deals with it? So it’s good to see women sharing their experiences. Given mine I would recommend expecting the unexpected. And then expecting the unexpected. And then expecting the unexpected. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/49 "2013-04-06T00:59:24Z")
> [@Tethered\_Kite](#): > > I like men. Honestly I do. Two in my family. But I strongly recommend that if your OB-GYN is not female (and preferrably middle-aged) your chances of getting useful information about menopause aren’t the best. > > Short rant: why has so little research been done on this condition when half of humanity deals with it?\ I spent a good part of last year getting every test known to mankind (invasive, unpleasant, and otherwise) done on my heart - it turns out I have a normal heart for a 46 year old woman. Too bad the routine ECG I had done didn’t reflect that - it wasn’t normal for a 46 year old _man_, so we had to rule everything out. I was quite surprised to find out that they basically don’t have normals for women - just men. Second, less important gender, anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/50 "2013-04-06T17:45:02Z")
True that. And where’s our first woman President? Bet she’d have some good health care ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/51 "2013-04-06T18:31:56Z")
> [@Tethered\_Kite](#): > > True that. > > And where’s our first woman President? Bet she’d have some good health care ideas. I wouldn’t bet on it; to be successful in the Patriarchal system, she’d be more mannish than any two men. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/52 "2013-04-08T02:00:50Z")
When my mom was going through it she’s skip several months sometimes then have one. She had one come out of nowhere well into her 50s (after at least a year of not having one) that was so heavy she almost considered going to the ER. ---
**Author:** ![beatlejuice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a8b319/32.png) [@beatlejuice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beatlejuice)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/53 "2013-04-08T19:51:28Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Harrumph. Guess I know whose ignore list I’m on. (See post #3. 😉 ) Yes, sorry. No offense intended. I meant the words “change of life baby” specifically. ---
**Author:** ![eclectic\_wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac91a4/32.png) [@eclectic\_wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eclectic_wench)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173/54 "2013-04-08T23:25:49Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > I _think_ I have a very good, reputable OB/Gyn. I have asked her – specifically requested – a hormone panel. “Can we draw blood and check hormone levels?” And she tells me “There’s no way to check your hormone levels.” > > What’s up with that? Is she oversimplifying and there is a way, you just have to do multiple tests because hormone levels (obviously) fluctuate during a given cycle? Or should I find a new doctor? ☹ > > Why do I learn from the SDMB that people are getting their hormone levels checked, but my doc refuses to consider it? (Nevermind that I don’t need it and I’m not trying to diagnose anything. Just wanted to know if they can check and say “Yep, waning, you’ll be launching into perimenopause soon.”) That’s total bollix. It’s completely possible to check your hormone levels. Friends of mine have had it done due to fertility problems; hell, my GP checked mine because a little patch of my hair fell out. Among the hormones they checked is one (FSH) that \*specifically \*gives you an indicator of whether you’re headed towards menopause. Mine came back at 6.something; I think anything over 25 meant menopause was galloping over the horizon. It needs to be done between day 3 and day 5 of your cycle, and my GP said it’s not infallible, because the FSH level can vary from cycle to cycle. But it’s a pretty good indicator. Seriously: I’m not anything medical, but I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that your doctor is talking bollix. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ladies-does-your-monthly-just-stop-perhaps-tmi/459173.md?page=2)