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Essy
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| Posted: Oct 17 2008 at 3:25pm | IP Logged
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Sorry if this is a really silly question...but how do you know that you've gone into menapause? Do you all of the sudden just no longer get your period? I think I've been in perimenopause for a while. My cycles were always 28 days long (even though I have unidentified infertility)...then my cycle started getting shorter. It's been an average of 25 days for quite a while now...with a 19 day month thrown in there and also had a 36 day month once a while back. Now here I am on CD 38...have been cramping for close to a week...but no bleeding. Is this it? Will it just be gone for now...or does it just get sporadic where you get it one month and then skip a month and so forth. I know that everyone is probably different. But I guess I'm just wondering what I should be doing, if anything.
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LeeAnn
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| Posted: Oct 18 2008 at 2:45am | IP Logged
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Essy, I'm only 37, and I haven't hit menopause, but I thought generally as menopause approaches, the cycles become longer and lighter, not short, erratic and crampier (is that a word?). I would wonder if you have thyroid deficiency or something similar. I have hypothyroidism caused by gluten-intolerance (celiac disease) and it did all kinds of weird things to my cycles, very closely following your description above. Just an idea to look into anyhow. Hopefully someone else who has actually been through menopause can answer your question.
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Anneof 5
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| Posted: Oct 18 2008 at 9:31am | IP Logged
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You don't know until it has been a year with no period. And it is different for everyone. I have actually gone as long as 6 months without one and then had a couple of really heavy ones.(And yes I have had my check-ups and my doctor knows what is going on.) At this point it has been since January so I am wondering if I am finished or not  ! My doctor thinks I probably am but she said to wait and see for sure. I had also heard the point about periods getting lighter but that rarely happened to me. It's too bad there isn't a more definite way of knowing exactly where we are in all of this. It is a definite test of patience!
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Essy
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| Posted: Oct 18 2008 at 10:27am | IP Logged
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Thank you ladies. Could you just say a prayer for me then? I'm still getting the cramps, but still nothing...I just want to cry.  I don't think I mentioned it on my first post, but I'm 45.
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Anneof 5
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| Posted: Oct 18 2008 at 10:40am | IP Logged
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Oh, Essy, I forgot to mention that getting cramps with no period happened to me several times. When I asked about it the doctor said it was caused by fluctuation in hormone levels. She adjusted the dosage of my natural bio-identical progesterone cream to even things out. Some sources also call it a "phantom" period where you feel like you are getting it but don't. It happens to some women during perimenopause. I will keep you in my prayers! Things will get better. I have to say I feel better now that I have gone months without a period than I did when things were bouncing around so much. It takes time....it will be OK!
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Bridget
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| Posted: Oct 18 2008 at 10:51am | IP Logged
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Essy wrote:
| My cycles were always 28 days long (even though I have unidentified infertility)...then my cycle started getting shorter. It's been an average of 25 days for quite a while now...with a 19 day month thrown in there ...But I guess I'm just wondering what I should be doing, if anything. |
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It sounds like you are low on progesterone. Your OB/GYN can prescribe the correct dosage and explain how to take it properly so that your cycles space out evenly again.
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Essy
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| Posted: Oct 18 2008 at 12:10pm | IP Logged
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Thank you ladies. I think I'll call my doctor and see how she can help. I bet my emotions helped in messing things up too...I lost my dad on September 6th and then my last period was on the 10th. I was having really severe PMS with severe depressive episodes last week. At least the emotional part seems to have smoothed out some.
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LisaR
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| Posted: Oct 18 2008 at 12:44pm | IP Logged
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Essy, everyone has wonderful suggestions. I just wanted to let you know I am sorry for the loss of your dad, and I will be keeping you in prayer.
The PMS and depressive episodes will decrease if indeed you are low progesterone and can take a bio identical form during certain times in your cycle.
Peace of Christ,
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Essy
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| Posted: Oct 18 2008 at 1:01pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Lisa...and thanks everyone for the support...I think it's really on its way now...just saw a little bit of pink. 
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