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Post by panda on Aug 30, 2017 23:29:37 GMT
I turned 47 a few months ago. Two years ago I had hormone testing added to the annual blood tests I like to get. The FSH level was 39. Menopausal was indicated as being between 16-110. But I was still getting my period (irregularly).
My last period was 7 months ago. I just had my annual blood tests and, like in 2015, decided to get the hormones tested as well. FSH was 43 this time. Still on the low end, but still in the menopausal range. But I haven't had my period in quite some time.
I'm just wondering if anyone else has had these tests done and if they were truly done with their period when their numbers were in that range. And also whether it means you can't get pregnant anymore (I don't want to) and if menopausal symptoms would have popped up by now. Because other than the lack of periods, I have none. Although that may be because for a year now I've been on bioidentical progesterone for the irregular periods, irritability and weight gain I had been experiencing.
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Post by mom on Aug 30, 2017 23:34:10 GMT
melissa is my go-to pea for all things women health. Maybe she will be able to chime in.
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Post by librarylady on Aug 31, 2017 1:35:53 GMT
I have no idea what my numbers were, but when I was age 40 my periods stopped...just stopped.
6 months later was my annual check up. I told gyn what was going on and she did the FSH test. "We will see if you are beginning menopause since you are only age 40."
A few days later she called to tell me that I was not beginning menopause, I was deeply in it/over it.
Anyway I never had another period and that was that.
I never had hot flashes. I did not have mood swings until I began taking hormone replacement therapy. It took about 18 months to find a combination that worked for me. I gained weight and had terrible mood swings.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912 
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Post by melissa on Aug 31, 2017 1:49:45 GMT
The numbers are not all that helpful because they are static. Your FSH level rises with ovulation, so it can be artificially higher if you happen to be ovulating when it is done. The values can really only be of value if they are done very early in the cycle, as in on day 3 or 4 of your period. AMH is another test that can be done that doesn't fluctuate quite as much. The purpose is for fertility, but a bit more information can be implied. Essentially, testing just because you want to see if you are in menopause is a waste of time and money because the information is so imprecise. At least, that's my opinion.  Though I admit I would be curious too. Basically, wait it out. Once your periods have stopped for a full calendar year, you are in menopause (provided there's no other reason for the periods to have stopped such as chemo). 7 months? You are probably due for a "last hurrah" in the next month or two. There always seems to be just one more once you think you are done! And then the time clock to saying you are in menopause starts all over again. If you are asking this because you want to stop the bio-identical progesterone, then it's time to stop it. |
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Post by cookiemum on Aug 31, 2017 2:24:56 GMT
How about if you've had a hysterectomy so you don't have a period. My GP did the test and told me it was basically inconclusive and didn't tell us anything. I've had no other symptoms.
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Post by panda on Aug 31, 2017 2:40:18 GMT
The numbers are not all that helpful because they are static. Your FSH level rises with ovulation, so it can be artificially higher if you happen to be ovulating when it is done. The values can really only be of value if they are done very early in the cycle, as in on day 3 or 4 of your period. AMH is another test that can be done that doesn't fluctuate quite as much. The purpose is for fertility, but a bit more information can be implied. Essentially, testing just because you want to see if you are in menopause is a waste of time and money because the information is so imprecise. At least, that's my opinion. Though I admit I would be curious too. Basically, wait it out. Once your periods have stopped for a full calendar year, you are in menopause (provided there's no other reason for the periods to have stopped such as chemo). 7 months? You are probably due for a "last hurrah" in the next month or two. There always seems to be just one more once you think you are done! And then the time clock to saying you are in menopause starts all over again. If you are asking this because you want to stop the bio-identical progesterone, then it's time to stop it. Thanks, that is helpful! My naturopath who prescribes the progesterone also said I should stop taking it now and see how I feel. I really really hope I don't have a "last hurrah" lol. I am loving this no more period. I will probably get the hormones tested for again at next year's blood testing. I might as well, I don't have to pay for it since it's covered under the provincial health care and I like to keep an eye on other things like iron, etc. What about pregnancy? After one year I don't have to worry about it? |
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Aug 31, 2017 15:41:40 GMT
If it is truly menopause (and not due to any other condition), you don't have to worry about pregnancy at the one year mark. Probably don't need to worry before then, but definitely once you have gone a year.
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Post by panda on Aug 31, 2017 22:40:03 GMT
If it is truly menopause (and not due to any other condition), you don't have to worry about pregnancy at the one year mark. Probably don't need to worry before then, but definitely once you have gone a year. Wonderful, thanks again! |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,467
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Sept 1, 2017 0:12:41 GMT
The numbers are not all that helpful because they are static. Your FSH level rises with ovulation, so it can be artificially higher if you happen to be ovulating when it is done. The values can really only be of value if they are done very early in the cycle, as in on day 3 or 4 of your period. AMH is another test that can be done that doesn't fluctuate quite as much. The purpose is for fertility, but a bit more information can be implied. Essentially, testing just because you want to see if you are in menopause is a waste of time and money because the information is so imprecise. At least, that's my opinion. Though I admit I would be curious too. Basically, wait it out. Once your periods have stopped for a full calendar year, you are in menopause (provided there's no other reason for the periods to have stopped such as chemo). 7 months? You are probably due for a "last hurrah" in the next month or two. There always seems to be just one more once you think you are done! And then the time clock to saying you are in menopause starts all over again. If you are asking this because you want to stop the bio-identical progesterone, then it's time to stop it. Thanks, that is helpful! My naturopath who prescribes the progesterone also said I should stop taking it now and see how I feel. I really really hope I don't have a "last hurrah" lol. I am loving this no more period. I will probably get the hormones tested for again at next year's blood testing. I might as well, I don't have to pay for it since it's covered under the provincial health care and I like to keep an eye on other things like iron, etc. What about pregnancy? After one year I don't have to worry about it? A teacher at school knows a woman who got pregnant and carried to term a little girl at 63. She was well past having monthly periods and had gone thru menopause. It can still happen but not often. |
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Post by elaine on Sept 1, 2017 0:48:25 GMT
Thanks, that is helpful! My naturopath who prescribes the progesterone also said I should stop taking it now and see how I feel. I really really hope I don't have a "last hurrah" lol. I am loving this no more period. I will probably get the hormones tested for again at next year's blood testing. I might as well, I don't have to pay for it since it's covered under the provincial health care and I like to keep an eye on other things like iron, etc. What about pregnancy? After one year I don't have to worry about it? A teacher at school knows a woman who got pregnant and carried to term a little girl at 63. She was well past having monthly periods and had gone thru menopause. It can still happen but not often. I think the chances of winning the $600+Million Powerball with 1 ticket purchased have to be the same as a woman conceiving naturally and accidentally at 63 and carrying to term. Now, if we are talking about a butt load (literally) of hormone injections, that is another thing. |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
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Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Sept 1, 2017 2:54:04 GMT
A teacher at school knows a woman who got pregnant and carried to term a little girl at 63. She was well past having monthly periods and had gone thru menopause. It can still happen but not often. I think the chances of winning the $600+Million Powerball with 1 ticket purchased have to be the same as a woman conceiving naturally and accidentally at 63 and carrying to term. Now, if we are talking about a butt load (literally) of hormone injections, that is another thing. Supposedly totally naturally. She was dating a guy and it happened. Now.... I do not know the person myself so I can't speak to the veracity of this information but my coworker is on the up and up and doesn't make stuff up. |
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by melissa on Sept 1, 2017 17:02:00 GMT
I call BS on that one. There are absolutely no recorded cases of women naturally conceiving at age 63. Not one that I could find. If it happened, it would have been newsworthy no matter when it happened. The oldest woman to conceive with someone else's eggs is about that age and she died shortly after that.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Sept 1, 2017 17:02:54 GMT
I think the chances of winning the $600+Million Powerball with 1 ticket purchased have to be the same as a woman conceiving naturally and accidentally at 63 and carrying to term. Now, if we are talking about a butt load (literally) of hormone injections, that is another thing. Supposedly totally naturally. She was dating a guy and it happened. Now.... I do not know the person myself so I can't speak to the veracity of this information but my coworker is on the up and up and doesn't make stuff up. Lol. The odds of winning the Powerball at any amount would be higher! |
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Post by holly on Sept 1, 2017 18:04:49 GMT
My PCP just ran labs on me and wanted to check my levels. I had already had the conversation with my gyno last year and she explained how un-useful the test can be, especially because I am currently on BC pills! But I humoresque him since unneeded other labs anyway. I saw my gyno a couple hrs later and told her and she just chuckled.
Last year I went in because I had been period free for about 10 months and had been off the pill for about 8 mos. I thought I was menopausal. Month 11 I got my period! I was sooo mad. It took about 3 months to get back on track after that. I'll keep taking my pills for a few more years. I take them so I only have a period 4 times a year (usually very light) and have done that for years. My previous PCP told me I was going to get cancer if I kept doing it and wouldn't renew my prescription to read that way😠. He was going to refer me to a specialist to make sure I didn't have cancer! I declined and told him I would just talk to my gyno. Men!
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Sept 1, 2017 21:30:07 GMT
Your PCP is not a gyn and clearly does not understand what can happen to women on OCPs as they age. And even when they are not aging. It's not as if you are building up a lining while you are on OCPs. People who are not having regular periods for other reasons (such as PCOS) are at risk for uterine cancer. The PCP could have ordered an ultrasound to look at the lining if they were that concerned. Truly, a PCP that does not understand the basics should not actually be prescribing the medication in the first place. (just an annoyed gyn here.. never mind me)
Glad you said you would just talk to you gyn!
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Post by gramasue on Sept 1, 2017 22:38:52 GMT
For those of you who have been tested and told they were either mid or post-menopausal and they had no symptoms - I hate you! [JK] I began my menopausal journey at age 48. Periods stopped and then, as melissa said, one more appeared! Then I was done. I sure don't miss that, but the hot flashes and mood swings and anxiety attacks - I wish they would stop. I had a pulmonary embolism due to birth control pills when I was 28. I was told at that time that I would never be able to take HRT. I'm fine with that; I hate taking pills anyway. I try to manage it with natural products but mostly I just tough it out. After 22 years, though, I'm really tired of it all. I guess I should be glad that I still have some hormones in there somewhere! |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
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Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Sept 2, 2017 1:44:20 GMT
Supposedly totally naturally. She was dating a guy and it happened. Now.... I do not know the person myself so I can't speak to the veracity of this information but my coworker is on the up and up and doesn't make stuff up. Lol. The odds of winning the Powerball at any amount would be higher! I know! I was so not believing her but she swears it's true. Thankfully it's NOT me with the newborn in my 60's! Heck, I have an 18 month old at 43 and I'm feeling insane! LOL |
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Post by hennybutton on Sept 2, 2017 1:59:58 GMT
Lol. The odds of winning the Powerball at any amount would be higher! I know! I was so not believing her but she swears it's true. Thankfully it's NOT me with the newborn in my 60's! Heck, I have an 18 month old at 43 and I'm feeling insane! LOL I could have sworn that the oldest woman to give birth, according to the Guinness Book of World Records back in the late 60s or early seventies, was 63 years old. She had a little girl. This was in the days before most infertility treatments. When I saw your friend's story, that's what I thought of immediately. My grandmother's sister had a surprise baby back in 1962 or so. She was in her mid-forties and already had grandchildren. She thought she was in menopause. Obviously, she was wrong. |
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Though I admit I would be curious too. 
