Menopause or Problem?

[wesa]

I am 46 and had regular periods until Jan. 2007. The past few years I noticed that they cycle though. One is very heavy and lasts about seven days. The next one is much lighter and lasts four days. The next is so light I almost don't need protection and lasts about 24 hrs. But they were all regular so I figured it was my body slowing down into menopause.

Then in Jan. to July (07) I stopped completely. I was regular until Jan. 08 when I stopped for two months again. I had one in April and stopped until last week.

Each time, about a month prior to starting again I get extremely tired. I have back aches and my legs hurt. The pain gets progressively worse until I walk the floor all night. I have increasing lightheadedness, vertigo and feel as if I'm going to pass out. My hand shakes and I thought perhaps it was low blood sugar so I tried taking a few sips of Pepsi, but that didn't help. I feel nauseated but never throw up. My vision gets blurry. My boss noticed that I seem confused, as if my mind refuses to put things together. One night I couldn't remember how to get home.

The next day I was having a lot of trouble seeing. I felt as if my body belonged to someone else. I got home and  started to get motion sickness. When I woke up the next morning, I had started. Immediately I felt better. My head was clear. The motion sickness, nausea, confusion and fatigue were gone. It happens every time I start after an absence. One thing was different though. That first morning I pass a fist sized pile of half gelled blood, about the consistency of Jello.

I started Friday and the same pile of blood was there again. Now I have a UTI. Could it be caused by the blood? Is this just menopause or could there be something else wrong? I just wanted to see what you had to say for my own piece of mind. I have never been through this before and I lost my mom when I was seven so she's not here to ask. What exactly is normal for menopause and when do I worry?

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

It is always difficult to make a diagnosis without seeing a person or without an exam and testing. However, you have a lot of symptoms that could be due to menopause and others that could be due to other conditions. For that reason, I would suggest you see your doctor for an exam and some blood work.

He/she might order tests for FSH to see if you are in menopause, check your thyroid status, get a blood count to see if you are anemic and test your blood sugar. Other testing might also be done. Tiredness, confusion and fatigue can just be tiredness, can be due to menopause or to a number of other things. So get a checkup so you can both find relief and not have to worry that something bad could be happening.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD

[ayg67]

It seems that your symptoms are consistent with menopause.  Go get a full blood check up of your hormone levels.  These results will certainly tell you if you are going through menopause.
Good luck!!!

[Jadore_]

I am a 48 yr old female and have always had regular periods...I have always started early 2-4 days or exactly on the same day as I should. I have never ever been late in my life since I started my period at 12 yrs old except for the times I was pregnant, and after each birth I went back to a normal routine. I all of a sudden have stopped totally,,My breast have become so tender and sore. I assumed I was possibly pregnant but test were negative. Is this menopause? I have had a regular period until this month june nothing at all. I saw the doctor and she said basically nothing is this normal to just stop not taper down or become irregular prior to going through menopause? Could there be a problem other then maybe menopause? I would swear all my symptoms are exactly as feeling pregnant but my blood and urine came back negative.

I would appreciate any feedback

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

Stopping all at once is most uncommon but it has occurred. It is more likely you will have more periods in the months to come. If you continue to feel poorly over the next month or two, go back and talk with your doctor again to be sure nothing is missed.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD

[Jadore_]

Thank you for answer was very helpful