missed periods

I am almost 45 yrs old and for the last few years my period has been getting less frequent. like i may have had maybe 4 periods in the whole year last year. but my last one now was 4 months ago yesterday. Is this a sign of menapause? a few yrs ago i went to doc and she said i was not premenapausal i was to young. (not a specialist) anyways i also am already overweight but i keep gaining weight regardless of trying to loos it, and my joints aches and i just genrally always feel bad. i think i need to have a period i would feel better. any advice or answers for me?

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

A. Menopause can start at any age.  Only about 1 to 4 percent of women go thorough menopause before age 40, but age 45 is a very normal time to have perimenopause.  Women who are overweight often have irregular periods, one every 3 to 4 months.  It is often associated with a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome.  Being overweight is also a common cause of joint pain, especially of the knees.  That is because the hips and knees of a heavy person are carrying a lot of extra weight and they wear out sooner.

Ask your doctor to check a fasting (no food or drink after midnight) blood test for insulin and glucose. Some women have insulin resistance which means it is harder for their body to store sugar due to extra fat cells and their body has to make higher insulin levels to prevent diabetes from happening.  That condition is treated with diabetes medications taken by mouth and may improve menstrual cycles.

Also get a blood test for FSH, a hormone that goes up if you are in perimenopause.  Losing weight can also improve periods. Sometimes even losing 10 to 15 pounds can make a great difference.  Talk to a nutritionist about healthy food choices and substitutions and try to exercise daily, even if it is just walking 15 to 30 minutes.  Going to a mall can be a convenient place to walk.  

If your doctor isn

[babybb24]

oh a follow up to passed question,
I also have tubes tied when i was like 25 yrs old. and  i do not think it to be anything to do with pregnancy because it has been happening for a few years now. anyways i do have trouble sleeping at night and have had in past night sweats but not really much lately. but very irratable.  Help!!