Dear Sisters of certain Age & Experience: How many months do you need to skip for being sure that you've?

I haven't noticed any discomfort or life changing events that came along with menopause. There is an occasional hot flash or night sweat, but I was told that happens. The period went away for good 5 years ago but I'm just happy not to have to buy all those feminine products with the inflated prices. Everything that is a necessity is overly expensive.

Weight is easy to pack on because my metabolism has slowed. It's a dirty trick, because when I shop, I'm still attracted to the cute clothes and the shoes I used to wear. Unfortunately, I look in the mirror and there is someone I don't recognize-especially the body. Where did that big "caboose" come from. The weight came on 2 pounds a year, which doesn't seem like much until 5-10 years later. Ten to twenty pounds is a LOT.

There must be ladies who take it all in stride, I'm not there yet, at 60. Ask me in 10 years if I'm still around.

I started into menopause when I was 49,and if symptoms are any indication of how far along I am,I'm still going through the delightful thing. The biggest thing in the beginning was the hot flashes. They only come now and again-like an unwanted surprise. Mood swings scared off most of the people I knew but now my moods have leveled off to 2 settings. I am either moderately happy or really angry. All of this may have nothing to do with the change of life. I don't know and it doesn't seem to make any difference. My advice would be to maintain a healthy weight and get some moderate exercise. Don't focus on the word menopause. It's part of life and you will get through it. I'll be 75 in January and expect to be completely done by then.

I managed to have that experience at a very young age. Sometime in my late thirties the story began.

I thought six months would be enough, but after a few rounds of "six months without"....I finally made a full year and haven't looked back. No problems either, a few night sweats every now and again.

But in my mid forties, I feel great and would never know menopause had ever hit.

I eat what I want, drink what I want, have an active life, and I seriously can't say I feel any different than I did in my younger years.

Everybody's different though.

Everyone goes through the 'change' differently. With me, I started having lighter and

shorter periods. Then I skipped a couple, and restarted again. When I knew for sure,

my periods lasted three days and were light. Then I stopped altogether. I had no problems

in stopping. I used to have heavy menses and it was a major relief to have cramps

stop and the heavy flow and weakness.

But since you've restarted after stopping five years, that doesn't sound normal for

anyone. And you should see your doctor. My late grandmother, had this happen to

her, like you are experiencing, and after a few tests, they found she had cancer of

the uterus. And it was too far along for them to do anything. But this has a happy

ending. I held a prayer circle for her, since the doctors just sent her home to die,

and I couldn't accept that. Friends of mine, prayed for her at the same time, and

I swear that prayer power cleared her of the cancer. For when she went back to

see her doctor, and they ran a test to determine how much longer she would have,

they couldn't find any signs of the cancer. That is the one miracle I have been a

part of in my life. And my grandma went on to live until she was 90 and never had

any bleeding again. She even outlived my grandpa, who died of cancer also. So

please see your doctor, just in case there is something lurking. Five years is a very

long time. My duration was only a year, and I think that is more the norm.

Wow, reading some of these stories makes me realize how lucky I was. I was in my mid 40's and my periods just stopped. I had about a year of uncomfortable nights due to hot flashes. I don't think I had any major mood swings, but as I was single at the time, you'd have to ask the people I was working with, lol. Then I was back to normal. I've never needed any HRT, thank goodness, and nowadays I may need to use a little help (KY-jelly or something similar) for relations, but that's it. The only way you'll know is through experience and I would suggest you go ask your gynecologist for any concerns you have. For me, I have never been happier than when I was through with that whole messy business of periods and birth control!

Number one expect the unexpected. Anything goes. If you don't want a change of life baby take precautions. Perimenopause takes quite awhile. As you can see no two women are alike. It is much like starting out. It has no rules. You may think you are done. Surprise, surprise. You may just stop or come and go. It may be light , heavy longer or shorter. They say at least a year, well it can happen if your body happen even after a year. Happened to me. It did stop. Be prepared for changes in the rest of your body. Get a good book to read up on it. Of course see your doctor also.I did not have a lot of trouble. I don't have hot flashes. Moody, just a touch. We all want to know if what we feel is normal, but we are all different. Don't think you will be like everone else and worry yourself sick thinking your different. Like I said there are no rules. If you have a lot of discomfort your doctor can address those problems.

(((((P'quaint)))))

Welcome to the insanity!! LOL

Oh dear - it's not exactly fun, I'll be honest. But it can be - liberating. Each woman is different, but there are many general things in common.

First - you start skipping. Here and there. And from what I understand, that goes on for a while. It is not over until you complete a full twelve months period-free. (With me its harder to tell...I had a partial hysterectomy years ago - cancer - with me, we just have to wait for the "crazy" to be over! LOL)

Take my advice - sleep while you can! The sleeplessness is what kills me. Go to bed at ten and thrash around till three....and then get up at six to go to work.

The other worst symptom - for me - is the darn night sweats and hot flashes. I just want to jump into a tub of ice! LOL

That - and my libido has skyrocketed. Last I saw it, it was around Jupiter and flying fast! LOL

I do get some mood swings....but they aren't too horrible. Mostly weepy. (LOL)

Otherwise, I feel pretty normal. They just started me on estrogen, and we're hoping it helps with the sleep problem. Like I said - the nights are my worst enemy.

Oh - I have something for you (LOL): :D

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2464561770...

Good luck with it all!! :)

Well after 5 years of not having my period and thinking that I had fully crossed over to the carefree stage of menopause, I started getting my period again for the past 3 months. Needless to say, I am NOT happy about this at all.

I had an "instant" menopause at 35 , due to having cancer of the ovary . I've taken HRT ever since and never had any problems with it.. I know, some people preach that you shouldn't take it for long periods, but my doc is happy to me to take it, and I've got a perfect bill of health at 63. I have yearly mammograms to be sure that all is well in that department. Enjoy your carefree years !

Unfortunately, I missed a lot of the symptoms because I had to have a hysterectomy at an early age due to danger of cancer. However, I did have some of the secondary symptoms, like dry skin, reduction of (and now total elimination of) body hair, sagging body parts in spite of exercise, increased UTI's, sleeplessness at night, and some depression and anxiety. I took hormone replacement therapy after the hysterectomy because it was at such an early age, and didn't have the symptoms until my dr. decided the risk of a stroke was too great if it was continued. He took me off of the hormones cold turkey, and lo and behold, within weeks I grew old overnight.