Hi Mary11. The "useful link" will give you the signs of menopause. Beware - they do vary a lot. I didn't have any signs until many months after my period stopped. There was no irregularity. It just stopped altogether. The test for menopause/ pre- or perimenopause is your level of FSH (folicle stimulating hormones). My sprite elderly aunt, a former nurse married to a doctor and who does extensive research can't say enough good things about using natural progesterone cream for the symptoms. You can get it at health food stores (she recommends the progesterone extracted from yams). A dab is rubbed into the skin daily, in a place you would normally blush (thin skin) such as your inner forearm. A break for a few days a month from using it is recommended. Do stay away from non bioidentical HRT which contains horse urine and such. Very controversial and there are alternatives. Best, suesan Here is a link that might be useful: What are the symptoms of menopause?

Doctors, whether promoting alternative treatments or prescribed medications, are subject to propaganda and are well paid by the corporate companies. I would guess less so by the alternative manufacturers since they don't have the millions of dollars to spend. But as the consumer we have to go with our educated guesses. I have resisted hrt after a hysterectomy (uterus, ovaries, cervix) although my oncologist offers it every time I see him. Even though my cancer was estrogen receptive and my mother had breast cancer. And my symptoms are very mild infrequent hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. Since he is one of the best gyn oncologists in NYC I trust him for the oncology side but use my endocrinologist for hrt consultations - tomorrow we review a recent bone scan. And by the way - Replens seems to work well for the vaginal dryness and is cheapest at Walmart.

Hi gusser, First of all, I know what you're going through, and I feel your pain. I'm a woman, 53, my BF is 43, and we've been together for over two years. I have been going through the same problems as your Fiance', but my first concern is WHY would a Dr. prescribe HRT when she's still having periods, that is totally wrong, they usually don't give you HRT, until you're done w/ having periods. I was having periods every two weeks and bleeding heavily, this went on for a year, and finally after seeing numerous Dr. I found an OB/GYN that preformed an Endometrial Ablation, and my perods have gone back to normal, and I have one, then skip a month, etc. She really needs to have a thorough exam,ultrasound and get to the bottom of these problems.Usually the heavy bleeding is caused by Fibroids, and having the procedure will, get rid of them, but, they do grow back, unless they are removed surgically. I know this is very frustrating for both of you. Now, about the not seeming interested, that I believe is due to a Hormonal Imbalance, she needs to have her hormones checked, that can be done with bloodwork. Women's Sex drive comes from Testastrone(spelling?)and she could be low in that hormone and/or producing too much estrogen. Urge your Fiance to go and seek a Good OB/GYN and have her write down all the problems she's having, they'll get to the bottom of this, there's no reason for her to suffer like this. Good Luck!

Hello everyone, I too have been experiencing all of the above and have spent countless hours and days worrying and scouring the internet for answers. I was overjoyed to stumble upon you all here and learn that I am not alone or losing my mind. A little info about me.... I am a 45 year old woman who started peri & menopause early!! I started at age 38/39 and had no clue what on earth was going on with me. The usual menopausal symptoms were downright awful but like the rest of you, I suffered through the whole time thinking “ok new symptom, dying again of some mysterious illness or I seriously need my head checked.” Fast forward.... I had my last menstrual cycle right after my 44th birthday (so over a year now) and I have to say the menopausal symptoms have lessened overall thankfully. Then SUDDENLY, about 2 months ago, just when I thought the worst was behind me, my body introduces to me, a new scary “oh no I’m dying again” symptom. THE ARMPIT ACHE!! I had just finished my routine physical, pap, mammogram, breast ultrasound, had bloodwork and urine tests done as well.... all came back normal. I was so relieved!!! However, my armpit ache started right after that, within a few days, which threw me for a loop. I thought ok maybe I strained a muscle working out?? Maybe I’m feeling after effects from the Mammogram “trauma”??? No clue and of course, panic starts to set in!! Over the course of 2 weeks, the ache in my armpit (right side for me) became an ache in the right shoulder, ache in my right breast and some days the ache even extended all the way down my right arm. It really is terrifying and consuming when you don’t know what’s going on or why and the Doctors can’t find anything either. So I started experimenting with different things to hopefully find a remedy or at least some peace of mind. Fast forward again..... long story short.... I accidentally stumbled upon a video on YouTube regarding Magnesium deficiency and it’s symptoms and I thought hmmmm, could it be my issue?? So I started taking Magnesium supplements and within 24 hours, my armpit ache started to disappear!! I have been taking the Magnesium faithfully every day for a few weeks now and I can say the ache is 95% gone and most days I don’t even remember having it at all. I don’t know if it’s merely a coincidence or if the magnesium really helped but I felt compelled to share my findings with you all in the hopes that it may help you as well. Side note, I had just started taking other supplements approx 2 weeks before the aching started so I thought perhaps they too may have been the culprit so I stopped taking them completely. (Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin C). 1 week later, I started Magnesium which I had never taken before!! Just to clarify. Together, we will get through this. Anita