Please try to relax. There can be many reasons for your symptoms and it would be very unwise for any of us to speculate.
I never had issues going through menopause, but my sister did.
Your GYN will figure out what is going on and you will be helped accordingly.
Things can be very scary when you don't know what is
wrong.
Try calling your doctor and asking if you could check in daily to see if you can get in on a cancellation so you can be seen sooner.
Good luck and keep us posted.
(((hugs)))

It is good that you have an appointment with your gyn as only he/she will know for sure. Could be peri-menopause, so you will likely have your hormones tested.

Your description sounds very similar to the start of my peri when I was around that age. I too was always like clock work and suddenly I was missing periods, heavy bleeding, etc. I did have fibroids which was the reason for the heavy bleeding. I had a hysterectomy which took care of that, however the other symptoms continued for several years.

Have you posted on the menopause forum? It does not get alot traffic, but might be helpful.

Let us know what the doctor says.

Salgal, I had all of that right around 46 also~~peripause the dr said. I can say the peripause was the worst part for me with the constant 21 day periods~~I went on the hormones for a couple of years, everything was fine, I took myself off them about age 52 and really never had any other problems~~

Sounds like typical mennopause to me. Let us know what your doctor says.

sal gal everyone is completely different although the heavy periods is so often fibroids (and they have several methods of treating that) take your time line to the gyn with you...ask for options...

personally? not fond of hormone replacement...

let us know what the dr says and suggests...

let dh know you still love him but right now your body doesn't...

Just went through similar (not exact) stuff. Symptoms very similar... I have low hemoglobin. Iron pills are not fun, I increased my red meat intake and green veggies, got retested and much better. Good Luck!

Yes, it sounds like normal pre-menopause. It sounds as if your hormones might be a big messed up, but your GYN will ferret out the issue.

dawnsmith look for the time released iron...not so hard on your system...

"Sounds like typical mennopause to me." (sic) The thing with menopause and perimenopause is that there is nothing typical about them. Everyone is so very different.

All of your symptoms are under the definition of perimenopause but you got them all and all at the same time! It's a good thing you're getting them checked out. If that's what it is I hope things settle down for you. The best thing you can do for yourself is to take care of yourself regardless of the outcome.

Thanks everyone, I am feeling a little better after hearing some very similar experiences.

I guess I was just thinking that 46 is too young...maybe it's not after all. ( and terrified I might be pregnant, even if I logically know it is 99.99% unlikely!)

My sister was in that .01%. She thought she was going through menopause at 45 - nope. She was pregnant. Her older two, at the time, were 13 and 15.

Hi blfenton,

Here she was ...

... feeling reassured ...

... and you had to come along and rain on her parade (and a downpour, at that, yet!)!

o j ... not much for information, too much or otherwise

It's not raining on a parade to provide accurate information.

Salgal,

I was 36 when my first hot flash happened - in 56 degree weather, suddenly I was sweating enough to soak through a blouse on the way to a dinner engagement. It didn't happen again for 2 years, but then!!

Of course, do make sure you are not pregnant, but you are actually in the prime age range for peri-menopause. It can last a few years or many

Periods can be sudden, and heavy enough to overwhelm your chosen protection. I learned very quickly to never ever leave the house without several types. Your periods might quickly become erratic, or they might not and then just diminish over years.

If you have been prone to menstrual mood swings, prepare mentally for them to be amplified. Even if you haven't had mood issues before, perimenopause might cause them.

Do talk to your doctor, and don't let anyone try to minimize any issues you may be having. They are real.

Salgal, your symptoms sound just like mine at your age and I went directly into full menopause without the so called 'peri ' interval. I had never had children, either.

Hopefully, your physician will take the appropriate tests, including hormone levels.