I was reading the post from One Scared Mama and I was wondering at what age some of you hit perimenopause, menopause, and how old were you when you started your periods? Is there a correlation? I was a very late bloomer, (almost 16 when I started my period) and at almost 45 my periods are still regular...almost like clockwork. I did have my tubes tied a few years back and an ablation, but that was for heavy periods...still always regular. I ask because, unlike me, my daughter just had her first period and she isn't quite 12. (Far more normal than myself, I know) Not that anything changes anything, and there's no way to prepare for what will come, it was just on my mind and Dana M.'s question made me decide to ask...
I was 12 when I had my first period.
I was in my 30s when the peri started. I'm 51 and in full blown menopause. I haven't had a period in over a year. yay me!!!
The hot flashes and not sleeping at times SUCK!
I got my period at 14. I think I am in perimenopause. I had a super long period last month, and lots of spotting. First signs?!?!?!
I'm 43.
Hello
I think I was around 11 or 12 when I began my period.. In terms of perimenopause, I think I officially began when I was in my early 40s (I am now 51).. That said, I still have a monthly cycle... however, it has shorted from 32 days to around 27... and it's much heavier because in my case, I have fibroids.
I think if you are concerned about PM and what it holds in store for you.. my best suggestion would be to read up on it as much as you can... and start tracking your monthly cycle.. I do this, and because of it, it's helped me see a pattern each month.. seeing a pattern was important because initially before I truly understood my hormones, I thought I was destined to become more and more anxious, claustrophobic and experience a myriad of other symptoms.. I found that the more I understood my hormones, the better I could cope with the changes that ensued. Example.. when my estrogen drops (esp when I first began PM) I didn't know it at the time, but estrogen is what controls the cortisol levels (the stress hormone) in our bodies.. well as my estrogen would drop and as a result cortisol levels would increase, I would have a lot of physical anxiety and in turn, emotional.. I was really beginning to get worried.. well as I began to read up on hormones and specifically what each one did and in turned charted my monthly, that is when I began to see a pattern emerge with each hormonal shift. Now, I can't control the hormones BUT knowledge is power.. therefore, knowing what I can expect has helped me find new ways of coping.. example, I know I can't drink a lot of caffeine or alcohol... esp right before my period.. otherwise, I will become way too nervous.. I also know that a few night before my period as my estrogen begins to drop, my legs will feel more jittery and I won't sleep as well.. used to be I was sure that I had restless leg syndrome :) turns out, I don't.. however, IF it wasn't for my tracking my cycles, I am sure I would be in therapy and feeling very depressed that something was going wrong with my body..
I could go on and on about how learning about your hormones is beneficial.. but I won't :) instead, I will wish you the best and reiterate that knowledge is power.. learn all you can.. you ll be glad you did..
I'll be watching this thread. I started at 11 and have been pretty regular my whole life but was just a week late and wondered if this is the beginning of perimenopause? I just turned 40 so I thought it was a but early but my mom was definitely in full-blown menopause (and a total psycho LOL) by her late 40's so who knows? Great question!
Started at 14, very regular all my life (and fertile!!!) my periods are just now starting to get irregular, sometimes heavy, but I just had my hormone levels checked and I'm not premenopausal yet (not technically anyway!) I am 47.
I started my period at 15 and had a uterine ablation about 8 years ago (I'm 49!). Since I don't have a period but the hormones continue and I get them checked annually. No signs of changes for me. Pretty cool, especially with a much younger honey.
Wow, the answers to your question are really interesting! I had no idea that so many women started having peri-menopausal symptoms in their thirties. I don't remember when I had my first period; maybe 13 or so. The first indications I had of peri-menopause were at age 44 or 45, when I started having major issues with insomnia. My doc told me that her first sign of peri-menopause was exactly that, and when she measured my hormone levels, they indicated I was in the zone. Periods started getting unpredictable a couple years after that, and they have been that way to now (I'm 50), sometimes going for several months without one and sometimes showing up after 2 or 3 weeks. It's never dull, that's for sure. I have no idea how much longer I'll be in the zone--sounds like it could be quite a while, though.
I started at either 11 or 12 - can't remember exactly. Spent years on the Depo shot prior to & during my military service, have had 3 C-sections & nothing removed. I'm 38 & in menopause right now.
It's interesting to see if there is a correlation but I've never really thought about it.
I got my period the day after my 11th birthday.
Peri menopause started in my late 30's.
I achieved full menopause (no period for a whole year) at 52.
I think results will vary quite a bit based on genetics (when did your Mom/Grandmothers go through these things) and somewhat on environment.
(If your grandmother came here from an impoverished country then better nutrition for her descendants will make some differences).
Smoking makes a difference too (it brings menopause on sooner).
Honestly don't remember how old I was when I had my first period; I think I was around 13. I had one child when I was 33. I had a uterine ablation and a tubal so I am not 100% about when my periods are. I do know that I am in perimenapause. My mom started in her early/mid 40's. I think it is based more on genetics and if your body has sustained any severe injury. (Mine did and I think that is why I started so young (36-37).
I was nine, almost 10, when I began to menstruate. I was about 45 when I was pre menopausal...and thankfully, at about 50, I was done!
Two of my daughters began to menstruate at 9. The other daughter (who has medical issues in any case) was 16.
I am SOOO relieved to be FREE!!
Best!
i started at 14.5 yrs old, had my kids at 30 and 33, at 41 yrs old i had to have an ablation since my periods were getting wacky and after not being there for a few months were non stop for over a month and extremely heavy, so i have not had a period since 2010. i have not had any menopause symptoms and i am 46.... well, that's not true, one medication i was on for a while had me having hot flashes but when I stopped that medication then that stopped.
I had my first period somewhat late (14) and was post-menopausal by 38. My mom had her first period around the same age and started perimenopause at 42.
I was almost 16 years old when I started my period. I currently have primary ovarian failure- starting going through menopause 5 years ago, at 35. I'm now on hormone replacement therapy until around 50. My mom and grandmother started their periods around the same age as me, but I'm an anomaly on the early menopause thing. Doc thinks could have been my body's reaction to a nasty MRSA infection right after the birth of my daughter. Who knows.
Shoot...I was 10. And I've always had fairly regular, super heavy periods. I am 37 now and 12 weeks pregnant with my S. child (first at 29). No signs of any major changes yet.
I started at 12 and have had very regular periods all along. They have been very heavy for the last 10 years. I am 45.
i didn't start my period until i was 13, and i hit perimenopause in my early 40s. by 46 i had no more periods.
no clue about the norm, but for me there was no correlation.
khairete
S.
