I'm afraid to ask... early menopause?

[seoj]

I guess I kinda worried about it a bit when we discovered I had fertility issues (at 37)- knowing my Mom went into early menopause at 45...

But lately- I'm really wondering if maybe I'm there already? I'm 41 now. And I'm seriously sitting at my desk (in my work office- thankfully I have my own cube!)- with NO shoes/socks on and my sweater off... so I'm in a tank and jeans! My palms are even sweating!!! I've kinda always run warm... but geesh!

Also- I recently noticed there is a patch on my head that seems more bald than it should be (initially chalked it up to losing hair after LO was born, but that's been 3yrs now!).

I do tend to be a bit more on edge "that time of the month"... but obviously that can happen any time! Combine all that with memory loss and hot feet at night (while in bed)--- I mean, of course it could all be non-related and due to mommy brain or what have you. But my thyroid is fine- it's been recently checked (like 2mos ago). There are other signs too- I just keep thinking it's all a coincidence... or telling myself it is.

The more I read up on it... the more I'm like "oh sh$^^%$"!!!!

I do need to get in to see my OB soon enough, so I think I'll run this all by her and see if she thinks I should be tested?

GAWD... Talk about feeling OLD...

 

[aimee-lou]

Unfortunately it's totally possible. My family have a history of starting menopause in mid-30s so I'm on watch now as I'm the first person in 3 generations to have more than 2 kids and apparently childbearing can make it happen sooner!

I also have a friend who recently got told she's in pre-menopause....she's 29!

However, I'm in a strange way looking forward to it. One less thing to worry about and because my family history is also linked to cervical cancer, there's a chance I'll need a precautionary full hysterectomy which would mean HRT I know, but no more periods, no more BCP and no more worries about fertility/pregnancy.

Get yourself checked out. It can be a 10 year process so it's best to get the measure of it early so you can get sorted out.

 

[kosh]

no advice but big
can't bring myself to think about it
I'm 43 and still hope I maybe perhaps might be able to have a second child...

 

[seoj]

Unfortunately it's totally possible. My family have a history of starting menopause in mid-30s so I'm on watch now as I'm the first person in 3 generations to have more than 2 kids and apparently childbearing can make it happen sooner!

I also have a friend who recently got told she's in pre-menopause....she's 29!

However, I'm in a strange way looking forward to it. One less thing to worry about and because my family history is also linked to cervical cancer, there's a chance I'll need a precautionary full hysterectomy which would mean HRT I know, but no more periods, no more BCP and no more worries about fertility/pregnancy.

Get yourself checked out. It can be a 10 year process so it's best to get the measure of it early so you can get sorted out.

Thanks hun- wow, that is so early for some of the women you know! I do know it's a long process though, so even if this is the "beginning"- if I know that, I can work on making it easier for myself! Least that is the hope! LOL. I just had the IUD placed 6mos back- so tbh, I wouldn't be surprised if that's the last form of BC I'd need (being it lasts 5yrs).

So yes- I'll chat with my OB and have the blood work done. Last time I had my FSH levels checked was well before pregnancy (and they were on the high end- but that's years back- so who knows now?).

Thanks again for the info and support

 

[seoj]

no advice but big
can't bring myself to think about it
I'm 43 and still hope I maybe perhaps might be able to have a second child...

There are plenty of women in their 40's and fertile hun! And if you didn't have any issues conceiving your first, then I wouldn't worry. I had issue conceiving our LO- low egg reserve, high FSH etc (plus hubby had to have 2 reversals- yup, 2!)... but I found a lot of that out in my mid 30's. We were lucky to get our LO when we did (with the help of fertility clinic). Thankfully there are loads of options these days for people in my situation

Thanks for the hugs. I know, either way, it's fine-- just kinda crazy to think I'm at "this stage" in life... it all happens too quickly! As we all well know!