Just a quick question. I answered Amber's question this morning about her mom and passed on the info about after 12 months without a period then you're considered officially in "menopause."

The question then popped into my brain...at what point are you "post menopausal?"

My 86 year old MIL still took Premarin, LOL. She told me everytime she went off it she'd have hot flashes.

HI

I understood post menopause to be after the twelve months - cos menopause is the time of change and post is after the time of change ie after 12 months period free

M

Thanks Mele,

So peri-menopause is during the irregular cycles.

The full year where you have no period is technically menopause.

And then after that you're post-menopausal.

That makes sense.

I saw my GP a few days ago, and mentioned to him that I had finally gone a year without a period and he handed me a Rx for a Dexa Scan. He checks when you're post menopausal, so that makes sense too as to the timing of the test.

My 82 year-old mother, who has never used HRT, has been having hot flashes! She described the sensation and asked ME if that could be a hot flash. I told her yes, also told her it wasn't unheard of for women to have flashes well after menopause. She is NOT thrilled.

Bless your Mom's heart Cesca. Get her a battery operated mini fan--purse size. They are sold all over the place.
My Mom, who lives in a retirement community of seniors, is surrounded by women who still have hot flashes. Some are 70, some are 90 years old. Some have never had a hot flash.
If, when I am in my 80's, all I have to contend with is a hot flash, I will consider myself blessed.
Hugs to you and your Mom, Cesca.
(((( ))))
Angel

I am so confused. I thought I was for sure post because I hadn't had a period in over a year and a half. Just last week I started and had a full blown period along with severe cramping. I go today for an ultrasound. Scared about what they will find.

1hotmama...I didn't have a period for a bit over 5 years. (Took HRT)
All the sudden, I have mother nature show up on the doorstep.
Also, had the ultrasound test, result's came back fine.
He said my lining was real thin, and wanted to know if symptoms were present. Unfortunately, yes.
Doctor said...it happens. Doesn't mean anything is wrong.
I was scared and worried too...for nothing.
It's hard to start that count down again. Especially, when you just want it to be over.

Try not to worry, and let us know.

Yep

Oh Angel, you're so right - if all we have to complain about when we're in our 80s are a few hot flashes, we will indeed be blessed! Thanks for the hugs - I'll pass 'em on to my mother (and to my male friend who is enduring flashes thanks to hormone treatment for prostate cancer.)

Cesca

The way I understand it is that menopause only lasts for a moment. The moment occurs when you have gone 12 months without a period. Before the 12 months is up, you're in perimenopause. Then, for a moment, you're in menopause. And then it becomes post-menopause. Sometimes I think the post-menopause phrase is redundant. You're either in menopause or you're not. Adding "post" to it just confuses everything.