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Hi,
I'm 41 years old and have been experiencing irregular bleeding for about 16 months. Had pelvic and abdominal ultrasounds, both normal. It began as heavier longer periods (sometimes with spotting up to 17 days!). Once in a while I get a normal month, in fact had 2 x 28 day cycles in June & July with only light spotting at ovulation. This month everything haywire again, with light spotting before & few days after ovulation, swelling and abdominal pain at ovulation (which I've been getting for years), very sore breasts, then period after 25 days. I also had some gastro upset this month which may or may not be related. I had the worst PMS this month that I can ever remember having with pelic & abdominal cramping, bloating and breast soreness from ovulation up to time of period....this got much better right after it started.
My gyno thinks I'm probably ok and doesn't think its necessary to conduct further tests at this point, but I'm to go see him if I have any concerns. Ideally I'd have a simple endometrial biopsy performed and I'm working on getting that done.
I've been insisting on hormone tests as I'm convinced I'm in perimenopause...my mother went through menopause early (though I'm not sure exactly when). The Docs all say I'm definitely no in peri based on the hormone tests...I think they may say something different and am hoping for your help!!
They may read differently to your tests because I live in Australia... all results are in normal reference range except for estrogen...
Reference range for midcycle is 370-1500, for luteal 370-770- pmol/L. Menopausal reference range = less than 100. My first test was taken just after ovulation, my second 2 days before my last period and the readings were 268 & 269 respectively. Both readings below the reference range, but now 3 docs tell me I don't have low estrogen and not in peri????????????
I'm confused...help please!
Naomi

hi naomi.... i do know that there are no tests to confirm that you are in peri... you can try salavia.... any ways... i am 32 and i pleaded for a fsh test both times i was not ovulating... once in march and april... i tried to have another in may but the dr. refused saying i was too young... i asked for estrogen etc tests and they said no again too young... so i have been researching all this on my own and i know i am in peri... too many symptoms not to be.... anxiety has been the worst for me .... i used to think that if i could have s dr. say to me.... you arein peri i could handle all of this alot better... but reading here and listening and asking questions i know thats where i am and this is where i need to be... hopefully someone else will post heer and help you more... i am a young one and i am just learning... but i have learned alot.... hugs to you... denise

denise520,i want to get my hormone levels checked by the doctor.when is the bet time to be checked?i have heard that days 2 or 3 of cycle are best time.

Thank you for your reply Denise.
I am so confused about what's going on with me. The new tummy problems are scaring me good. At the same time my period goes back to 27-28 day normal cycles, my tummy started getting bad. Thought I had some relief during the first 2 days of my period, but now I have a gurgly gassy tummy again...the tummy's been funny for over a month now and I"m holding out on invasive tests (I've had many serious drug reactions in the past). A year ago I had heavy bleeding during my periods, last 3 have been back to normal bleeding. I know that I've had at least 1 serious hot flash about 4 months ago, though at the time I thought it was a stress reaction!!...but shortly after I read about hot flashes on the web & knew that was what I had. Really hot face, neck & shoulders while talking on phone on work call...I remember feeling very frightened (not knowing why I had heated up like that) but telling myself not to worry cause it had happened before (though I can't specifically remember when before). It only lasted about 1 minute, but my face was pink that night! The gynos who say I'm definitely not peri haven't explained to me why that might happen if I'm not peri??
Unfortunately the saliva tests don't seem to be available here in Australia, but we do have perimenopause urine test kits, similar to pregnancy tests...maybe you can use these to test your FSH somewhat...they won't give you numbers, but I think it plays a big role in the test results.
Thanks again,
Naomi

Day 3-4 is the best to check for estradiol and FSH, since estradiol is the lowets, and hence the FSH should be highest at this point.

Iradan,

I had my estradiol levels done on day 4 of my cycle and it was 56 - do you knnow if this is considered to be low?

maura

Hi Naomih

About your tummy problems - I have had bad IBS since puberty, also irregular menstruation, which always aggravated my tummy. About five months ago, my tummy problems got a lot worse at the same time as my periods went haywire: I had two light periods only two weeks apart, followed by a six week gap, then the heaviest period I can remember, then a normal one, and I have just finished the longest one I have ever had - about ten days.

Like you, I have (always) experienced relief from the tummy problems for the first two days of my period (but the menstrual cramps are quite bad), then the IBS etc kicks in again. I am sure that there is a link between my gastric problems and my hormones: the longest time I have been free from tummy pain and discomfort completely was during breastfeeding, when I had no trouble whatsoever, and felt great.

Don't let this stop you from having tests, though, if your doctor advises it. As you can see, my tummy problems go back a long way, but have really intensified with what I think is perimenopause (I have had other symptoms such as palpitations, headaches, morning anxiety etc).

I have done two of those urine menopause tests at home, but they were negative. But I didn't realise until I read this thread that they had to be done on day 3/4 of cycle. However, even if it proves to be negative again, I still think that my symptoms are peri-related.

You're not alone in your confusion about what's going on in your body - some days, I don't know how I'm going to feel from one minute to the next. It is quite scary, but this website has so much info and support. It's where I go when the worry starts!

Rio

Not at all, everything >35 (menopausal range is <35), on day 3 -4 is good, generally midcycle it should be higher, at least >80, bu they think to fell great it should be 120. I am done with hormonal testing, I doubt it is accurate and tells much during peri.
JMO