Hi, newbie here. (waving) I'm and 43 and having many of the symptoms posted here.
Thank God I found this place. I have been reading a lot of messages posted here and I can so relate. I don't feel so alone now. One question I have is this: I had my hormone levels tested yesterday (at my doc's office, not the gyno. I see my gynocologist in July...but I wanted answers now) So levels were tested and they came back normal and the nurse said my homone levels show no signs of perimenopause. So now I am thinking, what am I then, nuts? Do your levels have to be out of wack in order to be having perimenopause symptoms?

Hello and welcome to Power Surge! I am delighted to meet you and will hope to see you around often.

Many GYNs do not even do hormone tests. My own calls them "a snapshot in time" and does not believe they are worth much. Instead, she listens to facts and symptoms and judges accordingly. I think we all agree that one can be in peri even if an FSH does not indicate it. The very definition of perimenopause--a stage during which hormones are fluctuating--would seem to prove the point.

I went for 18 months without a period. A former doctor did a series of FSHs, all of which came back as "consistent with menopause." Then I started menstruating again. I am now 56, and I have not yet gone throug meno. Argh.

Listen to your instincts. From what I know, your doctor's nurse is just plain wrong.

Very best,
Marcy

You are not nuts. Our hormones fluctuate minute by minute at this stage, so the tests aren't always accurate. You know how you feel, always trust that. Welcome to a wonderful community of women. Keep reading and posting. It's the best way to helping you feel better.

Joan

Thank you both so much for the warm welcome. I am so glad to have found this community. I can see that I have a lot to learn and discover.

Blessings,

Lisa

Hi Lisa:

I am new here too and thought I had definitely lost my mind. I finally got on the internet one night determined to learn as much as possible about menopause. This place is the best. I have found so much information here that I have not gotten from my doctors. I have been tested several times for menopause and been told over and over that my tests were normal and that I was too young!!! BALONEY!!!!!!!!

I have learned that I am not alone at all and I have learned that many things that I am experiencing are part of perimenopause and not in my mind or me going losing it.

I am glad you are here.

Blessings back at you,
Jeaninne

Thank You Jeaninne. yeah, the docs seem to think I am too young...but everywhere I'm reading that it starts in the 40's. I had a few hot flashes here and there and breast tenderness and closer periods (20-25 days instead of 28) but it seems like everything hit full force about a month ago.

I am just so glad I found this place!

Lisa

My primary doc is a nurse practitioner who was a obgyn nurse for 20+ years before becoming a NP. When I thought I was doing the peri thing after having a hysterectomy (overies still in) she said "don't bother" and not to waste the money. They are not accurate tests because you can fluctuate DAILY. Also, that readings can be completely normal and you are still in menopause!!! Go by your symptoms. That is your best shot. Start writing them down and comparing them to the signs of menopause. You'd be surprised!

I will do that. Thanks for the info.