Hello,
This is my first post here. I will be 40 in May and have been having irregular periods for about 4-5 years. I would usually be irregular around stressful times of the year- ie Christmas, end of school year (I am a teacher) . I have skipped periods before, but I have not had one since September. I feel like I am going crazy. I have had several other peri symptoms, night sweats, hot flashes, irritability and mood swings. I talked to my doctor last year, but he does not think that I am going through early menopause because of my age. He did suggest progesterone cream, which I use from time to time. Seems to help somewhat. I also have been under extreme stress these past few months. My mom had cancer that spread to her brain in late August. After doing raditaiton for her tumor, she became very ill and had rapid decline in her health. She passed away December 3 after being in Hospice for 4 days. My question is could this stress be the cause of no period, or is this just a progression of perimenopause. Has anyone else experienced this type of situation. Perimenopause with extreme stress and sadness.

Hello Harrek
I am so sorry to hear of your recent sad loss, and all the stress that can go with it. I feel certain that all this does contribute to our physical health. I myself have not had an early menopause, but I do know people who have been finished with menopause at 40. And I also remember my late mother telling me that as a young girl when she moved to a different country to work, she skipped periods for 6 months. So either reason is possible I believe. The important thing is to look after yourself as well as you can at this time, and you have done the right thing in coming to this wonderful women's site. You will get good support here.
Primrose

Yes, stress can definitely affect your hormonal balance and cause irregularity. My daughter in college always skips periods during finals week etc. You are also at the age where peri-menopause begins for many women and that could very well be a contributing factor. The best thing that you can do right now is try and take the best care of yourself. Eat healthy, exercise, take a good multi-vitamin and strive for 8 hours of sleep! Hang in there and there is a good chance that in time things will settle down for you. Let us know how you are doing!

Sheesh!! If I hear of ONE more doctor telling women they are too young for peri-menopause, I'M GOING TO PULL MY HAIR OUT!!

I think there is some age confusion because the AVERAGE age of menopause (when periods STOP for 1 year) is 51. So at 40 one would be YOUNG for menopause, HOWEVER, Prei-Menopause (the reduction of hormones, and the aggrevating symptoms!) can occur up to 15 years PRIOR to menopause, so at 40 you are right in the game!

With that said WELCOME TO POWER SURGE!!!

I agree that stress can be the culprit. There could be more than one reason for the skipped periods. The stress, sadness, hormone fluctuations can all pay a part in it. I'm soooo sorry to hear about your mom. That is awful. No wonder you're having such a hard time!! My prayers go out to your and your family. My mom died when I was 37, right when I was having other symptoms, and I could never tell if it was grief, hormones, or just exhaustion.

Well, now that you have found us, I recommend you spend some time checking out the entire website. There's tons of info here that our beloved founder Dearest has made available to all of us. You might want to start here: http://www.power-surge.com/educate.htm It's easy to stay in the message boards because these ladies are SO wonderful, and knowledgeable, but try to venture out and read it ALL.

((((harreck))))) hang in there, and READ, READ, READ!! I really belive knowledge is power.

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom. I lost my own Mom a few years ago on Christmas Day so I understand how you feel.

Yes, your emotions and stress can wreak havoc on your periods and increase your peri symptoms too.

You are definitely within the age range of hormonal changes, too. I started at around 37/38 with the wacky doodle cycles.

I'm 52 now and going through crazy cycles and bouncing hormones, so it does get a bit worse before it gets better. But you will get through it and we'll be here to help you! "This, too, shall pass" (((hugs)))

Thank you to all who responded. I am so glad that I found this site. Today was a very emotional day for me. I could not stop crying. It was comforting to know that there are others who have had similar situations. It is so hard to talk to anyone because my mom was my main go- to person. My husband is wonderful, but not with the emotional stuff.
Thanks again,
Kate

Welcome to PS,

I am so sorry for your loss, my mother is huge in my life and has been someone I lean on alot through all this.....bless you through this time.

Peri or stress I don't know they both can cause no period and 40 is on the young side to be in full menopause, but not unheard of, Peri however is a different story and can cause you to miss periods for several months only to start a regular cycle again and many of us were in our late 30's when that started. when I was 19 I skipped my period for 3 months, I remember I was dieting and exercising alot so I must have been sensitive to this and messing things up.

hugs mikkki

Menopause is considered "normal" if it occurs anywhere between age 40 and 60. So 40 is considered normal, albeit earlier than average.

harrek, if you have been irregular for 4 to 5 years, then I would say your missed periods are not due to stress but that you are either very close to menopause or have just recently entered.

I think you are beyond the point where supplementation with progesterone only will help you. If you want to do hormone supplementation, you will probably get great relief with estradiol and progesterone combined. I'm using a great estradiol product called EstroGel and I have had almost total relief from hot flashes, and my mood has improved too. I also use progesterone,

Welcome harrek

I'm so sorry for your loss - to deal with this on top of all the hormonal stuff must be really tough - sending you hugs. I would not be surprised if there were a link with all the layers of stress you have with hormone imbalance and skipped periods. As others have said, try and be kind to yourself and take each day as it comes.

Hugs