I just turned 48 in October and have had the following irregular cycles: 2001 (1) irregular cycle of 13 days between cycles My gyno. told me she didn't think I was in perimeno. at this time. 2002 (2) irregular cycles 14 days between cycles and 10 days between cycles 2003 (1) irregular cycle 15 days between cycles Skipped August and September 2004 (2) irregular cycles 13 days between cycles and 15 days between cycles Skipped June, July, and September with hot flashes in June and July No hot flashes now. All rregular and normal cycles lasted about 4 days exactly. She did an ultrasound in January of 2003 which was normal and blood test which showed ovarian failure. This week at my annual she said the 15 day cycle was worrisome and that she told me to keep track of my cycle and she would decide in February when I come back of whether she will do another ultrasound or biopsy. She also did a PAP of which all my PAP's have been normal. SO0000 - we will see what the blood test shows. :roll: I asked her if this could be the start of menopause and she said it could be. Doesn't it just kill you when your Dr. doesn't even want to admit to you that your in perimeno. Anyone else experienced these symptoms and this reaction with their doctor? She upset me a bit.

What does she mean by the 15 day cycle being "worrisome"? And what sort of biopsy is she thinking of? (I think you said your pap smears were normal). Boy, I'm not an expert, but you've had hot flashes and now irregular periods. Anything else off the list? I can understand you getting frustrated with yr doc, it's almost like she's looking for other medical reasons for your irregular periods. Which is good, I guess, at least you're getting checked out! Stay with the forums here and see how you relate to the stories of others. I for one am just groping around in the dark with my symptoms, diagnosing myself as peri-menopausal, as my doc is no help.

Hi Chiswick, Welcome! I too would ask specifically why your Dr feels it is "worrisome". I have had very short cycles for years - about 3 weeks in between, and have had several Dr's tell me the only real concern would be that I might become Anemic. So far I have not - but make sure to take iron, folic acid and vitamin c (which helps utilize the iron) and eat my spinach. : ) You definitely should read up here - there is a ton of helpful info and stories....and here is a link to where you can see some of the more common signs of peri-menopause. Peri is the term used when you have begun to exibit the signs that your body is starting to change - but you still have periods. So many of us that visit Power Surge are right where you are. Click here for a quick outline - http://www.power-surge.com/educate/menoprimer.htm As for Ovarian failure - I don't know exactly what that means or what should be done about it, but I would ask your Doctor. Remember that your Dr. works for YOU, and it is YOUR body. I agree with Little Troll - and also feel that if your Dr is showing concern, then she needs to tell you why - as in, exactly what she is concerned about, and what your treatment options are. Simply telling you it is "worrisome" is not only NOT helpful, I think it is unprofessional. Her job is to help you understand what is going on so that you can decide what you want to or need to do. Women can go into peri-menopause as early as 30 - but most start around 40-45. 45 is definitely in the ball park of a reasonable age to start seeing changes in your cycle. I would be a little upset, too. You may want to consider changing Dr's if you are not comfortable with her or she is not being helpful. Peace, -Mary Beth

P.S. Obtaining a conclusive confirmation that you are in perimenopause is not necessarily going to be as easy as lab work. There are blood work series and saliva tests that can be done. But my GYN was reminding me that they can be tough - since your hormones may be flucuating wildly. I know there is one blood test where they draw blood every time you at the third day of your period for several months and try and determine the levels from there. But she also tells me there is no one test that can actually tell you for sure. It's more like you check the list of symtpoms associated with these changes, and see if you can see yourself in the list. The hot flashes and skipped periods sound like you are in peri. So perhaps it would be good to focus on what symptoms really need to be delved into further - like the ovarian failure, or anything debilitating. For example, if your hot flashes are keeping you from sleeping, there is a great Soy product called Revival that can be very helpful. Peace, -Mary Beth

Hi. I am 49 and Friday had a pelvic sonogram and before that an endometrial biopsy (which came back normal). The reasons for the test were because of my bleeding pattern which has been only 1 to 2 weeks in between periods with periods lasting 2 to 3 weeks. Bleeding alternating with spotting.Hormones cause most of these problems but Drs. usually will check you out eliminating other causes (fibroids,cancer,etc.) The ovary failure might just mean you did not ovulate and the biopsy would probably be the one I had.Like I said most of the time they are caused by hormones. Take care everyone!