Oh I'm really confused, I saw a link last night to NBC Cares web site and ran to look up info since they has mention having new info on menopause.. So I'm reading a Interview with Dr. Isaac Schiff>here is one statement he made>>>For perimenopause, she has to skip at least one period, but not 12 or more consecutive periods. Also, in perimenopause, periods and the intervals between periods may get longer or shorter.<<< Ok I will be 48 tomorrow and have all the symptoms of peri-meno>>>BUT>>> I have never skip a period. Sooooo I'm not in peri according to Dr. Schiff??? My periods have been shorter 18-21 days for the last two years and now just the last two months they have been a week late. BUT I have yet to miss one! .. I have no doubt I'm in peri-meno! I had a PA tell me recent the same thing> I WAS NOT IN PERI-MENO because I had NEVER Skip A Period! Just wondering everyone else's thoughts? ~C ~C

Dare I risk giving my opinion here? Sure, why not??? lol! I think the ONLY person that really can diagnose whether or not you are peri, is yourself! I've come to the conclusion that there is NO real way to identify perimenopause within the medical community. I have found that it is based solely on the individual by the symptoms they are experiencing. I KNOW I'm perimenopausal, and GOD pity the person that argues that fact with me! lol!! I know how my body is changing, and how miserable I feel. Thankfully my doctor listens to me, and is understanding. I don't think he'd dare not to at this point in my life to be honest! I used to read and listen to everything and anything on peri when I first started experiencing it. The books that said yes, the books that said no, the people who told me I'm going crazy, and the sympathetic people who half understood. The best place in the world that I found to verify what I'm going through, (AFTER medical testing to rule out anything else, I might add) was right here in Power Surge. If ALL of us are experiencing the SAME symptoms, the SAME feelings, then who is it to say we are NOT perimenopausal??? *sigh* Just my opinion, voice, or whatever. lol Been a long few days. :roll: HUGS!

I thought that any changes in the menstrual cycle indicated perimenopause. Shortened, longer, skipping, whatever. Listen to your body, because I seriously believe there aren't many medical experts in this arena. In early peri, I'd read shortened cycles are more common. I skipped one. Had far too many shortened cycles. Frankly, I think it began at 39 with night sweats and worsening premenstrual depression. Then when the periods got wacky chronic panic and chronic depression. Up a creek without a paddle for a few years there. My TSH was non detectable, as well. At that point I shook, not internally, but externally constantly. Don't listen to doctors!!! My SIL has an APRN in ob/gyn and started feeling terrible with shortened periods. She said, "I'm not in menopause, yet." I had to explain that peri is generally the worse part. I never heard the you have to had skipped one. I did hear it takes as long to get rid of your period, as it took to get it. UMMMMM, about 12 years. This is a slow process for some women.

These are the same people who told you Premarin prevents heart attack, strokes, memory loss, etc, based on anecdotal evidence. They rather lost some credibility with me that day.

Kleeo is a wise woman. Listen to your body. I gave up. Whatever, doctor.

Here, here, Chriscarol. Nobody knows our bodies like we do. I've yet to skip an entire month, but have gone longer durations without bleeding. I've had them closer together. But the anxiety, headaches, body aches, lack of sleep, night sweats, hot flashes, vision disturbances, numbness/tingling, (should I go on?) tell me that peri has settled in. And there is not a person on the earth who will tell me different. RIGHT GIRLS?? Having each other here is menopause Heaven. In my opinion. HUGS!

I agree 100% with everything you said chris and Kleeo... I have read SO many articles on peri and meno that i have quit reading(other than this site)...every professional seems to have their own definition...especially doctors.To me,it's no different than this lady I know that went to the doctor and told him she was pregnant...he told her she wasn't....he did a pregnancy test and it turned out negative...he flat out said she WAS NOT pregnant.She KNEW her body and KNEW that she WAS pregnant.....turned out she was,she just knew her body so well and could feel the slightest little changes that she knew before the tests would even show it.I KNOW i'm in peri right now...i don't care if someone else may think i'm not,even if a doctor says i'm not....i haven't missed any periods(yet)...bit i still know.

Let's see. . . I'd just say Dr. Schiff is an arrogant idiot, maybe.

Ohhhhhhh Good just I thought everyone would say! Isn't these the type of Doctors you want to take a BIG stick too! Oh yes if you read his entire interview he wants women on HRT's or BCP's...He will never even for a second know what it's like to feel peri-meno> so he can take his text books and you know! Opps sorry Dr. Schiff but I have PMS again> so it pretty much gives me the licence to say what I want!

All my Drs say that I'm not Peri, but I beg to differ. I'm 43 and for the past 2 years, I've suffered from anxiety, panic attacks, night sweats, longer and shorter periods (I was always a 28 day girl.) I also have PMS starting from the day I ovulate and get terrible migraines with my period. Is it hormones? "No!" say the Dr's. So what the heck is it? :roll: