I am 49 years of age. I have not had a period in the past two months. I was afraid I might be pregnant although my Husband and I use protection. I am bloated and have weird sensations in my stomach. I have taken the E.P.T. testing four times, all have been negative. I know my next step is to contact my doctor, I am just petrified and although my Husband is wonderful and supportive, I feel I am going through this alone. Has anyone had anything similar?

Hi iedesign:I had to reply to your post because we are similar souls and I wanted to reach out to you.I too am 49 and am missing periods and feeling bloated and irritable and hot flashes etc etc. I also have hypothyroidism (this hypo has been with me since I found a goiter (nodule) on my neck 15 years ago). I take Levoxyl 100mcg dailyI also have a very supportive and loving husband who is very understanding of all I am going through, but frankly if you haven't been through some of these changes you can't relate. LOL.

But I am going next week to a new dr to see if I should change or adjust my Levoxyl for my hypothyroidism.Even though my TSH levels are fine when I get my yearly blodd work, I have heard wonderful things about weight loss, feeling more energetic, banishing mood swings and even helping with hot flashes, when ARMOUR natural thyroid medication is used in conjunction with Synthroid or Levoxyl or whatever man made hormone is used.So, I am hoping this will help with the perimenopause symptoms.I am tired, lethargic, having intermittent bouts of loss of libido (which has never bothered me before), have had weight gain, hot flashes, shaky hands, anxiety, stomach aches, headaches, you name it I had it.I feel good when my diet is filled with all the veggies and fruits and complex carbs (brown rice, sweet pot, whole grain breads and cereals).I also started using REMIFEMIN which is a tablet you take 2x a day for 6 months. It is an herb called Black Cohosh the Indians have used for over 40 years to relieve menopausal symptoms. (no side effects with me altho a small amt of people say they get a stomach ache from it). It has helped me tremendously. Especially the hot flashes. They just went away after a couple of weeks. But the thing I am trying to find out now is that REMIFEMIN says you can take it for 6 months and then you must stop. They go on to say that if your symptoms return you can go back to taking it. I stopped for one month now and the hot flashes are back. They can be quite interruptive. I enjoyed a restful nights sleep when I was on REMIFEMIN. I will see what they say. They have a website with a lot of info on meno and permeno on it. ***What I want to say to you iedesign is that you are not alone, you wont die from this and you will get thru it.And with all the helpful info you will find throughout these boards (and wonderful women) you will also learn how to feel great and better than ever. Let's help each other get through this magical time in our lives.Ok back to finishing my first novel :)All the best, Hang in there and dont lose your sense of humor.Chickey

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A late period or missing period is usually a reliable sign of pregnancy, or a sign of perimenopause.   With continued negative pregnancy tests, it is confusing when one is use to regular periods.  As the tests are 99% accurate, after four tests one seeks another explanation for the change.  A diagnosis of perimenopause by a professional,   could rule out tubal pregnancy or some other condition requiring medical attention.