I'm 48 years old. My mentstrual cycle has been like clockwork. Lately I've been depressed, had trouble concentrating, and exhausted. I haven't had a period in almost 3 months.

I saw my OB/Gyn and he said the symptoms and lack of menstruation could be menopause. He did a blood test for FSH.

The FSH levels came back at 3.6 and the nurse indicated that is barely early perimenopausal since those levels should be much higher as you get nearer to menopause.

Now I'm worried that there is something else wrong if the FSH test indicated I'm not menopausal.

I have cramps and feel like I'm going to have a period but nothing happens.

Has anyone had low FSH and still been in the late stages of perimenopause where you skip periods?

Sara

I am 49, will be 50 next month. I had my first FSH level checked last year when I was 48. I went to the GP because I was exhausted and my periods were very irregular. I even skipped one. My FSH level at that time was 2. I had my FSH done again last November and it had gone up to 65. I have now only had two periods in 8 months. My doctor seemed surprised that it went up that high so fast. I know that the levels can flucuate from day to day, but I would say mine is even higher now. I think if they checked your FSH levels in a few months it would be much higher. I hope this helps some. I also had cramps for months with no period but finally after month 5 I did have one.

Kim

Sara

FSH levels can fluctuate in peri, so it's not enough with one blood test. In fact, when levels are fluctuating so much, I sometimes wonder whether there is any point doing blood tests. For example, you haven't had a period for a while, yet your FSH is still in the normal (pre-menopausal) range. Yet, there are women (please check around on these message boards for evidence of this - it is worth doing so!) who have had FSH clearly show that they are post-menopausal but who are still having periods. Unfortunately, doctors do not readily admit that these contradictions can occur during peri and that FSH levels are not reliable during this stage - one can only speculate why this is so. Furthermore, it does not matter whether the gyno is male or female (you'd think that a woman would know better!). Fortunately for us, Dr Northrup explains these contradictions very well in her book, The Wisdom of Menopause.

I've reached the conclusion that this reluctance on the part of gynos is probably a world-wide problem - I'm based in Sweden, and have exactly the same problems with doctors as my US meno sisters.

Can you try to see your gyno to discuss your FSH and symptoms again (I would bypass the nurse, if possible)?

If your gyno is still unsympathetic, it is a good idea to look around for a new gyno, who is willing to listen. I know that this is easier said than done - but worth doing!

Thank you for responding to my concerns.

Knowing that the FSH tests can fluctuate puts it in perspective. If the test was definitive and reliable it left me with concerns about what else could be wrong with me if perimenopause was ruled out by this test result.