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Menopause: Questions and answers

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In my mid-thirties I suffered from extremely frequent periods - every 13 days! This continued for a number of years. Usually they were very heavy for the first day or so, but by the time I was 42 this pattern had stopped. My periods returned to the normal 24 day cycle and now I have regular periods for 7-9 months of the year followed by a more lengthly gap. During this gap, my periods would normally start every 36 days. The gap has increased over the years and it is now around 70 days. Lately I am experiencing old blood spotting rather than periods between these gaps, though the flow is still heavy enough to warrent wearing protection. I am doubting whether or not this was a period. I have been going through family stress recently with my mum. On three occasions I've experienced hot flushes at night, although I took Sage tablets for a week and they seem to have worked. I suffered from hair loss around 5 years ago, and I am with a hair clinic who have confirmed that I have typical female pattern baldness. Consequently, I am taking minoxodil drops which have improved my hair growth to a very good rate. My last blood test, which was taken a year go, revealed that I was not menopausal. However, a blood test taken two years prior to that one, indicated that I was borderline. If anything else, I am more concerned with why I am bleeding brown blood, and I was wondering if this was one of the Peri-menopausal symptoms? Your opinion on the other factors would be greatly appreciated too.

Changing periods are often one of the major signs that you are approaching the menopause. Periods at this point can vary between heavy and light, on... Read the full answer 〉

Did you know?

You won’t get the menopause the minute you turn 50! The average starting age is actually between 45 and 55 and it can often depend on a number of factors including hereditary, weight and health, however every single woman will have an individual menopause.

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