You remember I said a while ago that Flo don't come to call no more? Well guess what? Damn, all I need while entertaining a guest and having to take her out and about.

She's persistent, I'll give you that. I once went 2 years without a visit, and when she came back my doctor sent me for a scan and a whatsit (that was fun, really fat in a chair with stirrups and 2 medical students who looked about 14 observing.....). Everything was fine, so we just assume she's persistent but it's been 4 months this time.... I'm 54 a week tomorrow btw, so it's not like menopause is unexpected.

Strangely I'd wondered about hormones just the other day, because my skin and hair have gone off a bit, and it's not like I'm not eating a healthy diet.

On the other hand, I logged a 2lb loss yesterday - on the eve of Flo's visit! I'm even more impressed.

Aunt Flo always comes a calling at the worst times! Honestly, I'm not surprised. Did you know that you store a type of estrogen in your fat cells? Losing weight releases this estrogen into your system. I've noticed that losing weight sometimes makes me a bit more emotional. I often think it might be this hormone shift.

I was just gonna say what Rhonda said! It's not surprising this happened now, considering all the fat you've been getting rid of!

Ailidh,
I suggest that you mention this to your doctor. For years, every time I went to the doctor I was asked, "Have you gone 2 years without a visit from Flo?" For the past few years I have gone months and months without Flo visiting but never 2 years. So my family practice doctor just kept telling me this is normal.

Then last summer, after a 22 month absence Flo came to visit and would not leave, kinda of like other unwanted visitors. I decided to skip my FP and go to the gynecologist. Flo was not Flo, but was caused by endometrial hyperplasa, a thickened lining of the uterus, caused by hormonal imbalance. Obesity is listed as one of the primary causes but my doctor told me that he sees it in many normal weight patients. I had to go through all kinds of stuff because this is one of the primary causes and symptoms of Uterine Cancer. I was clear but have to be watched now.

Anyway, I just wanted to warn you to tell your doctor because at our age, we have to watch out for this stuff and it is another reason that I want to encourage our younger members to keep going in the weight loss battle. There really are consequences for being morbidly obese.

PS -
OOPS! Sorry Ailidh! Read your post too fast! I see that you went to the DR before about this, so my post was unnecessary for you. I am not going to delete it because it may help someone else.

A agree with Time2Lose. I would ask for your blood work to be done as well.

Thanks for the comments. I'll definitely mention it to the doc. at my next review. When I joined the practice in January I asked the nurse if this on/off again was in the bounds of normality and she said yes. And I had my blood and other stuff done about 18 months ago when she returned suddenly.

OK, I'll call to make an appointment. Thanks for the advice, all.

This may sound a daft question but when I ask the doctor for blood tests - you have to have a good reason, they don't like doing things that cost them money - What am I looking for in my now you see it now you don't menopause case?

FSH tests are the standard. A good gyn will also check for thining of the lining in the uterus.

Thankyou.

What's fsh?

In the UK (unless you're super rich and can afford private health care) you have to go to a general practitioner. They then refer you onto a specialist. Eventually. And unless something's clearly critical, you generally have to keep going back presenting with the same symptoms many times before they take it further. And, with every respect to medical practitioners, I find it hard sometimes to have confidnece in a 30 year old young man to really take my odd ovaries seriously!

Something else to consider here...have them check your thyroid. Not just the T4 levels, a COMPLETE thyroid test, T3, TSH (I think its TSH), all of it.

After having my last son 9 months ago, I had ONE normal period and then a few months of continuous non-stop spotting. Then it stopped. No period came. Months of no period. I had ultrasounds and bloodwork. Nothing. I had them recheck my thyroid again and it was WAY off again. Thyroid can affect your periods. After a few tweaks of the medicine and about 6 weeks later, she arrived. It was the first time in a long time that I was happy to see her! LOL!

So ask to have it checked, even if you are on medication. I was; and my last test wasn't that long before things went haywire. You just never know.