FollowAt 52, I had honestly expected to be done with periods by now. Last year, when my periods started becoming irregular—delayed by 2 to 3 months at a time—and I began experiencing hot flashes and insomnia, I was convinced that menopause was finally knocking on my door.
I remember tossing and turning in bed at night, drenched in sweat, wondering if our bedroom air cond was going bonkers. It took me a while to realize that these nightly “heat waves” were, in fact, hot flashes. As uncomfortable as they were, I actually felt a bit relieved. I thought, “This is it. Goodbye, periods!” But oh, how wrong I was.
Fast forward to now, almost a year later, and I find myself back to monthly cycles—and not just any cycles, but heavy, inconvenient ones. Honestly, it’s disappointing. I’ve been so ready to close this chapter of my life.
To add to the mix, I have a 2.5cm fibroid in my uterus—something that started regrowing about three years ago, after I had a massive one removed eight years ago. According to my gynae, this stubborn fibroid is partially to blame for the heavy bleeding. It thrives on hormones and will only stop growing after menopause. So yes, another reason why I’ve been hoping menopause would come soon.
This month’s cycle has been particularly rough. I had two weeks of bloating, headache, and PMS, and when my period finally arrived, I felt so dizzy I nearly fell in the bathroom more than once. It’s frustrating, exhausting, and at times, scary.
As much as I’m looking forward to menopause, I know it doesn’t come without its own set of challenges—osteoporosis, heart disease, mood changes, and more. But still, the thought of finally saying goodbye to pads, cramps, and PMS is a comforting one.
I suppose this is just one of the many complex layers of being a woman. We can’t escape the hormonal ups and downs, but we can face them bravely, one step at a time. So here I am, still waiting, still hoping—and trying my best to embrace this stage of life with grace, even on the messiest days.
Have you reached menopause yet or are you going through the same roller coaster as I am? I’d love to hear your experience.
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I am not sure what is the average age for menopause and have not given it much thought until now. Is it true menopause is influenced by our own mother’s menopause experience?
Hey Liv
Yes, you’re right. A woman’s age of menopause is strongly influenced by her mother’s, with genetics playing a significant role. While not a guarantee, if a mother experienced early or late menopause, there’s a higher chance her daughter will follow a similar pattern. However, it’s important to note that both genetics and lifestyle factors contribute to the timing of menopause, so the daughter’s experience may not be exactly the same as her mother’s. My mum can’t really remember the exact age of her menopause but it’s in the 50s. So I’m still waiting ?
Sorry to heat about your menopause symptoms, Shireen. Apparently when you start your period determines when you enter menopause. I began having hot flashes in my early 50s but I was 55 when I had my last period. I thought I was done and then started having hot flashes again and now dealing with hormone loss. I am contemplating starting HRT soon.
Hey Su, sorry to hear that you’re now dealing with loss of hormones. To start HRT or not is a tough decision to make. There are pros and cons to it. Hope you make the best decision together with your doctor and will feel better soon * hugs *