I have a question, I am turning 44 and have several girlfriends who are in their late 40's and are starting to experience the start of Menopause. I was curious when Menopause typically starts? I am still on the pill and plan to continue until I'm 55, what affect with that have on my start of menopause or symptoms associated with menopause it. Thanks, Kelley

Hi, Kelley: Have you asked your doctor about this? It's hard to say when menopause will start for anyone, because we're all different with different individual and family health histories. I also know women who started in their late 30's, and others who started in their 50's. Some seemed to go through it fairly quickly, while it took me several years.

Hi Kelley Thanks for your post! I would talk to your doctor too. Menopause generally starts around age 50 but can vary with every woman. Birth control pills have a much different effect on a woman's body in her 40s and 50s than a woman in her 20s and 30s. Your doctor can give you more information on the risks and benefits.

Michelle: Oh my god....this is amazing information. I can't thank you enough. This information will help me request the right tests which is half the battle. Also, I see that you have some of these books on the site and will order one so I can get myself up to speed on this condition. Thanks again for getting me pointed in the right direction. Kelley Michelle's Post/Help Below Hi Kelley, Menopause is one of the trickiest things for women and doctors. If you want to read, what I consider to be one of the best books out there.... It's Dr. Elizabeth Lee Vliet's book, It's your Ovaries Stupid. Yes, that's the title. Women can start losing hormonal levels in their mid thirties. Everyone should have a hormonal base line done when they are 30 to 35. Blood work only...No saliva tests. At least, I would never do a saliva test. Blood work is the most accurate way of testing hormones. For a lot of women the first thing that happens is the interruption of sleep. You can log onto Quest Diagnostics and and go to the section for "women" and download the blood work you should take to your doctor. Tell you doc that you want a baseline of all your hormones. Don't and discus forget to check with insurance to see what they will cover. Sometimes they may not cover everything but you should check on the cost of the test. Sometimes they are so reasonable that you wouldn't not want to do it. It's just that no one tells you. They just assume that you don't want to pay for it. Quest has a very comprehensive section for women's health and blood work. That's where I have my blood tests done. Each lab tests differently. You want the lab that has the most comprehensive and sensitive testing. Feel free to email me any questions you may have. I've read 30 some books on the subject and will give you all and any resources that I've found that are helpful. I am 48 years old and I've never felt better. Our mission is to help you make good choices and have access to resources and information. Thanks for joining EmpowHer. Best, Michelle King Robson

Here's an interesting story about menopause out of Europe.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/1...

i am 50 and have regular period until one month ago. my last period was super light and short (strange for me), while I have never been regular, right now i feel crampy and bloated and am overdue by about 5 days. but, nothing. i am feeling emotional and teary, and don't have anyone to talk to. is this how it feels? am i starting menopause? it's upsetting.

hi! I just read your post from April 14th, and you mentioned you have missed one period, are feeling emotional and teary, and are 50 years old...worried that you are starting menopause.

With just one period being missed, it is difficult to know if you are starting menopause. Have you talked with your doctor about this yet? Since this message was from April, how are you feeling now? Here is one of Michelle's posts about menopause, and a book and website she recommends:

From Michelle's response to Kelley:
"It's Dr. Elizabeth Lee Vliet's book, It's your Ovaries Stupid. Yes, that's the title. Women can start losing hormonal levels in their mid thirties. Everyone should have a hormonal base line done when they are 30 to 35. Blood work only...No saliva tests. At least, I would never do a saliva test. Blood work is the most accurate way of testing hormones. For a lot of women the first thing that happens is the interruption of sleep. You can log onto Quest Diagnostics and and go to the section for "women" and download the blood work you should take to your doctor."

Please let us know how you are doing, and be sure to register with a Username on EmpowHer site, so we can keep up with the conversation (instead of me talking to "anonymous"...I'm afraid your messages will get lost in the crowd again!!)

Take care!