Menopause and Hysterectomy
I feel dumb for asking this question, but this is all new to me. I have endometriosis that was really only treatable through a hysterectomy in 2018 because the location of the extra tissue meant it couldn't be removed. They left in one ovary, so I do have something of a cycle. I had normal hormone levels until recently. Not sure how recent as I hadn't been to a obgyn in 3 years. But I recently went and my hormone levels had massively dropped, so I started HRT. The thing is, I don't know how i actually tell when I hit actual menopause vs. perimenopause due to not having a period. I haven't had a period since 2018, but I have a hormone cycle and for a long time had almost all the symptoms associated with periods (although the pain massively reduced) except for the actual period part. I still can tell I have something of a cycle, though far less than I used to. But how do I know when I've actually hit menopause?
Not a dumb question at all - hysterectomy makes this so much harder to track since the usual “12 months without a period” rule doesn’t apply.
In general, when someone can’t use periods as a marker, menopause status is often assessed through lab values, especially FSH and estradiol.
Hope you get some clarity soon - it’s a lot to navigate.
Thanks. So, I do have very low progesterone and estrogen and have been started on HRT. Just wasn't sure if that was perimenopause or if was fully in menopause. So confusing honestly.
Without a period, menopause doesn’t have a clear finish line. It’s more like your cycle symptoms slowly fading and hormone levels staying low consistently.
It’s not a single moment. It’s a gradual shift.
Please don’t feel dumb at all, this is genuinely confusing after a hysterectomy with one ovary. I remember feeling so lost about how you even know it’s menopause without periods to guide you. My doctor said it’s usually based on hormone levels and symptoms over time, which isn’t very clear and can feel frustrating. Are they planning to recheck your levels soon?
Please don’t feel dumb at all, this is such a confusing spot to be in after a hysterectomy. With no periods and one ovary it’s not obvious like it is for others. A lot of women only really know through hormone tests and symptoms changing more consistently, not one clear moment. It makes sense you feel unsure. Has your doctor mentioned how they’ll monitor this on HRT?
