Did anyone else's own mum go through menopause early (ie even early 40s)? Do you know if that is an indication that my own fertility might be lower than someone who's mum went though menopause in their 50s? Hubby and I were planning to ttc this year (I'm 30 this year) but are having to delay for another 1-2years due to work situations and now I am a bit panicky that we are leaving it too late and it won't happen for us. Anyone in the same boat or have any advice? I was tempted to see the doctor to check things out but it seems silly really when we haven't even tried.

i wouldnt worry at the moment. my mum,nan and greatnan all went through the menopause in their late 40's but all before they were 50 but none of them (thankfully) ever suffered a misscarriage or had any problems concieving. tbh i would expect a doctor to say to see them when you have t=been trying a year if nothing happens but i have my fingers crossed for you and im sure you will be on pregnancy forum before you know it!

i was worried as my mum completed her menopause just before her 40th birthday, i had 2 mc in my late 20's early 30's, then had my son first month ttc at 35, i am now 38 and expecting our 2nd, although after 9 months trying i went to the gp to express my worrys, they said that early menopause was not hereditary but they would start investigations the following month i got my bfp. so it doesnt have to be an issue. in your early 30's it shouldn't have any impact.

Thank you. That is quite reassuring...especially your story Sally. My mum was before her 40th also so wasn't sure what the impact was on me - good to know it's not hereditary! I guess that is all I wanted to know as when you are just planning to ttc but not actively ttc all those worries are there but you don't feel you should bother your gp about it until you have been ttc for a good 6 months or so. The unknown is so annoying! Thanks

Hiya, I am in exactly the same position as you - I am 30, we are due to get married NEXT december when I will be 31 and the doctors have said not to wait that long (as my mum got her menopause at 39). I don't wish to scare you, although the doctor's sure as hell scared me, but I had the tests done, the doctors suggestion, seeing as early menopause with my mum, my aunty and my gran all had it. They have come back fine, which is good, but with the knowledge i know about the family history, and the doctor telling me not to wait until im 31, if kids are important to me, I feel I would be stupid to wait, even though we are not remotely in a place to have kids currently. However, we are putting things in place asap to change this, so to be able to start ttc next April. It's scary -  and we're not ready, and ideally i would prefer to wait til after the wedding, obviously, however, I will never forgive myself if i only end up with one child, or dont give my first child the attention it needs as i am already ttc for a second in order to pop it out in time!! It's tough, I would suggest going to the doctor, although perhaps takes any scaremongering with a pinch of salt and get in tune with your body about when you feel it's right, internally. Secondly, I am going back to the doctor with my partner as i know he is terrified, but wants to have kids with me, so i think, as with most situations (and for men) knowledge is power! The more we know, the more of an educated decision we can make. I hope you work it out, and it all works out for you, and me xxx

Hi,

I'm coming into this a little late, but just for anyone else with this predicament, I thought I'd ask: have either of you ladies considered getting your FSH and AMH levels tested?

These are pretty good parameters of measuring what condition your ovaries are in and if you could be suffering from premature ovarian aging (a condition which can indicate early stages of early menopause). 

You're probably fine - but it could put your minds at rest, and allow you to have your families in your own time, instead of rushing into it because you may, or may not, have early menopause.

P.S. Here's the page that I used as a source, in case you'd like to read more: http://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/early_menopause_pregnancy.html

 

Yeah my mum was 45, her sister was 36. I started my periods fairly early at 10 years old so im a bit worried that im only just starting to try at 32 and hoping ive not missed my chance. Ive just had blood tests also which state that my ovaries are making to much estrogen so not sure what this will mean for us also. Good luck to everyone xx

hi ladies not quite in the same boat, my mum didnt have early menopause. she did have really excessive bleeding that made her very anaemic and they had no choice but to do a hysterectomy at 37. her sister had the same, much earlier, in her early 30s. i dont know if this could also happen to me.

im 33 with a 2 year old, i'm glad we started when we did (pg at 29, ds born 2 weeks before i turned 31). i know now i have  a lo we could never have coped with an 18 month or 2 year gap. its been hard and i still find myself twisting my oh's arm (and sometimes my own!) about another.

However, i do want one more. i always imagined a 3 year gap and all done by 34. Oh is taking a bit of persuading but the further our lo's are apart, the greater the leap back to the beginning. its been a tough road and i want to do nappies and sleepless nights again while i have some energy. i want the excitement to be there that we had with a 1st but im just not sure it ever would be with a 2nd, we know too much now (lol, not saying for one moment i wouldnt love another as much).

i can say the sleep deprivation and sacrifice is tough even in your early 30s and this also makes me want to get on with it, it has to be harder in late 30s even if you are one of the lucky ones this is possible for.

never thought too much about my mum, maybe because we have a child already.

cazzasimpo - good that you've thought about not being under pressure to have a 2nd if you start a bit earlier. can't tell you how much of a dilemma that can pose when you have one. its tough on a relationship to survive it all once, you do need to pickt the right time 2nd time for whole family.

xxx

sorry, meant to say i was pg at 30, gave birth 2 weeks before 31st x