#dr.washington

“When was your last period?” Dr. Washington asks, while she types up some notes. Anita shifts position, wishing she hadn’t removed her coat. She feels cold, and fat, and foolish. “I…I can’t really remember,” says Anita. “Two or three months ago? They’ve been erratic for a while now.” “Weight gain and menstrual irregularity are the first signs of perimenopause,” Dr. Washington says. “What’s perimenopause?” says Anita in alarm. “Perimenopause refers to the time during which your body makes the transition to menopause,” says Dr. Washington. “When you haven’t had a period for 12 months, you have officially reached menopause. The average age of menopause is 51 in this country, so I’m confident that’s what your symptoms indicate. But just to be on the safe side I’ll take some blood from you and send it off for some tests to check your iron levels and so on, and also to make sure you’re not pregnant.” “Pregnant? At fifty?” says Anita. “How could that even be possible?” “It’s certainly rare, but it has been known to happen,” says Dr. Washington. “But as I said, I’m confident your symptoms point to nothing more dramatic than perimenopause. Now, can you flex your right arm a few times for me to get the blood flowing?”