So confused and anxious

[Goingtobeawesome]

Told by nurse not pre menopausal from blood test result. Consultant said not how it is decided. Saw different nurse for something else and she thinks I am starting.

I think I am too and the current worst symptom is the anxiety. I have had depression a lot and I am wondering if it is coincidence I have anxiety side effects or I was bound too due to previous mental health issues. Does anyone have any advice please?

Second worst symptom, being fat!

[FrameyMcFrame]

What are your other symptoms and what age are you?

Have your periods changed recently? Mine started to go closer together, a classic sign of peri menopause apparently.

If it is peri, I found that 'Menopace' supplements took the edge off the anxiety, could work until you can get hrt?

[Goingtobeawesome]

Hot flushes, weight gain, period nearly three weeks late one month then three days early the next. Very anxious. PMT more often and worse. I'm 44. I took some HTP5 tablets to help with the anxiety but I don't know if they helped as I had real stuff going on that would make anyone anxious and she said not to take the menopause vitamins until I knew. The nurse has also said not too. I'm under the hospital at the moment but don't know if the symptoms are menopause related.

I'm emotionally anxious due to relationship issues so hard to know if just that or hormonal iyswim.

[PollyPerky]

44 is a bit on the younger side for peri meno but not that young. It's usually from 45- 50-ish with the final period at 52 for the average women.
Anxiety is not always a symptom and I think you'd be better not anticipating it due to your previous MH issues.

Irregular periods are a symptom but these can be caused by emotional upset just as much as hormones.

Are you able to access counselling, CBT or Mindfulness to help your emotions, then see how the physical symptoms go after that?

[Cunties]

I started hrt at 42 it's been brilliant for me. I suffered anxiousness, adrenaline surges which kept me awake at night. I tell you I was a shadow of my former self and hrt has bought me back.

[Cunties]

Panic stacks too. Also, I used to get really stressed and worried about things that never usually would.

[Goingtobeawesome]

I'm not sleeping well, up for a wee a lot too. Feeling very fragile but life is throwing a lot at me at the moment and I'm just fed up with it all tbh.

[FrameyMcFrame]

I don't think 44 is young to be experiencing the first signs of perimenopause.

If menopause averages as 52 it's possible for peri to go on for 10 years.

The part where hormones fluctuate but you are still having regular periods can go on a long time, some women are more sensitive to hormonal fluctuations, others would not notice it.

Hormone levels and fertility start to drop from age 35 so some people would have an altered experience for that age.

[FrameyMcFrame]

How are you doing Goingtobeawesome?

[Goingtobeawesome]

Hi Framey

I'm confused, after my last two periods were very late then a bit early, this one is bang on. I'm definitely having hot flushes, I'm stressing about stuff but tbh I think it's justified and I'm finding when I'm upset I'm getting migraines.

[PollyPerky]

You're right Framey about peri lasting for up to 10 years but in my experience (of me) and friends, no one ever had irregular periods for 10 years. They might have had slight variations in their cycles ( eg 28 days, 30 days. 32 days. 26 days) but not long gaps etc over 10 years. Early peri symptoms seem to be very minor and most of the people I know only recognised them with hindsight once they were post meno.

Going what you're describing is bang on normal for peri- short, long and normal cycles. It sounds as if your major issue is anxiety - is this about meno or other things going on?

[Goingtobeawesome]

I don't think I'm anxious about starting the menopause. No periods would be great and no real chance of another baby but I am anxious about stuff going on in my life.