So fecking angry - is this the menopause?

[nomadwantshome]

I was going to say ready to murder but obviously not THAT bad.

It feels like PMT but its not linked to my cycle. I was wondering if these feelings could be linked to the menopause? My periods are getting closer together, last one was 21 day ffs. They can be heavier and are differnt. I've developed excema on my eyelids, dry patches on my neck and my hair is drying up( no bad thing, been plagued by greasy hair all my adult life). Also I've had night sweats on and off, just chest area and not too bad.

I'm 43, went to gps a few months ago with exhaustion and mentioned the sweats so he did a blood test and it was fine. Also been checked previously for thyroid ( bit borderline) coeliac vit b def, anaemia ( borderline) but ferritin levels at 22. Gp was happy with this but I was not so have been taking spatone. I'm not feeling the exhaustion so much which is good. I've also cut back on milk and gluten along with caffiene as I've noticed these are not good for my poor tummy. Bloating has disappeared, yahoo and no diarhea or cramps.

BUT the moods are getting worse. Can it be menopause if it's not linked with my cycle. Sorry for long post, but I remember years of torture with PMT before I had kids. (also on ad's oh the joy)

[digerd]

The menopause is so individual, but it can cause moods with some women.
I never had the hot flushes during the day, but did have some at night and some terrible nightmares. But I was 48 and went on HRT which really helped. My periods were also shorter like yours.

[susanann]

As digerd has said the menopause is individual. I was moody, periods did the opposite to yours, had them sporadically. My memory was awful, my emotions were all over the place, I had hot flushes(but mainly during the day). I just felt awful. I actually walked out of a job, not all caused by the menopause but it was a contributing factor. Have been on HRT now for about 5 or 6 weeks. I feel so much better. Hot flushes are now rare and I feel better in myself. I know they say there are risks with HRT but I feel the benefits outweigh the possible risks. I could not go on the way I was. I would go back to the doctor and discuss HRT, if you have some health issues it can prevent you taking them. But its worth exploring this option. Good luck

[grimbletart]

Your periods can start to vary quite a long time before the menopause. My went from a cycle of anywhere between 27 and 32 days down to 21/22 or even sometimes only a fortnight. And that started when I was 43 although I did not actually go through menopause until I was 52. Peri menopause ca be quite drawn out.

[Hassled]

My periods got closer and closer together from about 43 (ended up having 2 a month usually) and while I wasn't ragey I was insanely teary. There were periods when all I really wanted to do was cry. I cried about anything and nothing - when on the face of it life was/is pretty good.

Anyway - at 46 I am on HRT and feel a hell of lot better for it. Still having (regulated, manageable) periods but no more random crying.

[TheFarSide]

OP, I am 50 and for the past year my periods have been getting heavier and closer together and I have been experiencing random PMT.

Previously, my PMT signalled an approaching period - now I get it seemingly any time, including after my period.

Definitely sounds like perimenopause.

[nomadwantshome]

Thank you all. I am particularly interested in your comment about PMT farside. I have been having random periods of PMT like feelings but just put it down to stress even when I thought it wasn't stress iyswim. Currently I'm about day 9 and have been having PMT feelings for about 5 days now. Other times, I expected them to clear up when period arrived but no. This is what particularly worries me, I was hell before. The thought of going through that is a nightmare. Does hrt help? Have you tried anything?

There are lots of posts about periods closer together ( or random) 2 weeks apart has anyone gone on to hrt and it's become more regular?

How will I convince my gp to prescribe hrt if my blood test is 'normal.'. I've also read that you need to have a few blood tests as hormones can fluctuate. I am not going to suffer like I suffered pre kids.

[TheFarSide]

nomad I don't take HRT (yet) and will probably avoid it unless my symptoms become intolerable.

I'm not an expert, but there are a couple of HRT experts around - maybe if you post on the menopause topic.

Good luck!

[didldidi]

If your thyroid is borderline it could be that this is giving you these symptoms? feel the cold alot?

[digerd]

When my Thyroid overacted, it caused lots of hormonal imbalance including stopping periods and blowing up with rage over nothing. The main and first thing that happened was I lost a massive amount of weight despite my appetite being huge.