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General health

Am I in peri or menopause?

12 replies

Perinono · 29/01/2020 07:46

Hello, confused at moment and wanting advice from those with knowledge on menopause/peri please.
No period since beg November, have always been regular 28 day cycle up until that point, so pretty much 3 cycles missed now. (Except just one cycle 6 months before that where I was 10 days late then it normalised again) Age 48. Done pregnancy test, negative. Had hormone blood test about a year ago but normal levels.
I have been convinced I've been in perimenopause for a good 2/3 years now. Have had lots of anxiety and panic attacks, currently under control with therapy and sertraline (I know some will say I shouldn't be on ADs but they have really worked for me). Other symptoms have been chest and breast pain, palpitations for a few months (checked out, heart is fine, they seem to have happened in the summer months when I was overheating), no actual hot flushes as such but an increase in body temperature at certain times and some night sweating. Joint pain but I am getting older! Forgetful, losing words mid sentence.
Digestion and heartburn issues about a year ago but stopped since panic attacks stopped. Recently noticed some sudden headaches (ice pick I think), have never suffered from headaches before. Weight gain (but I overeat!) and cannot lose weight as easily as I could previously. A general apathy to every day chores (can't be bothered or fatigue, don't know?!).

My question is, have I just entered full on perimenopause stage where my period could suddenly come back and be heavy etc. and this could go on for years or do you think it's possible that I've gone straight into periods stopping dead and possible menopause now as I'm sure I've had peri symptoms for years?? The reason I'm wondering is because I'm kind of feeling better in myself recently. For 30 years I had no real PMT symptoms but have been very aware of them for past 2/3 years (another peri symptom?) But now I don't seem to have any PMT so feel generally better with my digestion, chest pain etc.
Any thoughts much appreciated in this confusing time, thank you. Smile

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ChilliMayo · 29/01/2020 07:53

I think the cessation of periods is seen as the last step before full menopause, although it took some time after that for me to feel better in myself. However, it's not over till it's over as they say....and you have to go 12 months clear before you can confidently say that your periods have ceased (and I think you may have to give it longer on birth control just in case of a rogue egg!)
I went 7 cycles without a period then had one, so the count started again. But hey, the end may be in sight for you!

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ChilliMayo · 29/01/2020 07:55

I think I first went 4 months, then 7, now at 18 months.

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Perinono · 29/01/2020 08:14

Ok, so the fact I've missed 3 cycles could be a "good sign" that I'm heading towards the end. I was hoping so!
Please can I ask, did you get worse symptoms at the stage where you went 4 then 7 cycles?
Really want to know if I will suddenly get hit with full on menopause symptoms ie. hot flushes, dryness etc. I know we're all different so impossible to say but wondering what others experiences are when there starts to be a long gap between cycles? Thanks.

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Abraid2 · 29/01/2020 08:17

I went once for eight months and once for eleven months before periods resumed. I never felt awful, but insomnia and apathy led me to HRT and it helped a lot.

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Perinono · 29/01/2020 08:20

Abraid2, did you have peri symptoms before that?

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Redwinestillfine · 29/01/2020 08:25

Watching with interest. I have had all the symptoms you describe other than stopped periods ( but had a coil fitted two years ago to manage erratic periods so who knows...)

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Perinono · 29/01/2020 08:31

Oh good, someone else with the same symptoms. Really helps to know you're not going mad doesn't it! Do you put it all down to peri?

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Redwinestillfine · 29/01/2020 10:43

Yes but never had anything confirmed so that's just my explanation! I had a blood test 2 years ago which showed nothing. I got referred to gyne and had pelvic scan but ( other than the coil) nothing was done. I am a bit on the young side though (42) and so it may not be that but having never had any real premenopausal symptoms before I can't think what else it is. I feel like the doctors don't really thanks it seriously, and it's all manageable but annoying (especially the nausea which I don't get all the time but does seem to link with cycles, or where cycles would be if I didn't have a coil in)

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Perinono · 29/01/2020 11:57

Yes I feel that too and as my blood results have been normal it's like they don't even consider it. All these symptoms I have mentioned over the years and not one doctor (including heart specialist) suggests perimenopause. So strange when on these forums you read about all of these symptoms, you'd think the doctors would link them immediately, irrelevant of your age!

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Abraid2 · 29/01/2020 13:29

Perinono

Massive flooding each period.

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ahran2k · 29/01/2020 15:11

@Perinono most likely it is menopause. Some women have very little symptoms of perimenopause and they just go through with menopause. However, there could be another cause - lack of progesterone. If you are not going through menopause then not having progesterone will cause your uterine line to grow thick and not shed. Menopause would cause both estrogen and progesterone to decline while estrogen dominance / anovulation would cause no period but only progesterone decline. And every now and then when your body produces progesterone you have a period. Look for symptoms of estrogen dominance Vs low estrogen and see which side you fall into. It could still be most likely menopause but visit a GP , they might do a blood test or a scan.

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BooseysMom · 29/01/2020 15:19

@Perinono I get all these things too, insomnia, mood swings and palpitations are the worse things. But my periods haven't stopped at all yet although the last one was a bit early. I'm 47 and have been ttc but feeling way too past it now! I also forget simple words and feel like my DM!
I had blood tests and all normal. They wouldn't do hormone tests as they say they fluctuate too much. None of them mentioned menopause! I find all the hormone stuff confusing. I don't want HRT if i can help it

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