Could I be peri-menopausal?

[Flippityjig]

I'm 48 and my periods have been heavier recently. This month the cramps were unbearable, like childbirth, painkillers barely touched them.

I'm fairly regular still, every 28 days but I get a little bit of pain mid cycle with very brief slight spotting, then about 5 days before period properly starts I get spotting every day. Feels like I'm bleeding at least half the month and is interfering with our sex life a lot!

I did have bad PMT but have changed my diet significantly, cutting out all caffeine, sugar, dairy and most wheat and feel much better for it, painful breasts only for about 2 or 3 days before period now and the feeling I want to kill someone down to 2 days too! LOL

My period is really heavy on the first day, but then very light for another six days. I'm hot at night (only during my period though).

I did go to the doctor (an old biddy doctor) who said it was just my age and I'd have to put up with it until the menopause is over. Depressing!

I'm guessing that could be a good few years and things could get worse.

Is there anything I can do? Is it worth going back to the GP? I don't think they'll prescribe the pill because I have migraines, although not often these days. I don't really want HRT and would hate to have to go to hospital for a hysterectomy or something.

sorry if I sound like a wimp, just wondering if anything can be done or if anyone has similar symptoms?

Thanks for listening :-)

[Flippityjig]

I should add that my hair is falling out and has been for ages, I put a clump in the bin every time I brush it and when I shower it blocks the plug!

Also have lost my waist despite losing weight recently, struggling to regain it, although tbh never had much of a waist, used to be skinny, straight up and down!

Libido not fab, most of the month I just want to sleep at night rather than romp!

I don't feel old enough to be feeling like this yet, thought I had a few more years of fun ahead of me before "becoming an old woman"?!!!

[cocolepew]

Go back and ask for a hormone and thyroid test.

[Flippityjig]

Every time I've been to the GP about tiredness and IBS etc they take a blood test for thyroid but it has been a few years since they last did, so I will go back and ask again.

[cocolepew]

I sounded quite bossy there didn't I ?

A lot of your symptoms sound under active thyroidy*. A hormone test will tell you if you're menopausal.

*not a medical term

[cocolepew]

Ohoh heavy sore periods and ibs could be endometriosis. If your blood tests are ok,and it continues, ask for a gynae referral.

[MissBoPeep]

At 48 you are definitely peri age- the whole process can take 10 years and as the average age of meno is 51 then you are right on target. Hair loss can be a sign of anaemia and if you are bleeding a lot this could be the reason.

TBH the only routes are either complementary products- such as Menopace- which work for some women ( buy at Boots etc.), change in diet and lifestyle ( more exercise, and continue to clean up the diet) or HRT.

Why are you not wanting to maybe try HRT? All the lastest evidence shows that the benefits outweigh the risks for women under 60.

[Flippityjig]

Thanks for the replies. I admit I haven't done any research yet - foolishly I thought I had plenty of time yet! ;-) However I thought taking hrt increases the risk of heart disease?

[MissBoPeep]

Have a good read of this site- the HRT section.

//www.menopausematters.co.uk

The latest research shows that HRT may well reduce heart disease. It certainly doesn't cause heart disease for someone your age who might only need to take it for 2-5 years.

[Flippityjig]

Thanks MissBoPeep, I will have a look.

I have a doctors appointment on the 6th Nov, will see what she says.

[Flippityjig]

so I had my appointment at the doctor's yesterday. She examined me and took a swab, I'll get the results of the swab in a week. She found my cervix was inflamed and red and bleeding slightly, she also thinks she can feel something behind my cervix which may be a fibroid, so has booked me in for an ultrasound, appointment should be in two weeks or so. She also booked me in for a blood test for everything under the sun!