Blood tests fine; is it definitely not perimenopause?

[BlameItOnTheBogey]

I'm 38. My mother had completed her menopause by 39. I have many, many symptoms: periods much closer together and very heavy, absolute rage the week before my period which I never had before, weepy a lot of the time, terrible insomnia which is cyclical but predictable, night sweats which are also cyclical and last a few days around when I get my period.

My gynecologist wasn't interested at first - too young apparently even though I told her about my family history. Eventually she ran some bloods and told me that the levels are all fine and so this isn't perimenopause. Is that it then? Case closed? I feel genuinely wiped out by the huge mood swings, insomnia and night sweats and I don't know where to go next. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[pinkfrocks]

I am sorry that you feel rotten but I think your gynae is being a bit off hand.
Is this an NHS referral or privately?

How many blood tests did they do? The absolute minimum is one around day 3 of your cycle and then another after day 14 ( mid cycle.) This might need to be repeated over 2-3 months if the tests are saying not peri but you are having symptoms.

The reason for this is that during peri our hormones vary day by day so one test or even one month's tests aren't reliable.

I think you ought to go back- or see someone else who is more caring- and really lay it on how bad you feel, and insist on more tests. Or you could ask to try HRT and if it works then that proves you needed it.

If you are having a premature menopause then you really do need HRT to protect your bones and heart as you are 10 years at least too early compared to the average age of 52.

[traceyr1964]

I believe I have started perimenopause I am 50 and had regular 28 day cycle up until February of this year. My February period came after 3 weeks then 2 weeks later I bled for just 1 day. This period was 4 days early but I have been bleeding for 14 days now. My hubby is telling me I need to make a doctors appointment this Friday! I take an iron supplement which I have been doing for over a year as I have always suffered with heavy periods and this has helped with tiredness. My periods usually lasted 7 days. My question is do I need to see my doctor at this point?

[FuckyNell]

Op some doctors don't even offer blood tests, they go by symptoms alone.

Pink is right, see someone else and get yourself some hormones. Good luck!
//Www.menopausematters.co.uk

[FuckyNell]

I think that tracy if you are feeling okay then no. Heavy prolonged bleeding is a problem for some ladies I know so if you're worried then of course go.

Do you think you would consider hrt?

As said in my previous post

//Www.menopausematters.co.uk is an invaluable source of information and advice

[BlameItOnTheBogey]

Thanks for taking time to reply everyone. Pink I don't live in the UK so it isn't an NHS doctor but medical standards here are good so I'm a bit confused by the reaction I am getting. I've had one set of bloods done (on I think the first day of my cycle) and that was that.

The frustrating thing is that whether this is the menopause or not, I need help. The mood swings and insomnia are awful and my family are very kind about it but it isn't fair to them to carry on like this.

I'm doing everything I can think of to help myself (I've noticed that alcohol makes things much worse so I've cut it out and I exercise daily which helps too). But it sounds like I need to go back and insist to be taken more seriously.

Thanks everyone.

[TheGingerTree]

Hello

I presented with almost identical symptoms apart from the hot flushes. I was so miserable and desperately anxious and very low. But I would still get a run of a few days when I felt fine again. I thought I was going mad.

2 female GPs dismissed that I might be peri menopausal. Too young. I am 45 FFS, not 30.

3rd male GP took my symptoms seriously and diagnosed me as peri menopausal purely on my mood swings, insomnia and anxiety because there seemed to be a cyclical pattern to them.

But he still referred me to a menopause clinic for expert help. The consultant there ordered a sequence of blood tests but told me it was likely they would come back 'normal'. But my symptoms were definitely real and she diagnosed me based on them alone.

On day 8 of HRT. Not working yet. But very early days I suppose.

Go back and insist on a 3 month trial of HRT. What harm can it do? If you feel much better then you know you needed it.

[BlameItOnTheBogey]

Thanks for replying Ginger - I am heartened to read your story. Can you update in a few weeks with whether you think the HRT is having an effect? It is so utterly miserable and I feel quite helpless about the whole thing. A few days ago, I was just randomly sobbing for no reason at all. Then the night sweats and insomnia kicked in. Today I am emerging out of it and I have a spring in my step again and I know I have a few days reprieve before the whole thing starts again. The fact that no one is taking me seriously is contributing to my feeling of going insane...

[TheGingerTree]

I am exactly the same. Really. Up and down like a bloody yo yo.

Yesterday I felt so low and despairing. Today I feel so much better and brighter. But I do feel quite weak and drained like I am recovering from a huge shock. I don't know how much longer my body can sustain these massive mood swings, which are such a shock to my system. I dread to think what damage they're doing psychologically?

I will keep you updated. I am on Day 9 of HRT. In fact I'm thinking of starting a new thread keeping a daily account of how I am getting on with HRT. It will help me and might help others hopefully.

[suzyp72]

a year late but better late than never :-)
just had my bloods tested for hormonal changes and again came back "normal". had ablation surgery in 2009 and no periods since but the flushes, mood swings and insomnia are driving me crazy!!!!
I was told too young for menopause (45) but something HAS to be going on????

[Crazyhorse123]

I have also been having a really hard time. I'm 42 and last summer had a crashing depression, terrible anxiety and heart palpitations/ faints. I also felt extraordinarily tired. My periods have been frequent and long and I'm also blessing after sex. Been to gp twice and blood test normal so they are not really helping. Going back Monday though. Feel bloated all the time and constant bleeding putting sex relations on back burner which is hard but then my libido has gone too and v dry. Anyone else identify with those symptoms?

[Stressheadmom]

Hi im going throught thr same - my moods are rediculas at times one min im crying the next i wanna rip someones head off. This really scares me. Im 41 and got all the meni symptoms but 2 lots bloods have came back clear. Went to a scan yesterday internal and external to rule stuff out but there clear.. iv been put on the mini pill to see if works temp until results xx

Does anyone do any other methods to help .

[Emerald13]

The same here! I was 41 when I diagnosed with early meno with almost regular but very light periods. A year on hrt and feel normal again. Ask for help and find a specialist who knows and cares. Blood tests aren’t accurate during peri.