Peri- menopause

[troubleatmill2011]

I've had blood tests and this doesn't show menopause but I do have vaginal dryness, low libido, irregular periods (could be related to recently diagnosed fibroid and cyst too), feeling down, feel hot a lot of the time when others are cold. Do you think this could still be pre-menopause? How can I tell if the blood tests don't show?

[PollyPerky]

Blood tests are not accurate for peri meno. NICE told GPs a year ago ( new menopause guidelines) not to do blood tests for meno on women over 45. If you are under 45, yes, as that would be an early menopause.

The advice from NICE is to treat symptoms and disregard age (in women over 45.)

[troubleatmill2011]

I'm 42 and blood tests have been normal

[PollyPerky]

Have you had 2 tests on 2 separate months, on days 2-5 of each cycle?

If not, that's what you should have.

I think in your shoes I'd ask for a referral to a gynae who is experienced in prem menopause because something is clearly going on .

[troubleatmill2011]

No just had the one blood test. Got Gynae appointment 08/11 so will ask then, thanks

[Notsogrimupnorth]

I think I have the same symptoms as you, I've had some blood tests done but they were on the first day of my period and that was just by chance as I wasn't asked to get blood test's at any particular time. I seem to be having periods every two weeks and they are ridiculously heavy, I'm currently in bed , shivering and exhausted on the second day of my period where I feel like I've lost pints. Does this sound familiar to anybody?

[troubleatmill2011]

Hi North, sorry your going through that - how old are you and how long have you being getting irregular periods?

[Notsogrimupnorth]

I'm 42 and safe been getting more and more regular for the past year and more frequent. This month they seem to be heavier than ever though and I literally have no energy left. Just checked my temperature too and it's really high but not sure how that could be related 😳

[troubleatmill2011]

Probably worth a trip to your GP, my heavy periods have been put down to fibroids but my cycle is now all over the place so still think pre menopause is at play. Are you planning on going to your GP?

[Notsogrimupnorth]

Have already been and waiting for blood tests. Will hopefully no more next week.

[Notsogrimupnorth]

That was supposed to say know more - have been dictating so I realised that last post didn't make a huge amount of sense

[troubleatmill2011]

My blood tests all came back ok but I believe blood tests often don't indicate pre menopause all that well. Let me know how you get on

[Pollypocket50]

Hello I have had heavy painful periods for 12 months. Following an internal scan I was advised that I have small fibroids.I asked to have them treated/removed but was told I had to have a Merina coil fitted. I was not keen on this so have been given the mini pill.
I still have heavy painful periods surely if the problem is the fibroids then they are best dealt with?
But having seen 3 different doctors they all say the same thing it's coil or nothing. As I am 50 they say the fibroids will disappear once it gone through menopause.
I have no symptoms of menopause and no problems till this year. I am very fit and healthy and take regular starflower and primrose.
Is the coil my only option really?

[lisaS72]

Went to my local surgery last month and requested some blood work done due to all the symptoms I have experienced since last June especially the night sweat, mood swings and depression and etc. Popped back into the surgery to see if the results are back, only to be told by the RECEPTIONIST that everything is normal in front of other patients in line. Since when the receptionist is a trained medical professional?!?🤬

[PollyPerky]

Wasn't she reading off the form that had come back from the lab, which your GP had looked at and (presumably) noted as 'normal'.

[Mandy2018]

I'm 36 years old and have just had my hormone blood results and doctor has told me I have started the menopause early. I feel devastated and just feel old now. The doctor has referred me to a gynaecologist and said they will talk through it all with me, but urges me to start hrt estrogen only as estrogen level very low. I have the mirena coil in which apparently is givingredients me the other progestogen hormone. I don't know what I will do as hrt can have so many future risks ie breast cancer, blood clots etc. But also told if I don't have the hrt then big risk of osteoporosis, which there is in my family. What should I do? The doctor says the hrt will replace the estrogen hormone and recommend I do this for 14 years till I am 50, then come off it to go through menopause naturally. Or should I try and do this naturally with herbal remedies. I feel like there's risk whatever decision I made. As I say I am only 36, have a 16 year old and have finally found my self a lovely man who wants to marry me in 2 years. Already have mood swings and don't want to destroy my relationship through being hormonal. Any ideas which way I should go? ? Is anybody else my sort of age and are/have experienced this? And what did you find helped you?

[Emerald13]

Hi Mandy! I'm a bit older than you, 42 and on hrt. Only hrt can protect you from the long term consequences of estrogen's deprivation! You can use HRT safely until 50 cause you just replace the hormones your body should has. HRT is the only way to protect our bones, hearts and skin! That's what I strongly believe!

[Mandy2018]

Thanks Emerald13. I will seriously think about the hrt. It's nice to hear that there are other women that have been through this at a young age so thanks for your story and your advice.