Can't sleep, late periods, only 42

[Bimbop5]

I'm wondering if this is the start of menopause? My periods, which have always been regular, are now comin farther and farther apart. It's now 2 weeks late. I also am having insomnia. I was awake until 5am last night. I don't know why. I don't feel like I have anxiety keeping me awake. I just lay there. It's so frustrating. I'm taking 20 mg paxil and am thinking of moving it back up to 25 mg. I feel like I'm too young for menopause. I'm only 42. But my period started when I was 11. Don't know if that has any bearing on it?

[PollyPerky]

Read about early menopause. I've left a link today to this site www.womens-health-concern.org/ Go and see your GP. Say you think this is early peri meno. If it is, you need HRT up to age 51 at least as prevention for heart disease and osteoporosis in later life. Don't be brushed off- early menopause has serious life changing risks if not treated. You are 10 years too early compared to average menopause.
I don't know what Paxil is or for.
Strating periods at11 is not relevant- in fact an early start often means a late finish.

[SSYMONDS]

Me too. Started periods in primary school, here I am 41 and in perimenapause. Look at the Oprah website on perimenapause and also download the podcast 'not my mother's menapause' I'm learning all the time. I think in the end I'll have HRT but I'm still learning so will hang on before I make final decision

[Rinkydinkypink]

Really interesting. I'm only 39 but symptoms increasing especially mood and physical soreness etc. I started my period at an early 10. My DM was on hrt at 42 due to mood. I strongly believe alot of women know their bodies well enough to know when all this is starting for them!

[SSYMONDS]

Me too. I'm on a super low dose of Prozac for the pmt, complete game changer, but think I will go on hrt because of all the other symptoms. I'm worried it will make me gain weight though...

[PollyPelargonium52]

Broken sleeps and waking up in the middle of the night and not getting back to sleep can be a real curse during the perimenopausal years I am 53 and still get periods but they have been erratic the past year and a half. The sleep went haywire last autumn/winter.

I have had a breakthrough with vitamin B3 from Holland & Barrett I take 300 mg nightly half hour before I go to sleep and it works wonders. Occasionally I will still wake up for up to an hour but the quality of sleep is so much better. I did try initially 200 mg but it wasn't quite enough. On the bottle it will say do not exceed the dose but in actual fact online research indicates the maximum dose is 500 mg daily. I have 100 mg of B3 in my B complex at breakfast but that doesn't do it for me I need to take the extra dose nightly.

It is also very cheap and only £3.99 personally I swear by it and am feeling so much better! We all need our sleep in order to function and enjoy some wellbeing and quality of life.

[PollyPerky]

HRT sorted my sleep for me. I'm also pleased to read a new research study in Finland proving better heart health in women on HRT.

www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/research/review-article/establishing-the-risk-related-to-hormone-replacement-therapy-and-cardiovascular-disease-in-women/20202066.article

[SSYMONDS]

I've got an appointment to see someone at the Marion Gluck clinic in London. I think I'm going to pay (a lot) to have bespoke bioidentical hormones, as after reading a lot, it's the option that seems right to me.

[SSYMONDS]

Polly. Have been thinking about B bits too, I'll ask the consultant if I should take them. Thank you

[PollyPelargonium52]

I will save up and go to the homoeopath rather than take HRT I know many on here swear by it but I prefer natural wherever possible. My sleep has improved through B3 however. Could do with a constitutional boost and not seen a practitioner for some time.

Be careful with any medical history and B3 though- a friend has had a gallbladder op so can't take them. It depends on the individual. I think many things tend to have contraindications and sideeffects so best to research as thoroughly as possible. We wouldn't wish to bring on something else wrong with us!

[PollyPerky]

SSYMONDS It's your choice how you spend your money but the clinic you are going to does not offer anything differently to either the NHS or private consultants (but not Gluck.)

I strongly suggest you read the blog post on Menopause Matters website by Dr Currie (BMS Chair) about 'bio identical ' HRT.

It is not recommended because it is not regulated. Saliva and blood tests to determine the levels needed are not necessary and furthermore don't work.

The products you would be given BODY identical oestrogen and micronised progesterone are available on the NHS.

[Newtothis11]

Not sure if this is the first month your periods been late - is it possible you're pregnant?

[SSYMONDS]

Thanks pollyperky. It was actually my GP that suggested the clinic, saying there's a lot less trial and error than taking what would be offered on the NHS. I'll read that page you suggest now though. Thanks

[SSYMONDS]

Ps not pregnant, other half has had vasectomy!

[PollyPerky]

SS This is the blog- it can be hard to find so link for you

wwwmenopausematters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/bio-identicals.html

[Newtothis11]

It's possible to become pregnant following vasectomy- rare but possible! I'd do a quick test to rule it out if I were you!