perimenopause?

[scrabble1]

I'm 46, regular periods but started having some strange symptoms. First one is feet tingling it is uncomfortable. I have also started having migrane with nausea/vomiting. Previously only had visual migranes with no sickness or pain. Could these be peri menopause?

[ALaughAMinute]

Could be the peri menopause but could also be something else. How long has this been going on?

Tbh your symptoms sound very unpleasant so I think you should see your GP.

[Idratherhaveacupoftea]

To be honest it doesn't sound like any symptoms of the perimenopause. I'd see a doctor if I was you.

[Rufus27]

OP, I disagree with Idrather. It DOES sound like possible peri menopause - though obviously rule out other things first.

Aged 39/40, I ended up having brain scans, MRIs, and all sorts of other unnecessary tests as my former GP didnt realise that menopause/peri menopause can cause more symptoms than the usual anxiety, vaginal atrophy, hot flushes, night sweats etc.

Luckily I found a super endocrinologist who immediately suspected the peri menopause to be the cause of my random tingling, numbness, nausea, back ache, dizziness, palpitations and brain fog/feeling like I wasnt in a room when I was. Blood tests showed my FSH (usual indicator of menopause) was normal but my estrogen was all over the place. It's often these estrogen fluctuations that cause these weird symptoms in peri menopause. (Remember that estrogen affects 250 processes and parts of the female body, so it's no surprise that symptoms can be varied. For example, estogen can affect water retention which is what was the cause of my numbness and tingling).

Please look at this OP www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/perimenopause.htm and you will probably find the website menopausematters helpful too.

My current GP, a female in her 40s with an interest in women's issues has been amazing and things are now massively better for me.

[scrabble1]

Could it be vitamin b12 issue?

[PollyPerky]

It doesn't sound like peri to me, but if you are getting worse migraines you need to see a dr. First signs of peri are usually irregular cycles or changes to your cycles. Add-in insomnia, flushes and sweats, poor memory and gaining weight. You might get migraines if it's part of PMS but I'd still see your GP.

[PollyPerky]

Why are you latching on to a B12 issue? Are you anaemic?

[Rufus27]

Polly there are more symptoms than those you've listed. The less usual ones seem more likely to affect younger women (30-40s). I think this is because they are due to estrogen fluctuations rather than just decreased estrogen. I had all those OP listed but none of those you mention. I am not saying this is the case for OP, and agree it needs investigating, but it's wrong to assume all women get the same (better known) symptoms.

The link I posted above mentions tingling and digestive issues as symptoms. My migraines were/are only ever hormone related and the aura/nausea got worse with age.

[Rufus27]

OP Just found this thread on a different forum which might be of interest. There are threads on this site about tingling extremities too.
www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,36151.0.html

[lucy101101]

I seem to be working through every symptom of the perimenopause including dizziness etc. (m on a sharp learning curve!) so it could well be that... but I would also be seeing a GP as if it wasn't you might not want to delay any diagnosis/treatment.

[Rufus27]

Lucy I know that feeling. I remember feeling like a freak and was convinced my GP thought I was a hypochondriac. Was so relieved when I found a cause!

[PollyPerky]

Ha ha Rufus yes, I know :)

[lucy101101]

Hi Rufus, it is pretty frustrating although one GP has now apologised to me after doing some more research! I had no idea at all that all these different things might happen to me and all have the same cause... doesn't stop me worrying though each time I get a new symptom!!!

[MercuryMadness]

I am 45 and my periods are becoming more and more infrequent which I take as a sign of perimenopause. One horrible issue is that putting a tampon in is incredibly painful. I still need a super jumbo tampon for heavy bleeding but it feels incredibly I'm uncomfortable and very painful to remove. Any advice?

[PollyPerky]

Mercury- it's vaginal dryness. You need to see your GP and ask for vaginal estrogen cream. It won't get better without and will get worse. :(

If you go to the website Menopause Matters there is a link to the magazine they publish (read online) and this month there is a long feature in it on vaginal atrophy- well worth reading.

[PollyPerky]

mercury - here Click on the pages -
right hand page-
and you will find the feature menopausematters.co.uk/issue48/mobile/index.html

[Rufus27]

I really recommend the website Polly has referred to. So helpful - and you'll quickly see that lots of your weird/unusual symptoms are not so unusual after all. Just realising that I was not alone made a massive difference to me.

Lucy I am beginning to think that health anxiety is a peri menopause symptom - that constant state of 'now what?!!'. I never used to worry like I do now!

[Mummytron]

My periods are regular still although have changed in duration and flow. But I have all the symptoms you mentioned OP. I am convinced I am Peri as I have lots of health checks due to other things and it's not down to anything else. I disagree with he first Peri sign being irregular periods. I think hormones start acting up early on. I'm 41 and my gp with commit but says it could be. My mum and sister were through it by 45 so it's not unreasonable. It drives you mental though doesn't it, wondering what on earth is wrong!

[PollyPerky]

mummy you might find it helpful to read the info on the Daisy network site because at your age it's considered early menopause.

This is a list of symptoms on that site.

www.daisynetwork.org.uk/about-poi/signs-and-symptoms/

There is also a lot of info about ages,, how to test and what your GP should do, all under the menu tab 'About POI'.

[Mummytron]

Thanks Polly
I've had blood tests which come back ok. I can only go by symptoms and feelings and it's very much cyclical and like pms worsened. They won't entertain hrt at the moment.

[PollyPerky]

If they have not done the tests as described on the Daisy site, I'd go back and ask for a referral to a gynae. Age of menopause is hereditary so looks as if it may be that :(

[Rufus27]

Mummytron It really frustrates me that GPs can provide such contrasting service: mine accepted I was menopausal aged 39/40, despite the fact that my mum and gran still had periods at 58. She also immediately put me onto HRT for bone/heart protection. Although my blood tests did indicate estrogen deficiency, she was happy to go by symptoms alone.

I found Menopause Matters really helpful and supportive, despite being one of their younger members (but by no means the youngest) and it's free to be a member too.

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

I'm 49 and have regular periods but am having problems which seem to be peri-menopausal?

I'm gaining weight. Get the tingling. Feel out if it sometimes. Aches and pains especially in legs. Sleep problems. I've had anxiety for years and am on citalopram for this.

I was thinking of getting my thyroid checked? But I had a full lot of blood tests recently so would have thought it'd show up?

I hope you get some help soon op.

I've decided to exercise and eat healthier. I have a fairly active job but need to move more.

[Mummytron]

For the people who have mentioned tingling where do you get it?

[Rufus27]

I used to get it in my fingers and toes. However, it then moved to my head/scalp and sometimes I'd get a wave of it going across my back - a bit like an army of ants running across me (!) I later found out this is a 'classic' sign of fluctuating estrogen, but at the time I was convinced it was MS!

[lazarusb]

I could have started this thread myself. I'm almost 46, having significant depressive lows every time my period is due. Also disrupted sleep, anxiety, dry skin on my face, memory lapses etc. My periods are regular but only last a day and a half.

I made an appointment today to see my GP because I was working from home and spent half the day in tears without any real reason. Then I checked the calendar and hey ho - there's a pattern.