To ask how old you are and what your perimenopausal symptoms?

I’ll never know when I go into peri or if I have already 😂 I’ve had a chronic illness with all these symptoms since I was in my teens. And my periods have never been regular.

51 here.... Symptoms have been,
Brain fog
Irregular periods
Hot flashes
Joint pain, esp my hips
Insomnia (this is the one that convinced me to start HRT, I just couldn't function properly).

Ironically though perimenopause changed my life for the better! My mental health improved massively, lost a ton of weight, got fit, got my shit together basically. People say I'm like a completely different person now.
I've since realised that I probably had PMDD most of my adult life without knowing!🙄

How do you know these are all peri symptoms and not due to another reason like bad diet, being unfit, normal aging, stress?

Well presumably people know if they havd a bad diet, are unfir or stressed. And as for aging - well, perimenopause (and its symptoms) are part of normal aging for women, aren't they?

It's not quite as you suggest. I've known a chemical free, vegan yoga teacher who died of cancer in her 40s. I've also known vegan healthy people who have struggled enormously through menopause. It's not a great look to smugly suggest you are journeying through menopause easily because of some virtuous action of yours.

New symptoms to add...when i get sweaty my whole body itches!!! And get hives urgh. Had no period for 4 month...got excited..then had a period ugh. All ugh xxx

@CharlotteBog only iron

That ALL sounds like perimenopause!!

I'm 47 and am convinced I am peri. The main symptom is itchy skin, particularly on my neck and scalp - it is driving me CRAZY. Second symtpom is abdominal cramps, mainly very uncomfortable in my lower abs and lower back. The cramps can take my breath away. Exhausted during the day. No hot flushes but I'm on Fluoxetine for depression, and the GP said that this is also used to treat flushing.
I went to the GP last week to ask for HRT but she wants the gynaecologist to check something out first. The appointment is only three weeks away, but I wish it was sooner as I am a bit fed up.

I’d say all of that sounds exactly like peri to me!

46, not sure at all if anything is happening re perimenopause!

Yes I do have the brain fog, but I've got a lot on my mind and a lot to physically do and remember, so I feel that is normal for me.

Yes I do feel pretty exhausted, but also possibly for the above reason.

Yes to night sweats but only occasionally.

Yes to thinning hair but I also had my thyroid removed seven years ago and maybe it's that.

Yes to achey joints but I do a bit of running and maybe I'm wearing them out.

Very light periods now as if they are coming to a stop soon.

Libido feels normal, but then again me and dh haven't had sex for 12 years because he is a nob.

So, sometimes I wonder if it's time to see the GP about HRT as I am that age, but then think maybe it just isn't happening to me yet. I'd like a definite sign!

Did they not offer to test for possible other causes (vitamin deficiencies, thyroid function)?

48

• Brain fog - I can never find the word I need
• Thinning hair (so upsetting)

• Weight gain around my middle despite eating significantly less and exercising more.

I genuinely think that if I could sort out the poor sleeping bit, I could pretty much handle everything else - this seems like the holy grail!
I didn’t sleep too badly last night (I’d got to the point of exhaustion) but it’s so infrequent - I’d pay good money to sleep!!!

Yes wait and see is exactly what he said. Hard when you feel like shit all the time though!

@CharlotteBog there are some changes to my cycle but they're not drastic. The last three have been more regular (28 days ish) despite the fact that they've been in the late 30s for the rest of my life. They also go on for ages (12ish days, though much of that is spotting in the last few days). Large blood clots which i didn't use to get so much.

No, I guess not. But if there are no changes in menstrual cycle I would look into other causes and remedies before considering that it's peri.

55

Extremely heavy periods every five to six weeks.

Forgetfulness.

Irritability.

Insomnia.

Weight gain.

Brain fog.

Anxiety.

None of this is pleasant but it's not unbearable at this stage, more an inconvenience. (My husband may say differently 🤦🏻‍♀️)

Is 42 that early? Because peri is up to 10 years before menopause and 52 doesn’t seem early for menopause (my mum was 50)

Did the GP suggest a wait and see approach? In the absence of changes in your cycle, 42 would be quite young to be going through perimenopause and it might be worth trying other things before asking to go onto HRT.
The thing is, with 2 young children and a full time job, there's not much wiggle room to make changes to your every day life. It's tricky.

I went to the GP yesterday to be told it was most likely two young kids, full time job and life rather than peri. I'm 42. And sceptical that that's what it is.

I'm 44 and don't have any of the physical symptoms but I've been feeling the rage and being very short-tempered lately. Periods are normal and no issues with the hot flushes, brain fog, joint pain or insomnia. No idea if it's regular hormone stuff, having 2 young dc, city life or perimenopause?

I'm 49 and my last period was about 3 or 4 years ago. That's an estimate. I can't remember exactly.

I started peri at the beginning of my 40s which is apparently early. I don't know if that's related to my pcos or something.

Main problems were feeling like I was bloody melting. So hot at night! Sweating like a pig. My memory has become a forgetory. My alopecia got worse. Not sure if that's related. Dry skin.

My periods have always been hit and miss. I could go months without one then bleed for weeks. Or have two in a month. Or have one that lasted a couple of hours.

But when I started with this, when I did have a period it was an absolute bloodbath. I thought I'd pissed the bed more than once
Also massive clots.
Everything and everyone became really annoying. I became very short tempered and basically ran out of fucks to give.

Who knew you only get as many fucks as you do eggs and when they're gone they're gone?

If this is like electric currents in your legs, magnesium cream might help. I’ve started experiencing this and it’s so unpleasant (and wakes me up so I end up tired)

I’m 56 and still having regular periods although they last longer. I’m hoping they will stop SOON for good! ! Did yours gradually get more and more infrequent?

In my case because I’ve always had a healthy lifestyle and had to eg up the exercise/ cut out alcohol completely to maintain previous levels of well-being. So in all behaviours I’m healthier than ever before (yaaawn). Could be “normal” aging though in my case I guess.