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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask if this happens at 40?

65 replies

CobaltQueen · 05/07/2024 13:47

I am about to turn 39 and know someone who is 41. She says she has been in peri menopause since 2020 and the following has happened-
Not being able to remember simple information such as names.
Smelling bad despite washing regularly.
Make up looking bad as ageing so much the same looks don't work anymore.
Amongst many more. Is this really the norm once you hit 40?

OP posts:
SallyWD · 05/07/2024 14:01

I'm 49. Most of it's true. I wouldn't say my make up looks bad. Maybe not as good as before but not bad.
The only thing I haven't found to be true is smelling bad! I sweat a lot less than I used to. When I was young and more hormonal I was a very sweaty person. Now I can even wear tops two days in a row.

NecessaryNC24 · 05/07/2024 13:59

None of the above. And am studying for a masters so no memory issues yet.

GalileoHumpkins · 05/07/2024 13:58

I'm 55 and through menopause now, I don't smell any different and my memory is as good as always.
I think a lot of women are convinced that everyone goes through peri/menopause exactly the same and of course this will happen to you too, it's not true. Mine has been a bit of a breeze other women have a horrible time. No one can tell you what yours will be like.

ButtSurgery · 05/07/2024 13:55

I now have to use soap to wash as shower gel doesn't work - only in the last few months. Recurrent UTIs due to atrophy 🙄. Snoring. Bursitis. All linked to perimenopause apparently. FFS.

I'm now on HRT pessaries.

Original poster
CobaltQueen · 05/07/2024 13:54

My aunt was more towards her early fifties rather than 40. Never mentioned anything about smelling bad/different or memory issues at 40 though.

OP posts:
KimberleyClark · 05/07/2024 13:52

I did find when I hit peri/meno my sweat smelled a bit different than usual. It did pass though.

Nectarinesarenice · 05/07/2024 13:52

No it’s not or it certainly doesnt have to be like that - tell her to eat well, exercise and get more sleep! Oh and reduce stress - haha!

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 05/07/2024 13:51

It depends. Lots of women have an early perimenopause.
Not sure why this is in aibu, but what age was your mum? Or do you have older sisters? That can be useful as a rough guide to when to expect it.

Awkwardmedicalquestions · 05/07/2024 13:51

It’s very individual. What has happened to your friend is not definitely going to happen to you, or when you are 40. You might have a whole range of different symptoms and they don’t come on till you’re 50.

FuzzyStripes · 05/07/2024 13:51

Peri menopause usually starts around a decade before the menopause and her symptoms are completely normal for some people and never experienced at all by others. Some people don’t have any symptoms at all and some start younger than 40. There is no normal with the menopause.

Penguinfeet24 · 05/07/2024 13:51

I'm nearly 46 and I can't remember as much as I used to but that's because I am stretched in every direction. Make up still sits fine - its my perception of how 'perfect' it should look that's been influenced (negatively) by social media. Smelling - no, not a bit of it. Doesn't sound normal to me.

Moier · 05/07/2024 13:50

I hit menopause age 38 due to hysterectomy. Went onto HRT and l was the best I've ever been.
Skin/ hair/ nails were greatly improved.
My libido went through the roof.
I was at my happiest .. HRT was my miracle.

19lottie82 · 05/07/2024 13:50

That seems quite early, but obviously it does happen. I’m 42 and haven’t experienced any symptoms. Most of my older friends seem to start getting them in their late 40s / early 50s.

Iloveyoubut · 05/07/2024 13:50

Not in my experience, I’m just out of my 40’s and none of this occurred for me, it was my best decade actually.

lndnbrdge91 · 05/07/2024 13:48

It's not been my experience and I'm a few years into my 40s

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