To ask: at what age did your peri/menopause symptoms peak?

My symptoms started in my early 40’s, have always been a slave to my hormones.
pms, postnatal was hard (probably depression but not diagnosed) so I was dreading menopause.
was proactive and tried to get ahead of it, went on hrt at 45 added testosterone at 49.
It’s been a rollercoaster because my own hormones are at play also. Am still quite up & down,50 now and not as settled as I had hoped, I am am looking forward to the day my own hormones stop and I can solely rely on the patch and progesterone.

*had a uterine ablation so don’t get periods

55 years - just periods stopped - hair got thin! Not on any medication - just take a multivitamin 57 now -

Boots didn't require a hormone test from me to get standard hrt, I just had to fill out a very lengthy and through questionnaire that got reviewed by a GP. I had already had a health check at my own GP, including a general blood test for cholesterol, plus blood pressure, weight, etc. So I knew I was healthy. I just needed hrt, but they were making me jump through all these hoops, and my symptoms were so bad i just simply couldn't wait another 4 weeks to go back and get another appointment! Anyway, I'll be going back to my own GP for a repeat prescription, using Boots was just a necessity at the time.

Boots do have a blood test for testosterone levels though, and can prescribe testogel for women and men, which is useful to know.

i’m in Scotland. Didn’t know boots did tests? Have looked into private clinics it new gp (waiting on records transferring) won’t take my seriously,

Those of you on testosterone, did you get this prescribed via NHS? And did they do a blood test to check your levels?

43/44, so 6 or 7 years post menopause. The insomnia had reached the point where I woke from a crappy sleep between 2-3 am several nights a week and before 4 am the rest of the week. Brain fog was so bad I was losing words mid sentence, didn't feel any joy or care about anything, was so stiff I couldn't get stuff of bottom shelf in shops and joints painful. Once I finally realised this was all hormone related I asked for hrt and life is so much better

52/53
Now 55 and periods becoming irregular and benefits of hrt are steady - feel quite cheerful, joints hurt less, on top of vitamin/mineral deficiencies and other minor health niggles.

@growsomeballswomanI’ve had these. Usually if I’m overly tired. Do you think it’s definitely menopause related?

I’m 46, the last year my periods have been all over the place , 17 days , 40 days , 28 , currently the longest and on cycle day 72 ! No real symptoms otherwise though, waking up sweating a couple of times at night and slight brain fog but I’m guessing I haven’t peaked yet and there’s worse to come 🙄

Are you in the uk? When my GP was taking too long to sort out hrt I went to Boots online and got 3months oestrogen gel and progesterone pills prescribed to me in 3 days flat.

I cannot resist joining these threads as my peri intrigue increases as I soldier through.

I m 46, still getting periods, but erratically .

I would say I ve been actively experiencing perimenopause for 3 years, and even before then had some early indicators. Hormonal cold sores for the last 6 years.

I Went 5 months without a bleed last summer, then 3 months with monthly(ish) periods, since the New Year it's been erratic. Nothing in April, On 16 th May I got a very light period, only lasted 2 or 3 days. However on the 4th June I couldn't sleep at all, the next day I had a throbbing headache, underarm pain, frizzy hair, sore nostrils, sore throat, spots, chin hairs. 6th June, the period arrived, it was incredibly light but the pms was unreal. It s as if my body had to surge to actually shed the very thin lining. I was achey, my nostrils were sooo painful, my underarm sooo tender, every hair on my body surged and sprung out and every minor blocked pore turned into a pimple. 🤣🤣😅, what a beauty. I m hoping this is the peak.

I don't get hot flushes, I get cold flushes.

Thankfully I work from home, and can hide under a blanket on the couch and sip tea for large chunks of the day.

I’m 35 and I’m dreading what’s around the corner. 😭

Started at 41 and had terrible rage, night sweats, insomnia, brain fog. Worked full time shifts for emergency services with 3 children aged 5, 3 and 18 months. It was horrific. Went on HRT as I had bloods done which helped show my hormone levels. I’ve had my HRT doubled and finally feel back to normal as an exhausted mummy as opposed to walking zombie!! I’m 43 now!

Started at 46 and didn't know what was happening. Anxiety, rage, gum disease, tingling fingers. More rage. Panic attacks.

Had menopause at 52. Started yo feel so flat and joyless in addition to everything else. Cracked and got HRT at 54.

Symptoms increased- vaginal atrophy, no libido, no organisation, loss of balance. Increased HRT to max dose at 56, now fine.

Worst thing ever for me. Just horrendous.

I am 53 soon, some of the symptoms have improved in the last six months (poor sleep, itchy skin, weak bladder, less pain and symptoms around ovulation (though I miss the sudden confidence mid cycle) , sex drive has very slightly returned but not my interest in men I find them mainly annoying and tiresome

My motivation has improved slightly but what is worse is the sudden feelings of doom that will just engulf me

periods are not as regular and not heavy not I have the coil

Can't wait for it all to be over

I'm 52. For me peri started about 5 years ago:
rage
frizzy hair
dry skin
dry eyes
reflux
painful sex
zero libido
complete lack of interest in anything (I especially have a complete lack of motivation at work)
feeling freezing cold all the time

I am on HRT: 4 pumps of gel, progesterone, testosterone, vagifem.

I still have most of the above symptoms even with HRT but the rage has stopped. My testosterone levels are low even on testogel.

I haven't had a period for a year, but that is because I went on continuous progrsterone (on advice of menopause specialist). Before that they were still regular as clockwork but shorter/ lighter. So I don't know if I am actually menopausal yet or not. But I'd say symptoms are peaking now (at least I hope they are not going to get worse). It's been bad for about 18 months now. I really hope this is not it forever.

My periods stopped at 47. All my symptoms stopped about 6 months after my last period. They were probably at their worst for the two years leading up to that when my periods became very erratic.

My periods stopped at 56. Not really aware of any other symptoms.

I'm 55 almost 56 and one year post menopausal, apart from some hot flushes I never had symptoms. My periods remained light and pain free up to the day they stopped, I have no issues sleeping and still feel very much like myself (I have friends who say they feel like they lost themselves after menopause).

Edit. I did get some bad acne but Retinol sorted it out.

I’m 40 and for a couple of years have noticed slight changes to my cycle but full on i think i’m now in the middle of “early perimenopause. Have had a hospital doctor agree but can’t get a gp to take me seriously because of my age. Considering going private if they don’t by next year as i can’t go 10 years or so of this.

i have
dry skin
itchy skin
sensitive skin / rashes
sports (more than when i was a teen)
dry eyes
greasy hair
hair falling out
hay fever (never suffered when i was younger)
mood swings - irritability
constantly feeling drained (i’m anaemic)
anxiety & heart palpatations
night sweats / sweating and hot flushes in general
headaches
very achey breasts
zero sex drive
brain fog / forgetfulness
weight gain / can’t shift it
constant bloating and gassiness / farting
more noticeabley irregualr periods (last couple 22 days then 29 days)
heavier periods lasting 8/9 days as opposed to 4/5

dr says i’m “too young” and won’t consider hrt or “possible perimenopause diagnosis” until i’m 45 & recommended i speak to mental health nurse and go on the pill 🤯 Have changed gp practice recently & hoping a new doctor alongside that hospital letter stating their opinion is i’m perimenopausal (it was at breast clinic) will help them take me more seriously as i feel like i’m goinf mad. They made me feel like i’m exaggerating things as i’m “too young” don’t know anyone else my age suffering and my mum and aunt were late 40s before any signs but i started my periods at 10 & they were later.

please tell me i’m not going nuts!

I think I've been quite lucky, as symptoms haven't been too horrendous, BUT....I am 56 in a few months and I am still having periods, which feels ridiculous! Thought I felt period pains this morning - checked my log to see when my last one was - 9th May, so it's bang on time. Uurgh. I don't take anything, except collagen for joint pain.

Not many symptoms at all - just a gradual decline of periods which disappeared about age 51.

HRT can be a game changer. I went to a specialist menopause GP and it was money well spent. Still on it a decade later. Latest research suggests protection from brain degeneration. It's not just about getting rid of hot flushes.

It peaked at some point (48 and I went on HRT), it did not keep getting worse for me.