To think perimenopause is an overused buzzword?

The average age of menopause is between 45 and 55. Perimenopause can occur for a number of years before this, up to a decade. A decent number of women will be in perimenopause by late 30s.

Like anything related to women's health it is more than likely not fully understood.

Hello @Furning , symptoms of perimenopause can start in the 30s. HTH

Average age of menopause is 51, and peri starts up to 10 years before that. In my early 40s, ten years ago, I developed horrific anxiety to the point where I didn’t leave the house for 3 years. I also had horrendous long, heavy periods. Not one doctor ever suggested it could be menopause related. When I was 44 I had a full hysterectomy and went into menopause overnight. The anxiety disappeared instantly, it was miraculous.

Even though ‘Perimenopause’ is overused as an excuse for everything, I think it’s positive that women are far more educated about menopause now. I only wish I’d known that my problems were hormonal. I wasn’t losing my mind, or weak.

I think we used to just talk about menopause, which is when your periods stop. But now we know there is around a decade before that when your hormones rollercoaster up and down before they go poof. I dont know anyone using it as a buzz word, but then I'm not on social media. I found out I could be in perimenopause after I had a hot flush which felt like it travelled from my head to my toes and left me soaked in sweat. I was waking in the morning soaking wet, and having horrible itchy skin. I went to the doctor who put me on a low dose of HRT and the hot flashes stopped. I was 40 when this started. I know women who didnt have any symptoms until their 50s. Its just one of those things where people have a wide variety of experiences.

I’ve never heard of this connection, that’s really interesting, thanks!

The menopause is a 24 hour length of time, so there's never been much to say about it really. Peri and post menopause are years and decades long so along time to be suffering and miserable if having symptoms in either stage

How horrendous, I’m sorry to hear that.

Yes, I’ve been to numerous sorties and found a number of female drs were less understanding than men.

I even had one who said I was not in perimenopause, but when I went about another issue, she said it must be down to peri…what? WHAT?!

My point is that often women aren’t listened to, certainly not in my case and clearly with other women on this thread too.

I’d suggest that it’s not so uncommon for women to start peri in their 30s, but actually it’s more uncommon for women to be listened to by the medical professionals who should be aware of the symptoms of peri.

I agree. One friend seems to have dragged out that excuse for everything (allergies, feeling hot, feeling cold, forgetfulness, anxiety, putting on weight, tiredness, sleeplessness...) for over 10 years - and probably will for many years to come.

They did not remove my ovaries. So therefore I could not possibly be in menopause.

I know. I was angry once I figured it out. Two of the GPs who prescribed the antidepressants (which did fuck all) were middle aged women.

You’re kidding me! You’ve had a hysterectomy and they didn’t connect the blindingly obvious dots?!?! Oh my, you poor thing! And when they ignore us, it increases the rage (at least in my case, ha!)

Mounjaro sorted my shoulders out in a way that HRT didn't. My understanding is that it helps a lot with chronic inflammation.

Well yes, clearly.

It’s not a new buzz word, it is a word which describes the time leading up to periods eventually stopping. There is now more understanding of the changes that happen (perimenopause) to women that can start in the 30s, I think it’s best not to minimise it.

Unless you are a GP and have access to the blood records and their symptoms, I’m not sure you can say that none of these women are experiencing perimenopausal symptoms

And the dry eyes...

I think we're just allowed to talk about it now so it's pouring out if the woodwork. Peri has wrecked my life so it's nice to know whats going on.

Yes, the ears, that’s awful!! I’ve also had a frozen shoulder.

I think it is a GOOD thing that women's heath topics are getting more attention. I agree that some women are weirdly keen to join that club and attribute every symptom they have to 'perimenopause' from the age of 35 onwards (aka everyone in my book club).

I am 49 and besides irregular periods I haven't experienced many symptoms yet luckily, I am also glad I haven't thought I was in peri for the last 15 years. I know older friends who didn't get any big symptoms until they were in menopause around 55. So I am well aware I may get major symptoms yet.

Knowledge is good but part of that knowledge is realizing MOST women do not go into perimenopause until their mid 40s or later. Yes SOME do but that is unusual.

Welp, this was me at 35 so yes, its a thing!

I hear you.

I had such an awful time, I had had a hysterectomy so it should have been top of their list to consider for a woman aged 48 yet I still was prescribed antidepressants (twice) and folic acid (wtf?). It was a total battle and I was so unwell and unhappy. Women who "sail through" should have the common decency to realise their experience is not universal.

Wait till the itchy skin affects inside your ears, now that is an invisible form of torture!!

And when the drop in oestrogen thins any obstetric scars you have from birthing tears!