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Original poster

Anyone been through Early Menopause (pre 40)

12 replies

Folf · 04/03/2019 21:13

(this is a repost, sorry but had no response in the menopause topic)

I've been having issues for a while. i'm 37 (38 in a couple of months) and I've been putting it down to stress, and had my thyroid checked several times (normal)

I was talking to my mom today and she told me she thinks it may be perimenopause as she started at the same age and was done/dusted by 42.

Obviously I know its VERY early, but I went and looked it up and reading off the symptoms was a massive tick list of eye-opening.

How do I approach this with my GP without being fobbed off, and has anyone else been through this at my age?

OP posts:
Nnnnnineteen · 04/03/2019 21:25

Similar to me and my mum. She was done by 40. I went to the go mid 30s for something I thought was not a pm issue and he gave a clinical diagnosis of pm based on symptoms plus other things I hadn't factored in. Now 9 years down the line and just cracking on with it. Is there any reason you need to see the GP?

Original poster
Folf · 04/03/2019 21:33

all the medical advice says that pre-40 you ought to consult your gp.

OP posts:
Nnnnnineteen · 04/03/2019 21:42

Fair enough. I didn't feel the need to as I wasn't in the market for more children and didn't want medical intervention. If you give a GP your family history, I would hope they take your concerns seriously.

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General health Menopause Women's health
KickBishopBrennanUpTheArse · 04/03/2019 21:56

I had menopause at 36. I first had symptoms at 29 but got fobbed off at that point. Yes you need to see your gp. Mainly to confirm that is what is causing your symptoms but also to discuss HRT if your symptoms are causing problems.

It is more important for younger women and I was advised that the younger you are the more the benefits outweigh the risks. Particularly risks of osteoporosis. Obviously it isn't suitable for everyone but I swear by it. I'll stay on it as long as I can.

It's hard when you go through menopause early because you have to remember it's a timing issue not a medical problem. I was knocked sideways when I found out. Partly because I wanted another baby and partly because I felt like I'd aged 20 years overnight and my life was over. The gp clearly thought I was just ahead of the curve!

Nine years on I'm so glad it's over and done with. My life definitely wasn't over and once I'd got used to the idea (and got on hrt) my mood improved and I started to focus on my health and fitness more.

Good luck Flowers

Original poster
Folf · 04/03/2019 22:01

im over the kids side of it, done and not wanting any more at all and quite happy if the end of my periods are in sight (I hate them)

Its more the osteoporosis issue im concerned about, i'm already prone to arthritis and getting some pains in my joints in my hands.

OP posts:
KickBishopBrennanUpTheArse · 04/03/2019 22:10

In that case talk to your gp about HRT and maybe get a bone scan if they'll agree to it.

I was advised that high impact sports e.g. running are the best thing for bone strength. Luckily I was already a runner so no problem for me.

It might be worth asking them to check your vitamin d level while you're there.

ideasofmarch · 04/03/2019 22:22

Yes, I had symptoms from about 37, and it was confirmed about 18 months later by a hospital gynaecologist. Go to your gp and tell them that your mum had a premature menopause, and you think you might be too. Early menopause is inherited, so they will take you seriously and will probably arrange for blood tests etc to check your hormone levels.

I had a bone scan at 40 - it is important, as there is an increased risk of osteoporosis.

gower4 · 04/03/2019 23:11

I'm starting to get mild joint pains as well. I'm 42. Got doctor's appointment soon. Do you think it's likely to be perimenopause? I don't really know my family history as my grandmother and mother had hysterectomies at about 45.

gower4 · 05/03/2019 12:04

Bumping

Geekster1963 · 05/03/2019 13:44

I was older than you as I was just 41 when I'd missed four periods in a row so went to the GP. They said it was probably just stress or something (I wasn't stressed), but did blood tests anyway which I had repeated after two weeks and was referred to an endocrinologist as it showed I was in early menopause. The referral was more to make sure there was nothing else going on with other hormones (there wasn't).

I started on HRT in January four years ago when I was 42 and a half as the symptoms were awful. But they actually said that I should be on it to protect my heart and bones because they were hormones I should be naturally having at my age. They said the risks and side effects were very low at that age, I also had a bone scan.

So I think you should see your GP.

lk2725 · 30/12/2021 11:13

I wonder, when did you start menstruating?

Kelt84 · 02/01/2022 14:02

Hiya just wondering how you got on? I'm 37 and for the past few months my periods have been coming late this month 6 days and still nothing. I'm having really bad mood swings, hot flushes especially at night which is interrupting my sleep my mum started early about 45 so I'm just wondering if it's the start for me. Thanks

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