how do you know when its perimenopause? I'm 40

[1980funtimes]

I'm 40 years old but over the last few months my periods have become a lot more spaced out. It used to be 28days more or less though I have been on the pill, then coil, then pregnant but for the last couple of years periods have been more or less regular. But now I can go five weeks without one and they are now quite short Obviously, this year has been super stressful etc and I know that stress can affect your cicle but still.

We're trying to another baby so it's a bit upsetting to think that this might be it. I know we're lucky to already have the DC we have etc. But how did you know you entered perimenopause? At what age?? And are there any tests you can do?? Feeling a bit upset at it all

I was late thirties when my periods started going all over the place. I generally missed a period or two, had terrible pmt which I had never had before, very heavy flow which had never happened before. I had a blood test and was told that I was pre menopausal, my chances of getting pregnant was zilch. That was okay, I didn't want anymore kids. Three years on I got pregnant!

I'm wondering about this. I'm 47 and haven't had a period at all for about 7/8 months and before then, they were so light they were barely there for a couple of years.

I was having night sweats and insomnia that's eased somewhat over the last couple of months and now I'm wondering if that's it and I'm fully past it, or is it all going to come back again and the last few years have been the 'peri' bit.

I've two unread books about the menopause on my kindle, I really need to get round to reading them.

Interesting to hear other people's experiences. I honestly didn't think that I'd have to worry about this for a few years yet but perhaps I do. @saracorona thats great to hear. Most of my friends are a little bit younger than me and am sure havent even thought about it. As I hadnt if we were not trying for another bay. Such a confusing time.

From what I understand, perimenopause is the part when you’ve not yet gone more than 12 months without a period (or a little more if you’re younger than the norm - sorry, can’t remember exactly), after which you’ve reached menopause. During this time periods become irregular and different to what you normally experience, plus a host of other “interesting” symptoms such as brain fog, hot flushes, insomnia, headaches. I'm going through it at the moment and get lots of headaches and my legs ache for no apparent reason. Oh, and itchy skin 🙄

RE whether there’s a blood test you can have, some comments I’ve read on support groups have said that they aren’t reliable as our hormones fluctuate normally so hard to tell on any particular day what it means. Best to contact the GP and discuss with them though.

1980, I meant to add, you're definitely not too young to be going through it I'm afraid 🙁 According to Bupa "Most women in the UK reach the menopause between 45 and 55, with the average age being 51", but there are women younger than 45 in the FB group I'm in.

Have your FSH tested - it's true what a pp said it can fluctuate but if you are perimenopausal the reading even if it fluctuates would be high enough for you to get a good idea. You FSH wouldn't fluctuate in between normal and perimenopausal readings unless you were truly on the border and if your readings were on the border it would be likely that you were at least getting close to perimenopause. You can still conceive though if you are still ovulating - you just need to catch the right egg. At your age many will be chromosomally abnormal, but not all of them. Good luck!

I’m exactly the same as @BarbaraofSeville, no period since May 20, light/sporadic for a couple of years before that. I’m wondering if this is it. I had some hot flushes a while back, but started taking magnesium ok and they’ve practically disappeared. I have brain fog but I’m not feeling anymore emotional than previous (I was always led to believe Menopause would come with heightened emotions?!)

Oh, forgot to add that I’m 46.

did anyone get their hormones tested? Is that a thing?? Not sure if its covid or having toddlers but I have literally not expected this so soon

My twin sister is in perimenopause and was confirmed with a blood test at 40. I'm 45 and have only just been confirmed as in perimenopause, my blood tests were inconclusive but Dr said pointing in the right direction and given I have all the other symptoms and had them for about 18 months he was happy for me to trial hrt. Must admit 1 period in 5 months is luxury, I certainly won't miss those when they finally stop.

@1980funtimes

did anyone get their hormones tested? Is that a thing?? Not sure if its covid or having toddlers but I have literally not expected this so soon

I have but only because we are trying for another baby and I'm over 40 so I just wanted to know if we were wasting our time or not, not because I have had any symptoms. I just asked my GP and they arranged a blood test.

Have you asked, or are you able, to ask your mum when she went through the menopause, OP? If she was early, it's more likely you could be early too.

My peri started exactly like yours, and I was 40, too. Many other symptoms started shortly after. Blood tests are not used to diagnose peri, your symptoms are. I always want to scream when I see other women say, "You're only in your late thirties/early forties, that's far too young for peri", because it simply is not true. Peri can last for more than a decade before full menopause.

i.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/113666670/perimenopause-lead-up-to-menopause-very-uncomfortable-and-poorly-understood

@Phillipa12 can I ask why you chose to go on hrt? I feel fine (ish), but often worry if I should investigate that option as I’m “only” 46.

I would say that my symptoms of menopause was well over ten years. I looked at the link above and had most of the symptoms and more. I was utterly miserable and had zero in support from the NHS. I couldn't have HRT because of family history of breast cancer. I still have night sweats and severe insomnia twenty years on.

Two things I noticed during this time which I found really interesting. My periods were all over the place and I often would miss a couple of months which seemed to increase PMT massively. My daughter returned home for a few months and my periods synced with her. It was a huge relief in terms of lessening symptoms. As soon as she left, it came back with a vengeance. I started to grow a variety of chin hairs, different colors and textures and finally my libido was through the roof. I often felt like a stereo typical teenager and lusted after all sorts of men that before I wouldn't look at twice. I think my last period was more than 15 years ago. My libido has barely lessened, which is apparently linked to my hairy chin. It was explained to me by an ex who said it was to do with testosterone. My sister had no symptoms, her periods were sporadic and light, it lasted for about a year and that was it. She stopped having sex years before, which was more to do with having a crap husband than any else.

@BarbaraofSeville

I'm wondering about this. I'm 47 and haven't had a period at all for about 7/8 months and before then, they were so light they were barely there for a couple of years.

I was having night sweats and insomnia that's eased somewhat over the last couple of months and now I'm wondering if that's it and I'm fully past it, or is it all going to come back again and the last few years have been the 'peri' bit.

I've two unread books about the menopause on my kindle, I really need to get round to reading them.

It can all be quite unpredictable and doesn't always follow a linear path. A 'last hurrah' period is very common. Hormones can go nuts. Some women sail through it but they're the lucky few. My personal experience has been that symptoms go on for years.

I'm pretty sure I'm in peri; my mum's lasted years so I wouldn't be that surprised. I'm late 30s and for the last 18 months or so I have experienced what @saracorona mentions. Plus headaches and a few other odd things. I'm not bothered about the fertility aspect at all but I would kind of like a plan for bone health and so on, because I have Crohn's and don't absorb nutrients very well. I don't think it's unduly early in your later 30s either.

If people have HRT what happens when they stop taking it?

@Ikora

If people have HRT what happens when they stop taking it?

All the symptoms arrive.

Do you know your family history? My mother, and then myself and my sisters all went through menopause in late 30s and very early 40s. You can be peri menopausal for many years before full menopause

really interesting to hewr ither people's experiences.unfortunately, i do not know my family history for various reasons.my sister is too young and unfortunately, am assuming that DGM and DM passed away before reaching theirs.

might have a chat with my GP

I wasn't aware at the time but I suspect I did have it in my forties. I didn't get hot flushes, just general sweatiness -not necessarily at night either. Plus brain fog -not great when you are working!

I can't say about lack of sleep though because I have an over active bladder in any case. I do know my hair is thinner though. Mind you it is/was quite thick and so far ok!

I am now in my 60's and not had periods for a while.