I don't understand perimenopause.

[Nobbynobbsknob]

I think that I might be perimenopausal but not sure. Still pretty regular but pre menstrual symptoms are getting worse and worse. Nightmares, anxiety, palpitations and total exhaustion. Plus 2 stone has just appeared from nowhere. Am mid 40's so the right age but don't know anything about the menopause.

I know that I could look this stuff up online but my brain just isn't working properly and so I'm hoping that mumsnet can answer some questions.

Basically what are the best approaches to helping with perimenopause? Is hrt good and something I should be asking for /on?
Does it sound like perimenopause or could it be something else?

Life is good and I'm pretty happy generally so it's not depression and diet /job/ activity levels aren't brilliant but not awful.

What should I be doing?

I am in a similar boat. My GP has run some blood tests, I have had my copper coil removed (didn't want anything in my uterus to complicate matters so removed the even though I was encouraged not to). Now I have started high strength evening primrose tablets everyday and I have to admit it's making a difference. Where I used to wake up at 3am and like awake for hours, now I don't wake up since starting these tablets. Seems like a coincidence but it's working. A few simple remedies before reaching for HRT I guess. Not sure how long this will work before I need the big stuff.

I started with EPO but after a few months it became less effective. The went onto SFO and have been in it for almost a year (I think) and it does really work. I take 1 a day and then 2 as soon as I get any monthly boob pain. Don't get me wrong it doesn't get rid completely but makes the pain a lot more bearable. Sometimes I'm still wanting to slam them in a car door.....🙄

@Dinosaur Diana tried to quote you but it didn't work!

@DinosaurDiana. Bloody hell this is hard work. Hate the android app. 😡

I'm in the denial phase and hoping I can just carry on.....
I suspect it's going to bite my sorry arse very soon.
Am knackered, get all sorts of sporting niggles I never used to get, THE most gross night sweats, increasing PMT symptoms (never really had them before), 21 day cycles.

If I get 'thickening of the waist' I will cry.

HRT changed my life! I went on it after the menopause and by the time I did so I was a mess. I couldnt think straight, I had awful night sweats (changing me and the bed three times a night), I was down in the dumps, very little interest in anything.

I was put on tablets only for a bit which helped but the game changer was tablets and the gel. Do go to your doctor and insist on trying it.

The joint pain for me is the worst. I'm.on HRT which manages most of my symptoms apart from the poor sleep and joint pain. I can cope with the poor sleep, but waking with aching joints several times a night is crucyfing me
Any recommendations?

@Doghead

The joint pain for me is the worst. I'm.on HRT which manages most of my symptoms apart from the poor sleep and joint pain. I can cope with the poor sleep, but waking with aching joints several times a night is crucyfing me Any recommendations?

It's horrific, isn't it? Another thing that vanishes with menopause but is agonising during peri.

Taking vitamin supplements specifically for women going through menopause makes a difference. I took up yoga and took lots of supplements. I found sleeping with a pillow between my legs or under my feet to ease the pressure on my hip and knee joints helped.

I'm reading this and have so many symptoms and the doctor gave me antidepressants. Now I'm wondering if I should be on HRT instead?

@poorbuthappy

I started with EPO but after a few months it became less effective. The went onto SFO and have been in it for almost a year (I think) and it does really work. I take 1 a day and then 2 as soon as I get any monthly boob pain. Don't get me wrong it doesn't get rid completely but makes the pain a lot more bearable. Sometimes I'm still wanting to slam them in a car door.....🙄

I’ve seen it, thanks !

Thanks Cowbells. I'm taking menopace and have started doing yoga a couple of times a week. I'll try using a pillow between the legs.

I'm under an immense amount of stress at work at the moment so I guess that doesn't help.

Has anyone found that Menopace affected their thyroxine levels ?

I've been sat here thinking I've got a lot of these symptoms. I'm 38, but my DM was through the menopause before 45 after 10+ years of symptoms.

Night sweats, aching joints - knees, ankles, wrists and thumbs are particularly painful, PMT and such sore, swollen boobs that I've been to the breast clinic in the last few months. And despite never having really regular periods, they are getting closer together. 21 days last cycle .
In the summer holidays I'll book an appointment.

Mum has quite severe osteoporosis and is only in her late 60s. The consultant has said that this can be the case if you go through menopause early.

DinosApple I hope you get a good Doc who doesn't fob you off due to age.

I've always had horrendous periods, but they are getting shorter slowly. Gone from 7 days every 28/29 days to 5 days every 25 days.

I haven't been filled with hope from recent meetings with Doc. Went about mid cycle bleeding (also bleeding occasionally after sex and exercise), pelvic, breast and hip pain. Was told hip pain was unrelated and a completely different matter. I have a tiny polyp which has been blamed for the bleeding. There is no way 3 days of intense bleeding with clots has come from a polyp. Had one incredibly sore breast before the bleeding too (also apparently unrelated).

Pretty sure she'd laugh at me if I suggested peri. This is a Doc who is supposed to specialise in women's health.

@DinosApple

I've been sat here thinking I've got a lot of these symptoms. I'm 38, but my DM was through the menopause before 45 after 10+ years of symptoms.

Night sweats, aching joints - knees, ankles, wrists and thumbs are particularly painful, PMT and such sore, swollen boobs that I've been to the breast clinic in the last few months. And despite never having really regular periods, they are getting closer together. 21 days last cycle .
In the summer holidays I'll book an appointment.

Mum has quite severe osteoporosis and is only in her late 60s. The consultant has said that this can be the case if you go through menopause early.

Start weightlifting now. Seriously - it increases bone density. May help delay the impact.

@Ridiculousradish

DinosApple I hope you get a good Doc who doesn't fob you off due to age.

I've always had horrendous periods, but they are getting shorter slowly. Gone from 7 days every 28/29 days to 5 days every 25 days.

I haven't been filled with hope from recent meetings with Doc. Went about mid cycle bleeding (also bleeding occasionally after sex and exercise), pelvic, breast and hip pain. Was told hip pain was unrelated and a completely different matter. I have a tiny polyp which has been blamed for the bleeding. There is no way 3 days of intense bleeding with clots has come from a polyp. Had one incredibly sore breast before the bleeding too (also apparently unrelated).

Pretty sure she'd laugh at me if I suggested peri. This is a Doc who is supposed to specialise in women's health.

I've had lots of these symptoms (not all)

I'd say it's perimenopause.

Try to push for a menopause specialist if you can.

If you can afford it have at least one private appointment - but mine cost 300 so appreciate it's not feasible for everyone.

What it did for me was to clarify things and help me know what to ask for.

I can't afford more so have asked to be referred to NHS clinic but at least I can be more focused now.

Good luck!

@41sunnydays

I'm reading this and have so many symptoms and the doctor gave me antidepressants. Now I'm wondering if I should be on HRT instead?

Yes, I was prescribed AD's when it should have been hrt.