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Original poster

Actual Perimenopause Symptoms and Information

106 replies

PocketPeanuts · 31/08/2021 07:12

I'm 34 and I strongly suspect I've started the perimenopause. I have a GP phone appointment this week to discuss it. I'd like to ask for one of those hormone tests to see if it does seem likely that's what's happening (I read that they're useless once you get to 40ish as hormones will be changing/reducing etc. by then anyway so now seems like the ideal time) and then I'd like to discuss the possibility of HRT if it's appropriate.

However, having spoken to other women (in the area who will have gone to the same GP practice), I suspect the GP will try to brush me off by saying I'm too young to be going through it etc. so I want to be armed with as much information as possible. Except, many of the 'official' pages seem to miss a tonne of symptoms I've seen discussed on MN.

The main thing I'm getting is hot flushes/night sweats (I even remarked on how hot it was in a dream about Buffy the Vampire Slayer I had last night as I was obviously in the middle of a hot flush!). I also feel like I'm emotionally very dysregulated and I'm getting upset very easily (feels like being pregnant again - I suspect I could watch someone read out their shopping list and if some sad music was played over the top I'd be bloody sobbing). I've had a few headaches recently, which I didn't realise was a symptom until I looked it up. I also had a UTI a little while back out of the blue and have since found out that can be a sign!

I'm on the mini pill so don't get regular periods anyway (tend to get nothing for a while and then some spotting now and again with a heavier bleed every few months) and between hormonal contraception, pregnancy and breastfeeding I haven't had a 'proper' period/let my cycle do its thing for well over a decade so I have no idea what's happening there.

So, what else should I be looking out for? What else can I mention? And what sort of excuses should I expect from the GP (I tend to find if they can't just prescribe antibiotics or antidepressants they don't want to know - I'm also autistic so have problems being taken seriously as I don't always display the emotions/pain responses etc. others expect)?

I just feel a lot of the pages online miss a load of information and think MN is a good place to get some real experiences and maybe some advice from women who have been successful being taken seriously.

OP posts:
HateJudgmentalPeople · 03/09/2021 09:51

To add: the doc is meant to be off until 14th September but as they are short staffed then she has came in today and she usually has fingers crossed so I hope to God she just hears my symptoms and gives me HRT, I just want to feel normal again!

HateJudgmentalPeople · 03/09/2021 09:52

I mean I have my fingers crossed! Grin not the doc haha

HemanOrSheRa · 03/09/2021 11:15

This site is excellent for perimeno/meno info. The Balance App linked on the site is great. You can track your symptoms, there are lots of articles about HRT etc. And a forum where you can read other women's stories.

www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Menopause Women's health
HateJudgmentalPeople · 03/09/2021 12:32

Just got off the phone with the doctor and I am getting patches only because I’m just 40, she gave me the spiel about not giving me the meds because of my age, this still isn’t right is it?

Pokhora · 03/09/2021 13:51

It might be worthwhile checking if you are a Fragile x carrier. One in 150 people are and a key symptom is FXPOI which causes early menopause. It also presents as mild autism in some females. It can be checked through a blood test.

HateJudgmentalPeople · 03/09/2021 13:53

@Pokhora

It might be worthwhile checking if you are a Fragile x carrier. One in 150 people are and a key symptom is FXPOI which causes early menopause. It also presents as mild autism in some females. It can be checked through a blood test.
It seems like the 30s is quite common to get the peri in, I know a few woman aged just 39 that are going through it too and then the ladies here on MN so it’s not all that unusual.
Wombat96 · 03/09/2021 13:59

ND too, so very sensitive to just about everything.

Went to see about menopausal symptoms but tests found a dodgy thyroid, so definitely worth a check.

Now trying to get HRT. Doctor said no problem but arranging is proving very difficult, due to the GP admin being terrible. 🙄

Not helping with rage! 😁

LadyGAgain · 03/09/2021 14:12

I haven't read it all but a dear friend has just turned 42. She is finally on HRT. She has suffered for 7 years with all the classic symptoms. She left her job. She was prescribed anti depressants. All incorrectly. Many GP's really don't understand women's health. And your age is just an indicator. Don't be fobbed off. You know you. Good luck.

HemanOrSheRa · 03/09/2021 14:12

@HateJudgmentalPeople

Just got off the phone with the doctor and I am getting patches only because I’m just 40, she gave me the spiel about not giving me the meds because of my age, this still isn’t right is it?
No. As far as I'm aware, if you haven't had a hysterectomy or have a coil, you need to take progesterone alongside the oestrogen patch. This keeps the lining of the womb thin. Oestrogen alone can cause it to thicken.
HateJudgmentalPeople · 03/09/2021 14:49

I thought this, I haven’t had a hysterectomy and this was also the doctor who deals with the menopause that decided I should only get the patches, I can only try the patches and then I’m going to go private to be honest.

HateJudgmentalPeople · 03/09/2021 14:49

Nor have I ever had a coil.

HemanOrSheRa · 03/09/2021 15:41

@HateJudgmentalPeople

I thought this, I haven’t had a hysterectomy and this was also the doctor who deals with the menopause that decided I should only get the patches, I can only try the patches and then I’m going to go private to be honest.
Honestly, it's so bloody difficult isn't it? I'm 49 and started to struggle about 6 years ago. Had blood tests, which came back ok, of course! About 2 years ago my sister and I were advised against HRT after having our family history assessed. But I am really struggling now, not sure how much longer I want to feel like I do if HRT will ease symptoms and make life easier to be honest! I've been doing quite a bit of reading around HRT and it seems there isn't the raised risk of breast cancer as once was thought. So I'm arming myself with as much info as I can before I approach my GP. Frankly, I'm not in the mood to be pissed around!
HemanOrSheRa · 03/09/2021 15:45

There is some info here about how HRT should be prescribed:

www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/professionals/ten-tips-for-prescribing-hrt-remotely

I recommend the Balance App. You can track your symptoms on it so if you are going private you will get the best out of your consultation.

3Br1tnee · 03/09/2021 20:24

Why are they so stingy with HRT? They dish out antibiotics and antidepressants like there's no tomorrow, so why is it so hard to get this?

Original poster
PocketPeanuts · 04/09/2021 07:29

@HateJudgmentalPeople

OP I just wanted to give you an update like you asked, so doc just called me and surprise surprise my bloods came back normal again and it was the same bloody blood test! Grr,,.she is going to speak to the doc who is head of the menopause stuff at the surgery and then if she says it’s okay she is going to start me on HRT! God almighty why do they keep doing this pointless blood test?! She is going to call me back later today so fingers crossed but if they say no then I am putting in a complaint about it.
Ah, for fuck's sake!! How frustrating! I'm so sorry they have been utterly incompetent - I can imagine how pissed off you must be!

And, they didn't mention anything about time of day for bloods whatsoever!! Luckily, due to fitting it around my work, I went for the earliest slot so as it happens it will be morning time when I get it done.

I'm not sure if my surgery is likely to have any sort of specialist in menopause. We're not talking a big city GP surgery - it's a Scottish village in the NE.

OP posts:
Original poster
PocketPeanuts · 04/09/2021 07:33

[quote HemanOrSheRa]This site is excellent for perimeno/meno info. The Balance App linked on the site is great. You can track your symptoms, there are lots of articles about HRT etc. And a forum where you can read other women's stories.

www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/[/quote]
Thanks, I'll check out the site.

Yeah, I have the Balance app. but got stuck on the questions because I had to answer whether my periods are still normal, infrequent, or have stopped. I have no idea due to the contraception I'm on so I didn't know what to answer and it stressed me out (definitely linked to me being autistic - I'm sure most people would have just chosen one but I really do feel 'I don't know' needs to be an option!).

OP posts:
Original poster
PocketPeanuts · 04/09/2021 07:36

@Pokhora

It might be worthwhile checking if you are a Fragile x carrier. One in 150 people are and a key symptom is FXPOI which causes early menopause. It also presents as mild autism in some females. It can be checked through a blood test.
That's interesting - I'll look into it!

As an aside, the idea of 'mild autism' is really outdated and inaccurate and not something we say these days (I work in this field as well as being autistic so that's not just me being offended on my own behalf, it's genuinely something good professionals have moved away from).

OP posts:
Original poster
PocketPeanuts · 04/09/2021 07:38

It seems like the 30s is quite common to get the peri in, I know a few woman aged just 39 that are going through it too and then the ladies here on MN so it’s not all that unusual.

Sorry, couldn't figure out how to quote this one.

I mean, even if it is just 1% of women, that's still hundreds of thousands of women in the UK alone due to our population size!

OP posts:
Bryonyshcmyony · 04/09/2021 07:40

34 is very young to be in perimenopause. It seems unlikely although not impossible. Are you a healthy weight? If not try and lose weight and perhaps try the vogel menopause supplement and see if that helps?

Original poster
PocketPeanuts · 04/09/2021 07:41

@Wombat96

ND too, so very sensitive to just about everything.

Went to see about menopausal symptoms but tests found a dodgy thyroid, so definitely worth a check.

Now trying to get HRT. Doctor said no problem but arranging is proving very difficult, due to the GP admin being terrible. 🙄

Not helping with rage! 😁

How frustrating! So close...and yet so far! I hope they get their act together and it's sorted for you soon.

Yes, it is worth ruling out other causes like thyroid issues. I do understand why they'd want to do that, as long as they are willing to accept it's perimenopause if other things are ruled out.

OP posts:
Original poster
PocketPeanuts · 04/09/2021 07:44

@LadyGAgain

I haven't read it all but a dear friend has just turned 42. She is finally on HRT. She has suffered for 7 years with all the classic symptoms. She left her job. She was prescribed anti depressants. All incorrectly. Many GP's really don't understand women's health. And your age is just an indicator. Don't be fobbed off. You know you. Good luck.
Thank you! I have historically been pretty terrible at advocating for myself. However, between finally getting my autism diagnosis and having done a job for the last year that involves supporting other people to advocate for themselves, I feel better placed to do it these days.

Plus, DH has said if the NHS are unwilling he'll look into the health plans he can get through work and see if we can go private and have any more luck that way (not that I should have to and I do worry I'll need an NHS referral in order to get anywhere privately).

That's utterly shit for your friend. It angers me so much how little women's health has been researched/cared about throughout history.

OP posts:
Original poster
PocketPeanuts · 04/09/2021 07:49

Honestly, it's so bloody difficult isn't it? I'm 49 and started to struggle about 6 years ago. Had blood tests, which came back ok, of course! About 2 years ago my sister and I were advised against HRT after having our family history assessed. But I am really struggling now, not sure how much longer I want to feel like I do if HRT will ease symptoms and make life easier to be honest! I've been doing quite a bit of reading around HRT and it seems there isn't the raised risk of breast cancer as once was thought. So I'm arming myself with as much info as I can before I approach my GP. Frankly, I'm not in the mood to be pissed around!

I'm so sorry you're also being messed around. It seems to be so frustratingly common!

I used to be so pro-NHS but these days I feel like GPs, in particular, are really only interested if they can prescribe you antibiotics or antidepressants and they essentially tell you to fuck off for anything else unless your leg is hanging off/you're dying in front of them.

OP posts:
Original poster
PocketPeanuts · 04/09/2021 07:50

@3Br1tnee

Why are they so stingy with HRT? They dish out antibiotics and antidepressants like there's no tomorrow, so why is it so hard to get this?
Ha! I just commented with very similar before I saw this comment! Totally agree!
OP posts:
Original poster
PocketPeanuts · 04/09/2021 07:51

@Bryonyshcmyony

34 is very young to be in perimenopause. It seems unlikely although not impossible. Are you a healthy weight? If not try and lose weight and perhaps try the vogel menopause supplement and see if that helps?
Thing is, while it might be a low percentage of women who go through perimenopause at my age, that still translate to a high number of women given the population sizes we're dealing with.
OP posts:
Bryonyshcmyony · 04/09/2021 07:54

A low percentage is a low percentage though!