How do you know it’s perimenopause? I’m only 41

[TorviShieldMaiden]

I know 41 can be within the range of peri menopause, but most stuff seems to mention mid forties. Over a year ago, possible nearly two years ago my periods started changing. From very regular to sometimes 2 in one month, 35+ days between. They also got heavier, with flooding and large clots. I had a mirena cool fitted which thankfully sorted that.

Other possible symptoms include increased sweating, I now sweat loads, it literally drips off me sometimes. And (sorry) particularly sweaty in my groin area, not something I’ve ever experienced before. I do occasionally get flushes, but it is the sudden sweating that I notice more than the warmth.

I can’t sleep. I can’t fall asleep specifically. Unless I’ve had alcohol, but I’ve stopped that and I cannot fall asleep. I’m tired. So tired I can’t read as my eyes are closing. But can’t sleep. So I’m always tired.

My skin itches, especially at night, when I feel like I want to scratch it off. I get a very dry mouth, especially when exercising- I used to able to run 5k without water, but after a mile my mouth feel like it is full of cotton wool.

I’ve gained weight this year and it’s a lot round my middle and I’m really struggling to shift it (I’ve always been able to lose weight)

How do you know when it is perimenopause and at what point do you ask for some help with it.

I didn't know. I had umpteen red flag symptoms investigated. Nothing ever found. It was only looking back years later I realised it was all peri. Thing is, all those red flags would still have needed investigation.

Bless you. I am exactly the same and I’m 40. I hadn’t actually twigged that the itching was a symptom until recently. I am scratching myself until I bleed all night when I am drifting back and forth from light sleep to awakeness.

I don’t know if there’s any point going to the gp. Will they even test you at this age?

I’m 40 and my periods have gone batshit crazy. Plus am now getting sweaty but not in a normal sweaty way like the full on losing pints all over that you get after giving birth. I’ve been told there’s a blood test for hormone levels so next time I have ten minutes booking a gp appointment, will probably never happen!

It does sound like perimenopause.

The point when you ask for help with it is when symptoms are making your life difficult and uncomfortable.

See your GP and discuss HRT, it'll sort a lot of that out. In fact, because you are on the young side, HRT might be advisable for your future bone health.

The average age to start Menopause is 52 to 54 (according to my gynae), and peri Menopause can start 10 to 12 years prior. So yes, you are on the younger side OP, but it's very possible you are in peri.

Your symptoms do sound very much like you may be.

Oh god, yes this type of sweating. Like nothing to pints of liquid pouring off me!

I think I’m peri and am 41. Periods went awry after the vaccine so blamed that but then they never went normal again. Hadn’t had one for 5 mths until last mth then one appeared out of nowhere. Due again and no sign.
GP did blood tests 6 weeks apart - based on symptoms and lack of period (I don’t think they’d have taken me seriously without change to menstrual cycle from what she’s said)
first test showed definitely menopausal. Second everything is normal. I have an appt next week to discuss the results and can maybe tell you more then. I hadn’t even considered menopause as it’s not usual in my family. I have stacked on weight despite not changing anything, suffered very low mood and have zero sex drive. Also horrific vagina dryness at times. GP says that symptoms are how they decide if you need HRT but at your age (and mine) it’s recommended as it’s early to go and HrT will protect your bones and body for future health.

I've just gone on a mirena for hrt and also to stop heavy periods. It's licensed for hrt.

Looking back, I started peri around 40. I was an anxious, hormonal, unhinged, insomnia suffering, sweaty mess. Surgical menopause a few years later meant I started HRT.
LIFE CHANGING!
I wish I’d gone to the Drs earlier to discuss the issues I was having. I feel I lost several years of my life.

Could easily be. Highly recommend the Mariella Frostrup book on menopause- reading it now - v illuminating!

All my symptoms to a T. But I’m 51, so no shocker …except that it all came on so suddenly. Until 9 months ago, everything was so stable— perfectly regular 28 day cycles from age 11 on. Somehow I thought the onset would be more gradual. For me everything started at once and quite severely. Regular cycles for all those years and for my 51st birthday, one missed. Then one, then six months of none, and tremendous sweats, abdominal weight gain, moodswings, no sex drive, insomnia… All the fun stuff. I have to say, I had absolutely no idea what I was in for. Finally making HRT appointment. I already know I’m going to have to push a little bit, due to history of migraine.

OP it could be peri by the sound of it.
I am 43 (soon to be 44), I did ignore hot flushes for a while thinking it was too early even for peri. Also terribly hard to lose weight (I've lost before so I know what works). A cherry on the top, I haven't had a proper period for 4-5 months.
I've asked my mum thinking it might be genetics, but her menopause started when she was 50.
I've wasted so much on pregnancy tests thinking I accidentally got pregnant.
Must be peri. Too young, but I cannot explain otherwise.

Perimenopause can start in your 30s, so...

See your doctor. Sweats and itchy skin can be a sign of other problems. Get bad stuff ruled out first, then put it down to peri second.

From what you say OP this does very much sound like the perimenopause which can go on for up to 10 years, so 41 isn’t really too young to have started. You could ask your GP for an FSH test on day 3 of your cycle as that may give you a good indication of what is happening..

I’m 43 and I think I’m seeing some changes. Period cycles are sometimes longer or even shorter. Without tmi the actually period is different in how long it lasts and what the flow is like etc. I get PMT which I never really had before.

I developed anxiety through working the pandemic but I think it may also be peri. I also have sleep issues but I have for years so not sure. My hair is falling out more than it did. Basically what I think are my symptoms are quite mild currently but my sister has just gone HRT a few years older so will watch and wait. She really thinks it’s helped.

Currently managing symptoms with exercise and what I eat. Lots of nutrition, water I only have a drink once a week.

I’m 45. I have all the symptoms you describe and believe I’m in peri menopause. I’ve been ‘getting on with it’ for a while but the sweats and hot flushes are getting more frequent so I’ll shortly be contacting my GP to request some sort of HRT. Don’t put up with it OP, women deserve better during ‘the change’ we shouldn’t have to bear unbearable symptoms - no man would!

I noticed similar changes/symptoms at 41/42.

However, I am now 43 and pregnant!!! So don’t drop the birth control just yet.