Can you tell you are on perimenopause whilst on the pill?

[DyslexiaMum1]

I'm going to ring my GP next week about this but wanted to hear others opinions and experiences as well.

I am 37, nearly 38, and am getting a lot more sweaty...drenched in the night at least 50% of the nights, particularly on my scalp, neck down between my breasts. I have terrible brain fog. Exhausted. Brain fog and exhaustion to the point I haven't been able to keep up with my job and things I used to be a whizz at (organisation/tidying up) have fallen to the wayside. Put on weight over the last 3 years but I don't feel I eat much differently. Increase in body odour which was never an issue prior to the last couple of years. Joint aches every morning and throughout the day. These symptoms have been creeping on over the last few years.

However, I'm on the pill so not able to observe my "true" cycle. Currently I have a 4 day break in pill packets and tend to get a small amount of dark blood only for 3 or so days on the day I start my next pack.

I'm going to ask the GP about trying coming off the pill for a year to see what happens and tracking my cycles. I'm a bit apprehensive as in addition to using it for contraception, I felt I needed it to stabilise my moods. However since then our lifestyle has changed somewhat so I feel I'll be able to track my cycle and be more intuitive to my hormonal needs than I had time for previously. Husband had agreed to a vasectomy and until then we will use condoms.

Anyone been in a similar situation?

What did you do?

Are there any blood tests you can have to see if you are in perimenopause?

Any tips for me?

Thanks in advance.

[SilentHedges]

You'll get some more replies and excellent advise if you post this in the Menopause section of Mumsnet.

[DyslexiaMum1]

Thank you @SilentHedges