What were you first symptoms of peri menopause?

[Cloud44]

What were your first signs of peri menopause and have you found anything that’s helped? I’m early 40s so not sure if it is that but I’m just not feeling quite right, not got as much energy as normal, being a bit snappy, worrying about things a bit and just not feeling as happy as before, all for no real reason?

Also a bit of a loss in libido but that may be because of the other things.

My very first symptom was a shorter menstrual cycle (21 days), but with very heavy, flooding periods. After a year or so, my cycle became much longer and my periods were very scanty.
Also: hot flushes, reduced libido, brain fog, a short fuse/being less accommodating (especially of poor DH), feeling a bit "meh" about everything - I didn't feel sad, but not much excitement or enthusiasm either.

I didn't go on HRT because my symptoms were fairly mild.

I haven't had a period for two years now and most of these symptoms have improved, thankfully.

For me it was nighty sweats and lighter, more frequent periods.

Periods started being weird..... extremely heavy and very erratic with the timings. Later symptoms were brain fog, tiredness, depression and loss of sex drive. Two years post menopause and its still not returned 🥺

I’m 46 and so over think things (lots) and so anxiety might be it for me

I noticed I couldn’t sleep in at weekends and was waking up feeling wired but tired.

Shoulder pain started and my work outs got shorter as it was suddenly really tough.

Periods were erratic & I had no real interest in anything. People annoyed me more than usual.

Anxiety went through the roof, lucky if I got a hours sleep which was the point I went to my GP. Thankfully she had been trained and after answering some questions was offered HRT.

OCD. Aged 29.

Then an irregular, shortening, cycle.

Then night sweats and hot flushes and total loss of libido.

Only then did a medic take me seriously. I'm 38 now.

Overwhelming anxiety, paranoia, bad sleep.

Actually many symptoms.

My GP took me seriously and put me on hrt patches. I felt better very quickly.

Wiggy periods and hot flushes night & day.
Then brain fog, anxiety, short temper, intolerance of idiots, low libido, depression, weird aches and pains, lack of interest in daily life...

SUPER HAPPY FUN TIMES!

Periods were erratic and heavier. Then insomnia, waking at 2-5am and not being able to get back to sleep. Then night sweats, then hot flushes. Tiredness, brain fog and rage after that, assumed that was down to not sleeping fully.

It all happened quite suddenly and quite strongly this year (I'm 43), the insomnia started mid March, by start of April I was begging the GP for a blood test to check my hormones. By end of April I was on HRT and everything returned to previous.

Hot & sweaty at random times.
Palpitations (not heart related, totally anxiety related)
Unable to remember every day things.
Having to make notes and write things down.

To be honest, each thing crept on very very slowly and mostly without me noticing much.

Now I’m in the midst of it, the insomnia is a fucking killer, periods are absolutely horrific, like a crime scene, I cannot think with an clarity, I cannot muster enthusiasm for anything and I ache.

The most upsetting, devastating aspect is the huge weight gain and impossibility around shifting any of it. It WILL NOT move, no matter what efforts I put in, it absolutely will not move.

HRT I’m hoping will be my friend… going to try it.

Very bad PMT, lots of libido, anxiety, aching, weight gain around the middle and trouble sleeping.

My NHS GP offered me antidepressants, which I wasn’t interested in because I wasn’t depressed. I saw a private GP about my own age who straightaway recognised the symptoms as perimenopause and put me on a low-dose of HRT. It has made a huge difference and I feel I’ve got my life back again.

Brandnewskytohangyourstarsupon your symptoms sound horrendous. Much worse than mine were. Do try HRT if you can take it, it may make a huge difference to your quality of life.

Night sweats definitely

Do you mind me asking how old everyone was when they recognised the first symptoms? Did you try and keep your head down and crack on with it for a bit before going to the doctor? It’s hard not being able to get enthusiastic for things and just feeling out of character! Does anyone know if symptoms can come or go or once they have started it that’s it they are here for the long haul?!

Cloud44 I was 41. Went on HRT at 44 and am now 46, back to my pre-40 weight, much more energy and much better mental health. It took 3 GP visits, and a private GP put me on HRT.

Pure Fury at the drop of a hat ... from nowhere ... 😞

I was 43

Infertility.

We'd had one dc after fertility treatment, but another wasn't forthcoming and my periods were all over the ruddy place. During investigations for that, they found out what the real problem was.

I didn’t realise it at the time but persistent UTI’s, broken sleep, heightened anxiety and joint pain- I developed arthralgia which was awful but it took me years to figure out it was perimenopause. HRT has pretty much resolved all of it for me.

Sorry, I forgot to say- I was late 30’s when I started having symptoms and I’m 43 now, have been on HRT for a couple of months.

I didn’t have any.

Did anyone have really itchy skin?

I was early forties and my first symptom was fatigue, the kind of exhaustion no amount of sleep can fix, very like the tiredness of first trimester pregnancy.

It lasted several months and was debilitating, I honestly thought I had a serious illness or maybe ME. I had another bout of it some time later. It was hard to function.

Then erratic periods, loss of libido and anxiety although that came in my mid forties.

Hot flushes came much later, probably after my periods stopped at 51.

Prior to my periods ceasing my libido made a surprise if brief reappearance which I reckon is nature's way of telling us if we want a baby this really is your last chance. Now I'm post menopause, apart from being a bit tired and having hot flushes now and then I feel fairly OK.

Cycle started getting shorter so I went on the mini pill which was amazing. I was about 44. Two years ago I started having hot sweats at night and feeling generally rubbish. I now have a Mirena coil and oestrogen gel but it hasn’t been a magic bullet for me, particularly mood-wise, I’ve gained weight round my middle, and my sex drive is non-existent. I’m 51 and would like this phase of my life to be over please.