What age do you think you entered perimenopause?

[DefenderOfTheDry]

Just out of curiosity, i suppose, what age do you think you started perimenopause?

I'm late 30's and not particularly looking forward to it.

Oh and I now don't seem to need coats, jumpers or duvets 😂

I think I entered peri around 42/43, certainly when I started noticing symptoms, am 44 now and HRT generally manages the majority of the worst symptoms (brain fog, anxiety, PMS, lack of motivation etc) - still get some (the joys of a dry itchy foof for example) but it's much easier to manage with the HRT.

In hindsight in my late 30s were the first subtle signs.

I’m 42 and think I’m just at the start - I am hot a lot and noticeable PMT. My mum was finished at 46, so was expecting it to be earlier tbh.

About 41. I remember having a conversation with my mum, telling her how horrendous my last couple of periods had been and she commented that the exact same had happened to her at the same age.

I have just turned 44 and I started to notice about a year ago things were changing

Physically my skin started breaking out on my face, my skin specifically on my legs would itch like crazy and sleep has been all over the place. Periods started to be a lot lighter and shorter at 41 but that was the same time as a lot of talk about the covid vaccine impacting periods so who knows

But then there is the other side of it, brain fog, lack of concentration, anxiety, loss of confidence especially at work - that has hit me like a bus. Oh and the rage and completely overreacting at minor things. That has caused some issues at home

Have not went on HRT yet even though doctor recommended it but I feel that I may need to soon

I have no idea. I had a coil fitted age 39 and my periods stopped, then I got breast cancer age 46. I had the coil removed and I had a period, which seemed fairly normal, but then I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years, and my periods stopped whilst on that as well. I've been off the tamoxifen for about a year now. I had one bleed a few months ago (had a full cancer check up, and all fine), and nothing since, so I guess I'm through menopause.

I've never had any symptoms, not even on Tamoxifen, if I have had symptoms, they've all been good ones, eg periods stopped, I became a lot more chilled, laid back, relaxed about everything (I was quite highly strung in my 20s), and I seem to feel a bit warmer these days, so winters are easier (I was always freezing in my 20s, unless I was basking in 30 deg C heat).

I'm interested in this too. I'm 37 so feel it's a bit early but my periods have become way, way heavier and more painful......and my PMT is much worse. I have to double up with a tampon and a pad on the first two days of my period now.

Same. I was about 41 and had no idea what was going on. Also have endometriosis which was finally diagnosed at 46 after two decades of suffering and asking for help.
Started on HRT at 51. Now past menopause on the other side.

I've had hormone imbalances since puberty but the perimenopause really hit hard in my late 20's/early 30's.

Finally on HRT now. Have been since 37. My symptoms were utterly debilitating.

I started HRT just before my 49th birthday.

In retrospect, I had peri symptoms from about 43/44.

Symptoms hit hard around 45-46 but there were probably subtler changes earlier.

39. I started HRT at 40

Was done by 50.

41 with changes in mood but symptoms have only got bad enough at 44 to go to the GP about it and start HRT (periods became crazy and unmanageable).

I remember saying that from 40 I was never away from the Dr's and I think this was probably the start of it. I had heavier and more irregular bleeding but was diagnosed as fibroids. Had those treated just before I was 42 and then in hindsight suffered terribly with brainfog and anxiety for the next couple of years (partly masked by lockdown i think, it was only when things got back to normal I realised that I didn't feel normal). Been on HRT for 2 years now, nearly 48. Still having periods every damn month though!

Thank you all for sharing. So interesting to hear the different responses.

I feel like I've just got my my physical and mental health back on track following having babies and COVID and a few work based stresses, so I'm hoping it's a while off yet or I somehow end up having a relatively smooth ride with it.

I appreciate all the suggestions around helpful resources/diet/exercise stuff too.

I think I've been in peri for at least 5 years & I'm 48. Periods used to be like clockwork now they're up to three months apart but can be horribly heavy, passing large clots etc.
Other symptoms include thinning hair, 3 stone weight gain, insomnia, crazy itchy skin, brain fog, lack of concentration, joint pain & feeling ridiculously tired.
I can't take HRT or have a mirena coil as I have a high risk of breast cancer due to significant family history. I did try sage but noticed no benefit. So I'm just trying my best to get through it the best I can.

I'm 53 with absolutely no signs of peri.

I'm on the pill and my GP said I may 'sail through' without even noticing.

My recent blood test showed no sign of menopause so that's rather terrifying!

48 here and as far as I know no particular symptoms other than I get more rage when I’m due on and a few night sweats in the week leading up to my period. Also I spent my life irregular - anything from 4-6 week cycles and now for the last year or so I have become regular as clockwork ! If this is perimenopause then I think I’m getting away with it lightly! I do exercise a lot and eat fairly healthily so I don’t know if that helps.

47

I feel like it's been the last year. I had a hysterectomy 6 years ago so it's difficult to measure as I have no periods, but I no longer felt like me, odd hot sweat, anxiety in an evening and hair falling out alongside sleep disruption was pretty miserable and tired all the time.
Started HRT a month ago and I feel like a different person

Looking back I think I was 47 when it started - I'm 49 now and not had a period for at least 6 months.

For me it was conflated (possibly even triggered) by having a version of long Covid, but I would say approximately 41-42. I’m 44 now and honestly think I’m nearly out the other side because my periods are so light and infrequent. I had severe bouts of Covid and post-viral fatigue throughout 22-23 that masked it, but eventually realised what was happening and am now on HRT. It was hard to get a doctor to confirm it because they all thought I was too young.

Ah yes, this is a bit like my experience - I even had a false cancer alert due to irregular bleeding. I was called in under the two week rule and had scans, surgery for fibroids etc. that all eventually turned out to be irregular bleeding caused by peri. My GP did the right thing though.