Early menopause?

[AutumnOctober]

I'm 38, single, absolutely no sex life. Yay me! 😁 My periods have always been a bit erratic. I've been told that despite my symptoms I'm 'too young' for menopause, but I'm really not so sure anymore. I started having serious sweats - really really badly. Day and night, they would come on without warning and I would be soaked and dripping. It was the most embarrassing and uncomfortable time of my life. It went on for about 2 years. My periods are now coming approximately every 53 days (never counted before but its got my attention finally) and before every period now I vomit, my boobs hurt like fuck, and I basically get every symptom of pregnancy. Then it passes and my bones ache and click/crack like crazy. It's really quite horrid. Is this early menopause? It has to be, surely?

I meant to say - importantly - please don't advise me to see my GP. That is the best advice of course but it is not an option.

Watching with interest as I have quite a few symptoms and I am only 34

Well, it sounds like you have perimenopausal symptoms, certainly.

I know you said it's not an option, but I feel I have to strongly advise you to see a GP. You need to find out what's going on here, for the sake of your health. If you are in early menopause you need to be thinking seriously about HRT to protect your bones.

Actually, I don't know what you want people to suggest if seeing your GP isn't an option. I'm sure you already know that's what you need to do.

I know two women that went through menopause in their twenties so it’s possible. Why won’t you see a Dr though?

Because my GP has been completely dismissive of my symptoms. I've tried, more than once, and was pretty much laughed out of the room. So the reason for my posting here is to find out if others have experienced similar and to perhaps find some alternative resources. I don't do this lightly, my symptoms have been going on for a really long time. Thanks for your replies :)

Is there another GP in the practice you could see for a second opinion?

Fucking GP’s!!! Sounds like bloody menopause to me. (Loving the ad for airconditioners, too, Mumsnet!) Honestly, they might as well have a neon sign above their head that says “Tell someone who gives a shit!”
Meanwhile, night sweats are also symptoms of some serious health conditions (Lymphoma) and need checking out.
As for doctors and their shitty attitude towards menopause..... they don’t think about the long-term health complications post-menopause like osteoporosis, etc impact the medical system, and broken old people need higher-needs nursing care for and for longer periods, etc....
Do you also have an impending sense of doom/anxiety/depression?

Menopause can happen at any age. I was 37. My mum was 40. It can run in families - can you ask your mum?
You really should go and see a different GP.

if you have health problems like these and don't feel you can speak to your GP, you seriously need to find another GP - either in the same practice, or change to a new GP practice.
My practice has bios of each GP - do most practices? look for one with an interest in womens' health

It's peri-menopause and you need HRT. You are NOT too young for peri, and for your bone strength and heart health, HRT is very important at your age. Go to another gp and refuse to be fucked off. You need to advocate for yourself. This is a very good article about peri.

i.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/113666670/perimenopause-lead-up-to-menopause-very-uncomfortable-and-poorly-understood

It's peri-menopause and you need HRT

Op needs a doctor. You can't diagnose and say what treatment is needed online

Consider changing your GP.

Google British menopause society (BMS) and they have a find a specialist page which you can type in post code and it will give you local one.

Also search "premature ovarian insufficiency" which sounds like you may have - arm yourself with information and ask for a referral to Gynae at local hospital or BMS specialist mentions above x

This is an Aussie website, but has good ideas and lots of ideas, including diet, lifestyle, etc...
jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause
Might help a bit

Thank you so much for your replies. This has turned out to be way more emotional for me than I anticipated because the GP thing is a really sore subject. Trust me when I say my avenues are exhausted in that respect. What I hoped to find here were alternative resources or even just similar experiences.

I appreciate that you are feeling very sensitive about it, and I'm sorry if pressing you on it upsets you- I really don't want to do that. Is there a reason though that you can't change your GP? When trust breaks down like this, to the point where you cannot access the healthcare you so obviously require, it really is the best way to proceed.

Go see a private GP who specialises is women’s health. Totally worth the cost to be taken seriously.

In Australia premature menopause is now up to 10%! So no reason why you shouldn’t have it.

www.google.com/amp/s/amp.smh.com.au/national/my-first-reaction-was-to-cry-lorena-showed-signs-of-menopause-at-25-20191030-p535t8.html

Pay to go and see a hormone specialist. Google “menopause hormone consultant” it’s the best £200 I ever spent. When you think how much people spend on holidays/eating out...your health is more important. I’m on HRT and it’s changed my life.

I went to the GP at 49 and was told I was too young for the menopause!

Definitely go and see another doctor as you will need support through an early menopause. It happened to a friend of mine when she was in her 30s. But she had a very supportive doctor.

I have been on HRT (oestrogen gel) since I was 45. Because of this, no one has been stabbed. I have been VERY lucky and have had fabulously supportive GPs who recognize the need to jump in early and get on top of the comorbidities associated post menopause (osteoporosis, bowel cancer, atherosclerosis, arthritis, dementia, etc....) I have a very strong history of osteoporosis and I don’t want to go there!!!

Hi Autumn

I'm in a very similar place to you - I'm 34 and my periods have gone very wonky and I've been dismissed by my GP too. Despite my mum going through menopause at 36. Apparently they ran bloods last time I was there and "everything is fine" (though I don't know the exact results). I do know that my migraines have reappeared with a vengeance having been gone since pre-DC, and that my periods are currently varying between about 21 and 46 days.

Have you had any luck anywhere since you first posted?

Strongly suggest you have a look at the Daisy network for premature ovarian insufficiency and early menopause. They can point you in the right direction re: medical help as you need it, even if not from your GP (I sympathise - I went 8 times with these symptoms and was fobbed off, turns out it was life-threatening and I’m now in menopause). You have my sympathy.

Hi everyone! Want to share my experience of early meno. I'm 45 now and after my periods being erratic for a few years accompanied by frequent uti's, my periods stopped a year or so ago.
Personally I think menopause is underestimated. Life before is great life after is not so great. As my colleague described it she feels not a man and not a woman, something inbetween that is sex free ,completely free from any sexual thoughts and desires. I feel like an old lady, crippling away with my painful and creaky joints, with my severe hip osteoarthritis. Piling on weight because it hurts to exercise or even walk. I feel like I have died and it's a shell of me rattling about. There is never going to be a good day for me anymore and it's only get worse. Gp's are too young to get it or not the right sex.
I'm on hrt but still fell just the same - emotionless shadow. I can't even love or like anyone, it's all gone.

Well I’m 52 and on the other side and I feel great. Everything appears to be in good working order.