Anybody else experiencing early menopause?

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At 36, I’ve entered perimenopause. And I’m fucking devastated. It never would have occurred to me if someone on here hadn’t suggested it. (We were trying for a baby and I couldn’t get pregnant and then I started having symptoms). It was something I didn’t think I would need to think about for at least another 10 years, so I don’t know much about it, but I am kind of terrified because it’s already almost unbearable, physically and emotionally, and the thought that it could be like this for years…

Anybody else? How are you coping? Is it terrible for everybody or am I just unlucky?

I went through menopause at about that age. The infertility part was really hard, but HRT was a godsend for the physical symptoms side. It sounds like you are cycling still? I kind of regret not going for regular blood monitoring and ovulation induction while I still could.

I started wee bit older at 42 finished at 47. Feel quite smug seeing all my friends and family just starting off now but I look years older than them so my tough luck lol

With hindsight, I think I started peri about 38, and was through it at 42. We were going through IVF though, and everything was messed up hormone wise, so I didn't really pick up on it.
I really struggled with a lot of the symptoms - and, of course, the infertility. We never managed to have a child. 😥
Now I'm 46, and on HRT. It's helped a lot of the symptoms, but I ended up having such a period of related depression a couple of years ago, that I had to start taking anti-depressants too.
Sorry to hear others are also going through this. It's shit.

Started at 42. Bloody pissed off as I assumed I had another 8-10 years before I had to worry about it. For me the mental / crazy lady side has been the worst - depression and anxiety when that's never been a factor for me before. Luckily HRT has been a godsend for that and the hot flushes etc.

Unfortunately the weight gain is ridiculous, I've gone from a size 8 to nearly a size 16 and I have a big belly for the first time in my life! Also I look older all of a sudden. That's shit. Don't get sucked in by all the 'miracle pills' for the menopause on the market, they don't help - just get HRT which does!

Sorry you’re going through this OP.

Have you started HRT? I’m early 40s and have been on it for about 6 weeks now.

Oh no I didn’t know weight gain was a thing. What can I do to stop it?! I am more or less the same weight I have been since I was 12 - between 8.5 and 9 stone - but I do LOOK fatter. I’m even more terrified now!

Where I live (not the UK) it’s almost impossible to get an appointment with a doctor unfortunately.

Hi op, I'm showing some Peri symptoms at nearly 37. My mum, grandma, grandma's mum and my aunties all went through early menopause so I'm certain it is the start. I've not seen gp just yet... I keep reading about hrt but feel scared to take it due to increased risks of cancers. But know I have to face it and sort it soon. Hope your doing ok.

I went through the menopause at 36 after the birth of my DS. Two years of madness and ended my career due to anxiety, lost loads of friends for the same reason although covid didn’t help either.
I’m now under a consultant and have my bloods monitored in case something else happens as early menopause can link to auto immune issues (they’ve found nothing yet) DXA scans, HRT.
I’ve a new amazing career and a smaller circle of reliable friends. So there’s light on the other side!

It’s boring but all the usual things like exercise, no alcohol/caffeine, low sugar, sleep help - but HRT was the only thing that really made me feel better.

My menopause was diagnosed at 27yrs old. So a bit of a shock. I went on to have 3 children thro donor egg IVF, we went thro a clinic in the Czech Republic. So you still have options re a family. It wasn't an easy road but I'm one of the lucky one who gets to say it was worth it.

I am peri at almost 39. Started around the start of lockdown I think.

No doctors would take me seriously and just prescribed antidepressants for the extreme anxiety. They didn’t work to for the anxiety but did help with the awful rage I was feeling.

my periods are all over the place now and I’ve gained a stone in weight. I feel I look older too.

no real help from me, just some support as it’s rubbish

This is me too. I have been on HRT for 7 months helping with physical symptoms massively but the brain issues still getting there. It's pretty shit and unfortunately surrounded by people who don't understand and unfortunately least of all my DH.

It's a tough ride but this isn't the same for everyone

Can i just ask what everyone's symptoms are/were that got them into investigating whether it was peri menopause?
I've had a few irregular cycles but now thinking it was after covid that's messed everything up as I seem to be back to regular now.
Sorry to hijack

I was officially diagnosed with Peri last year, aged 42. My GP suspected something and sent me off for a multitude of blood tests. Before I knew it, I was sent to an Endocrinologist and will be seeing her for the long term.
While I’m fortunate to have my kids, it was still quite a shock. Not a lot of women are willing to discuss it and I feel incredibly isolated and lonely. I wasnt aware of the series of health risks either - again, no one talks about it. Good luck with your treatment and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

It was never about my periods. My symptoms were awful mind fog, not being able to concentrate, forgetting words. Literally not being able to name the object in front of me, going into rooms and not knowing why I was there. Forgetting things, not sleeping, being cold. Irritable, snapping at my DC and DH and just not feeling happy. Hair falling out. I started HRT and I’m sleeping again and the mind fog has improved.

@Misspacorabanne do some reading around the newer HRT. The studies about the cancer risks were based on the old HRT. The newer one is plant based and mimics the body’s own hormone production. It’s a lot safer. If you look at Louise Newsome’s podcasts she explains it.