Is this usual in late thirties?

[PinkRiceKrispies]

To have shorter periods and to have more pre menstrual symptoms which seem to start 4 or 5 days before actual period starts?
Also for hair to start thinning a lot.

I'd get your thyroid checked with regard to the thinning hair.

It's normal for perimenopause...which is unusual in late 30s but not unheard of.

My hair started massively thinning aged 38 and is the thinnest it’s ever been now, aged 40. You can see my scalp very clearly now 😫 I’ve got loads of other symptoms too, such as vulva pain, bladder issues, achey muscles and joints, greasy hair, acne, anxiety, teeth grinding, tingling, increased headaches, dry eyes… I’ve had every test available, which has basically ruled out everything (including low B12, ferritin, thyroid etc.). GP won’t acknowledge it could be hormonal because ‘I’m too young’ 🙄

I know you say you’ve been tested for everything but have they tested you for PCOS? Hair loss, acne, greasy hair and anxiety are classic symptoms. Usually they check LH, FSH, testosterone and prolactin.

The average age for menopause is 51, but it’s just an AVERAGE. Some women go through menopause in mid to late 40’s, which means peri can start in your mid to late 30’s.

I would also see if you can explore PCOS, although that doesn’t explain all of your symptoms and greasy skin, acne and thinning hair are not only PCOS related, they can also be part of peri.

I would push Dr into letting you try HRT to see how it makes you feel. It’s very safe these days, unless you have had specific oestrogen receptor types of cancer.

I don't think it's PCOS but do think I am heading into menopause a lot earlier than I thought. Very depressing. All seems to have gone downhill over night.

Fight, fight and fight some more for good menopause health care OP. Sadly, it is still a fight in some places.

I hit a menopause brick wall after surgery at 32. A few years later, after much digging, I finally found the only menopause specialist consultant in the entire North West of the UK. Initially I was told they only take a GP referral. I wrote a very polite and grateful but strongly worded email explaining how useless my GP was and she agreed to see me. Life has been massively different in many ways since I started treatment.

It's a hassle but in my experience it's worth it. You don't have to put up with feeling like shit all the time, and you certainly don't deserve to either.❤

Funnily enough I’m 35 and periods are shorter and lighter, I’m more hormonal and have been having hot flushes.. young for menopause but maybe not peri I think. I had bloods to check but they’re not massively accurate I don’t think.

@FuckFuckGo I do have PCOS, was diagnosed over 10 years ago but these symptoms have developed in the past 2 years, since I’ve lost 45kgs and become healthier! 🤣 My periods are regular since the weight loss (although my cycle lengths can vary, they are still considered to be ‘regular’ 🙄) and I even started ovulating (I got pregnant unexpectedly) so I now wonder whether I’m perimenopausal as I started my periods very young (9) so stands to reason I will enter menopause earlier too 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m ordering a private hormone test because I’m struggling massively with the vulval and bladder issues 😫

A good place to start is the Dr Louise Newson podcast series. On Apple the link is: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-dr-louise-newson-podcast/id1459614845

You’ll have to search her name on other platforms.

She has a very well regarded private Menopause clinic in Stratford Upon Avon and they offer online appointments too. If you have no joy with your GP, this could be an option.

Blood tests are only ‘so’ useful during peri, because hormones are on a daily rollercoaster.