To ask what was the first sign you had that you were entering menopause?

[OldFan]

Just wondered really as I think I might be getting it IDK.

Yes, I refused ADs in favour of HRT, which helped a lot, though it's still there a bit. You literally can't focus on anything when it's at it's worst,can you?
I had some stressful things going on (aggressive autistic teen, one DD travelling alone in far-flung place, another DD living with an abusive man, DH being made redundant) and some days I couldn't function for the blind panic and constant catastrophizing. I used to be so laid back!
As I said HRT has helped a lot. I even sleep at night, mostly. Exercise has also helped a lot. I also take magnesium.

And another boost is that DD has LTB!!

Absolutely awful anxiety. Still have it now even on HRT

Anxiety

Anxiety and feeling exhausted.

Heart rhythm issues 1st sign for me
Closely followed by;
3 periods a month (heavy bleeding)
Night sweats
Monthly severe migraines
Cold, white hot rage
Insomnia
Itching (legs mostly)
Horrendous brain fog

No hrt worked for me (and I tried them all)
Any hormones caused horrific migraines
Endometrial ablation didn't work either

Another fat, early (almost mid though!) 40's moody cow wondering if it's peri menopause! I posted a thread with symptoms, have Dr appointment because I also have other symptoms that could point to something else. But shorter and lighter periods are the reason I'm considering peri.

I recognise the spots thing though never linked it and it would seem I'm swinging between the reported uptick in libido in peri and complete disinterest...... Which is fun when you're single 🙄

I have a lot of these symptoms though only just 41. Anxiety out of nowhere. Flooding on the 1st day of period then it pretty much stops.
Heart palpitations. Insomnia. Extreme irritability/anger. I don’t know if it is peri menopause but it feels like it could be

Is that you, India Knight? 🙄

Peri and menopause symptoms vary from woman to woman. And you can't just relax yourself out of the effects.

I never dreaded COVID. Still got it.

I started the menopause at 52, with very heavy periods that lasted for 2 weeks at times. My periods stopped altogether when I was almost 60!

When people say anxiety, could that count as a sudden fear of things? I used to love flying, last week I was gripping on for dear life during take off and sweating.

I'm also terrified of lifts now as well.

Irregular periods, have completely missed last month's. No idea if or when I'll get another.

Hot flushes

My daughter was concieved while i was on the pill so no idea what my cycle was like, had her at 31, peeiods returned ten months later (i was breast feeding) but only every 2 months. Stopped completely around 37, post menopause was much harder than peri and I didnt realise tge insomnia/brain fog/joint pain/feeling of being disconnected from everyone and thing was due to that but thankfully HRT has helped a lot.

Yes, that's exactly what anxiety is.

Same as so many.

Debilitating anxiety & perpetual dread, feeling of complete discombobulation, out of my body sensation.

Awful sleep quality & night sweats

And yes, spots ... never had a spot in my teen years, and only occasionally in adulthood.

I struggled to get my symptoms treated as perimenopause for so long, because GP claimed the genuine shit stuff going on in my life was causing them.

HRT has transformed me. Still have the shit stuff but have at least some capacity to cope now.

Isn't incredible how awful perimenopause is for so many women?

Of course the menarche is, and pregnancy ... but seriously, perimenopause is so bizarrely awful for so many of us. What a design flaw, really!

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but once your periods have fully stopped and you’re officially menopausal (eg it’s been over a year since your last one) - do all these symptoms go away or do they carry on FOREVER? 😬

A few years ago (I'm 47 now) I had a couple of periods that were 3 months apart for no reason. Nothing much else changed then. 6 months ago my sleep became really bad (awake for ages middle of night) and was having hot flashes during the day. Within 2 weeks I was on HRT and I am sleeping well now and no hot flashes.

Same for me. Worse for the two weeks before my period.

Thanks. I know its a stupid question but I was wondering where this sudden fear came from. I've used the lift in my building for 8 years without a thought, now I'm scared in it.

My periods stopped when I was 50. That was it. They had been clockwork regular for decades, then stopped without ever becoming irregular. I had a few warm flushes (not even that hot) in the following few months, then nothing else.

I did notice my energy levels dropping over the next few years, but that may have just been ageing.

My symptoms went altogether once my periods stopped for good

I wonder if I'm heading towards perimenopause. I'm 40. Weirdly, I've gone in the opposite direction to a lot of people - I've had irregular periods all my life up until about a year ago when they suddenly became very regular and heavier. I'm liking the regularity - for the first time I've been able to plan when to go on holiday based on when I'm likely to have my period. Previously, I could literally never tell - my cycle could be anywhere between 30 and 70 days long. I'm anxious and a bit depressed - I've been depressed before but this feels different, it feels physical rather than mental if that makes sense. I've become a very anxious driver, when previously I had no issues at all. My breasts are sore to the extent that I've been thinking of going to doctor as a previous injury from a long-ago biopsy is causing me pain that goes down my arm and up through my neck. I doubt they can do much about it but I suppose I need to rule out anything more sinister besides hormone changes making it go dolally.

If it is peri, I'm fine with it - knowing what it is makes it easier to deal with. I would have thought I'm a bit young but who knows. The women in my mum's family always look fabulous after menopause - younger, brighter - they age beautifully, so I'm hoping I get those genes!

The sooner my periods go the better. I think that's going to be quite a while though, which is a shame.

Heavier periods and night sweats were my first peri symptom followed by my running pace dropping off a cliff overnight . It was a couple of years before I realised what was going on though

My periods got closer together and so much longer and heavier to the point where I was on more often than off. I had an scan to check everything was ok but because I was only 41 nobody suspected peri menopause . Then very suddenly went 8 months without a period. And at around this time the hot flushes began, and waking up in the early hours for no reason and not being able to sleep. Last period at 44, three years later.
I'm on Hrt now because of my age.