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.

Regular as clockwork periods suddenly had much bigger and irregular gaps between them and were much heavier and accompanied by migraines

Insomnia
Horrendous periods that then petered out.
Anxiety, low moods
Zero sex drive
more weight gain
hot flushes
forgetfulness/brain fog

Hot flushes and anxiety

For those who had night sweats, were these throughout the month or just around your period? I'm 40 and had been having night sweats for the night or two before my period for a few years; they now stretch to the day or two before, plus most nights of my period.

Since the birth of my DS (five years ago), my periods have been really heavy too.. Plus quite an erratic cycle, can be anywhere between 21 and 28 days, no pattern to it. Though last 3 cycles have all been 21 days...

Thanks @Aquamarine1029 . Tbh I'm not sure if GP would be reluctant to give HRT as I have two relatives in the paternal line who died from breast cancer, one of them was my age when first diagnosed ☹️

@TenoringBehind this sounds like me, you could have set a watch by my period previously and it was never that heavy before. Now it's more unpredictable and that heavy I have to use tampons - never really used them, other than going swimming, until about a year ago.

I started HRT at 40 due to being hot all the time, insomnia and periods becoming weirdly light (always been very heavy) and erratic. My mum was finished menopause by 45

Antidepressants with HRT worked a treat.

This thread has been a revelation, thank you @OldFan

I’ve been getting awful anxiety and low moods for nearly a year, constantly dwelling on stupid things I think I’ve done at work to the point I can’t think about anything else. I’ve never had bad mental health before. Now wondering if it could be perimenopause. Honestly had never heard that as a symptom before now, but it sounds very prevalent amongst posters here.

I'm wondering this too. I'm thinking of coming off it so I can be more in tune with my cycle, but don't fancy having periods again... dp might have to go and get the snip too.

I've had a couple of odd symptoms out of nowhere, so could be worthwhile.

How long is peri menopause before actual menopause happens? My periods have been all over the place for 3 or so years, I’m 45

Chronic insomnia, brain fog, breast pain. It was miserable! Much better now I am on HRT.

Oh, and I had to cut the labels out of the back of all my tops and dresses because they suddenly drove me insanely itchy.

Mine didnt

I forgot to mention the hairs sprouting out of my chin..oh the joy of menopause..no not attaching an image!

Migraines, like clockwork 2 days before period. Cycles suddenly fluctuating between 25-31 days after 30 years being 28 days. Insomnia, around 4am. Anxiety and expecting something awful to happen. A need to just sit and stare at the walls whilst having an insane discomfort in my own skin and needing to move. Fun! HRT helps.

I've had that since before I had children.

I had no symptoms, my periods stopped. I was on the pill until mid 30's, came off it, had periods that were irregular, which I put down to coming off the pill, then they just stopped around the age of 41, then that was it...feel quite cheated to be honest, way too early to be passed the menopause especially without any symptoms

Periods went from a light 3 day affair starting every fourth Sunday afternoon to 7 day bloodbaths with 21 to 36 days in between. Then came the hot flushes and when I woke up at 4am drenched in sweat for the fourth night in a row, I saw the GP who gave me HRT immediately as I would be 45 the next month. Marvellous stuff! I had to move from Evorel patches to Femoston tablets after a year as the night sweats started to creep back in but the increased estrogen put a stop to it. I would seriously recommend HRT to anyone who is able to use it (and mattress protectors, cotton nighties/sheets and the JML Chillow to those who can't).

I forgot to say, DM had a surgical menopause. She tells me she 'got a bit hot for a few days then that was it'!

rage, 3 week periods

Pre-menstrual anxiety was my first but I got a mirena to replace my copper IUD at 45 abs haven’t had a period since so that really helped. I’m 47 now, mainly have just had dry eyes and sore joints and my boobs went up a cup size but other than that I have been fairly lucky so far but will be running to the dr for HRT if/when it gets worse

Peri can last a decade, possibly even a bit more.

Night sweats! I would wake up soaking.

They're insane, aren't they? The first time I ever had one my husband woke up because he felt the wetness, he woke me up and was in a bit of a panic. He thought something was very, very wrong and wanted to bring me to hospital. I knew I was ok but I can understand how shocked he was. Fucking peri-menopause.

A belly that didn't shift. Hot flushes.
Constant worry about whether I had locked the front door or not.