Is 45 average age to start perimenopause?

[ForKeenDeer]

Periods a bit more erratic, anxiety slightly more than usual? I’m slightly older than 45 but only noticing little things that other ladies say they have and feel?

I started hrt at 44 after two years of visiting with all sorts of challenging symptoms

I had to come off hrt (breast cancer) I have used other lifestyle approaches and am now doing quite well <touches all the wood>

It took a good year though of slowly recovering and working through it.

I've just been told that it's highly likely I'm entering peri menopause at the age of 37... Oh joy! Pretty much the same as the other ladies, a gradual appearance of one symptom and then the others sneaking alongside

I’m 51 - no symptoms that I could definitely say are perimenopause though apart from menstrual cycle has been 26 days rather than 28 for the last couple of years.

I was even younger - more like 42 - started with night sweats - last period at 49

Is there a hormone test to confirm perimenopause?
My sister is late 30s and has all the symptoms. A work colleague has been telling everyone about her menopause symptoms for a few months now and I just found out she’s very early 40s.

Around 47/48 my periods became really erratic and very heavy and painful.

I felt very emotional, it felt like being a teenager again. For me, menopause was like puberty in reverse.

I am 58 now and haven’t had a period for about 8 years. No HRT required. Symptoms just weren’t that bad.

Your gp needs to go on a course. This is definitely not correct.

Just turned 40.
Periods very light, some cycles a week earlier.
Insomnia.
Very anxious but then I think that's just me.
Put on a stone without doing anything different in the past year or so.

Is it harder to know when things are starting if you're on hormonal contraception? I've been on the combined pill since 18 so don't have 'real' periods. I'm hoping to keep taking it until menopause kicks in!

Unfortunately blood tests are pretty useless as hormone levels fluctuate constantly. I’m 43 and started HRT 6 weeks ago after, with hindsight, 5/6 years of symptoms - everything from a period from hell (where I thought I was haemorrhaging), to itchy ears (yes really) to joint pain, brain fog, insomnia and red mist-style rage. After only 6 weeks all of these symptoms have subsided or disappeared and I feel like a new woman.

Try telling my GP that - last time I saw her she did a blood test and said hormone levels were normal. When I asked if levels tend to fluctuate her response was "no not really" 🙄 I've been meaning to move GP for a while now as they refuse to do shared care for my DS's ADHD meds even though he now has an NHS dx, this is the push I need I think.

I WISH they were moderate swings, rather than the major swings I'm having. 🫠

They suggest not to as hormones can go all over the place.

The tests are more for cancer patients to help decisions for treatments

(If their cancer is hormonal)

I had itchy ears! And also a complete lack of ear wax, which I felt meant they were really dry.

Bizarrely that was also when on hrt and I'm not on it now. but im definitely healthier now.

I'd say so.
I've gone through menopause at 46, but I started my periods early.

I was about 46. The main symptom was very heavy periods. The GP put me back on the pill to try to control them.

I have this too! What's with the itchy ears?!

Probably. But as most GP's don't care and brush women off then no one appears to be keeping any formal records.

I have this too! What's with the itchy ears?!

No idea, it just stopped on its own as far as I can tell

Itchy eyes here…

It’s to do with the membranes drying out. Same basic principal applies to getting a dry vagina.

My dry ears were horrendous for a while - I had to go at them with a cotton bud (yes I know how bad they are for your ears) at least 3 times a day just to get some relief. They’re better now but still itch a bit every now and then.

I'm 43 and my anxiety is through the roof! Exacerbated by the fact I've just started teaching at a new school.
Really don't want to go on meds again 😒

46 years old here. I feel like I'll only know for sure I'm menopaused once my periods have stopped. They're still regular. I've always been anxious, to the point insomnia has always been part of my life. Brain fog and lack of focus are maybe a bit more noticeable now but it might also be because I'm very busy juggling two children (one with SEN), a household and a puppy. No family support whatsoever so it's just my husband and me. Life is stressful and there are plenty of worries. Sleep deprivation is very real. The menopause might not be that noticeable when things are already a bit sh*t. I might be proven wrong and realise a whole new fresh hell is upon me but it's bad enough right now,and a lot of it is because of the environment I'm in.