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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is perimenopause?

38 replies

Justabouthangingon · 24/07/2025 13:48

Ive been having symptoms for months, these include -

Really sore, itchy vagina, feels like everything is dry / tight, tearing to vulva

Debilitating fatigue

Drenching night sweats

Debilitating memory issues / brain fog - have worries at times I have early on set dementia it's so bad

Missed period

Noticeable hair loss

Rage / emotional changes (very out of character for me)

These symptoms are honestly driving me mad and hugely affecting me. Im 38 next month but the GP is saying I'm too young for these symptoms to be perimenopause. Ive had lots of bloods done, all normal, I'm not low in anything.

Just feel so desperate!

Thanks for reading!

OP posts:
Periperi2025 · 24/07/2025 22:25

What blood have they done and told you that they are normal?

If they have told you it is not perimenopause based on a normal follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) but no corresponding oestrogen level then they could be missing the problem.

Normal menopause is primary ovarian failure. In this case, ovaries start to fail with age resulting in lower oestrogen levels, your pituitary gland responds to this info in a feedback cycle and releases higher amounts of FSH in an attempt to stimulate the ovaries, hence raised FSH being seen as a marker of perimenopause/ menopause.

However

Secondary ovarian failure also exists, and is frequently overlooked. So in this case, ovaries are healthy, but there is a problem with the pituitary, so the pituitary doesn't release enough FSH, therefore resulting in failure of the ovaries and low oestrogen, and this low oestrogen causes all the same symptoms and misery.

So,
Primary ovarian failure = high FSH, low oestrogen

Secondary ovarian failure = low/normal FSH, low oestrogen.

If the GP hasn't tested, and won't take you seriously they there are online blood testing services that work with finger prick testing and will do a comprehensive hormone profile. Do it on day 3 of your cycle of possible.

By FSH 9.6iu/l with a oestrogen level of 54pmol/l when i was finally started on HRT at 42 after years of suffering. I was at rock bottom then. Since then I've had 2 years of endocrinology investigations, blood tests, urine tests, salivary test (cortisol) and MRI and I'm still none the wiser. But at least I'm on HRT. I'm on a really high dose of both oestrogen and testosterone and feel a million times better.

Moodershewrote · 24/07/2025 22:28

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Oh do shut up!!

Booksandwine80 · 24/07/2025 22:28

YorkshireGoldie · 24/07/2025 22:15

It does sound like perimenopause. If you’re on Instagram there is a really helpful informative doctor who does videos on this. I can’t remember her name (brain fog) but she was on strictly

Dr Punum Krishnan?

YorkshireGoldie · 24/07/2025 22:43

Booksandwine80 · 24/07/2025 22:28

Dr Punum Krishnan?

Yes. Thank you. She does some great posts

KassandraOfSparta · 24/07/2025 22:52

I follow Dr Nighat Arif on social media - she is very good on these issues too.

Picklechicken · 24/07/2025 22:58

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I can’t tell you how ridiculous your post is.

I went into early menopause aged 37 due to autoimmune issues. I completely stopped producing oestrogen. I have Addisons, lupus, Sjogrens, all sorts of things. A lot of the time early declining oestrogen levels are down to pituitary issues and / or endocrine issues. You may be wise to push for a referral to endocrinology. A lot of the time bloods come back borderline / normal for years before they finally dip into the “low/ needs treatment” areas.

B84 · 24/07/2025 23:18

I started hrt and progesterone at 40, I was struggling with vaginal atrophy also, I keep getting symptoms of utis every 4 weeks, I was on antibiotics after antibiotics, my doctor eventually referred me to menopause clinic and they checked bloods as I have a endrodine issue, which affects hormones it was recommended I start hrt and I also take vagifem and its a game changer, no more uncomfortable vagina, I feel like I have my life back, I find this lady very informative, she explains what's available for woman to help ease discomfort.
https://www.instagram.com/fabulouspharmacist?igsh=dzhpeDk4MGtkZTcw

I hope you get sorted

TaupeMember · 24/07/2025 23:23

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Are you serious?! Wow.

Icanflyhigh · 24/07/2025 23:31

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Absolute bollocks.

Perimenopause is very much recognised by NHS professionals.

Please enlighten me to your medical qualifications.

B84 · 24/07/2025 23:35

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHo3si_sG98/?igsh=MWZ1Y3g2aTZ1N2d2aA==

Check out some of her videos, she is a pharmacist and she explains what's available to help woman. This one explains about recurrent utis and viginal discomfort.

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHo3si_sG98/?igsh=MWZ1Y3g2aTZ1N2d2aA%3D%3D

moderationincludingmoderation · 24/07/2025 23:45

Justabouthangingon · 24/07/2025 13:48

Ive been having symptoms for months, these include -

Really sore, itchy vagina, feels like everything is dry / tight, tearing to vulva

Debilitating fatigue

Drenching night sweats

Debilitating memory issues / brain fog - have worries at times I have early on set dementia it's so bad

Missed period

Noticeable hair loss

Rage / emotional changes (very out of character for me)

These symptoms are honestly driving me mad and hugely affecting me. Im 38 next month but the GP is saying I'm too young for these symptoms to be perimenopause. Ive had lots of bloods done, all normal, I'm not low in anything.

Just feel so desperate!

Thanks for reading!

This could absolutely be peri. I’m 41 with diagnosed Peri Menopause as extensive tests showed I was close early Menopause. I had many of the same symptoms starting at 38.
My GP, unlike yours, was lovely and referred me to the early menopause clinic based on the fact that my mum had early menopause at 45 plus my symptoms.

Ridiculousradish · 25/07/2025 23:08

Not too young! I'm 41 and been on HRT for 2ish years now. I started peri late 30s.

LilyinBloom86 · 28/07/2025 15:09

Definitely not too young, I'd ask for an alternative GP appointment and push for further referral. Or if you can afford it go private and speak to a specialist direct and then you could go back to NHS for your prescription if you decide to take HRT.

https://myviahealth.co.uk/ can recommend Dr Coward (Andrew or Catherine they are a husband and wife and specialise in menopause)

Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

Myvia Health

online Menopause clinics with British Menopause Society registered doctors.

https://myviahealth.co.uk

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