My arse is being kicked by perimenopause fatigue

[cissyfromchepstow]

Hello

Looking for any advice for tips from anyone that has also been through this.

Been diagnosed with early perimenopause. Lots of lovely symptoms but the one kicking me is the bloody awful soul sucking fatigue. I've always been the last one standing, even when dog tired or ill.

This fatigue is kicking me, I just can't function. I'm not on hrt as awaiting another appointment about that

Has anyone got any tips? Or can just tell me they went through and I've not just become a tired person and that's just me now.

Are you on any HRT?

Sorry, missed that bit. Why didn't they prescribe HRT at your initial appointment?

No not yet. Waiting for more info in another appointment about it.

They were giving me time to weigh up how I wanted to approach it.

Oestrogen helped me a bit. Prior to that I was barely able to function and just ate a lot of sugary snacks to get by.

Did you almost feel sedated? I've never known tiredness like it.

HRT sorted this for me but be aware you might need to fiddle with the dose. If I have anymore than one squirt I need naps!

Presumably you’ve had the usual suspects checked out: iron and ferritin, B12, thyroid function. In my case perimenopausal fatigue turned out to be exacerbated by a seriously dysfunctional thyroid (now removed), and I get bone-aching fatigue whenever my ferritin gets below 25 or so. Have just started HRT and the additional oestrogen has badly affected my thyroid levels again - it’s all hormones and they all interact with each other. Sadly many GPs are reluctant to do anything about it. You often have to push, or go private.

Might I ask what age is considered early to be diagnosed with early perimenopause?

You might bet do better posting this on the Menopause section of the site as it's all about what you're asking.

It's under 45 for early and under 40 for premature menopause.

Peri can last for years but before 40 is quite early as average age of menopause (no more periods at all) is 51.

Yes very much so, like I was drugged…that felling you get where it’s like you’re moving through water. Dreadful

Lifestyle changes; your diet, excercise, sleep, stress.
Made a difference. Still have symptoms, but feel better.

Hi @cissyfromchepstow - how are you getting on now?

I'm in the process of getting an appointment for HRT and my main symptom (aside from erratic periods) is also fatigue. Interesting that you say its like being sedated - I've been saying that I haven't felt this tired since my first trimester of pregnancy and I used to describe that as being like someone was slipping sedatives in my food!

I wake exhausted, I spend my day exhausted and I go to bed exhausted. I nap every weekend.

I don't feel like myself at all. It's got to the point where I would describe it as debilitating. Finding energy for things that give me joy is a real struggle as I just don't have the energy - social life and hobbies are bare minimum as I'm only just coping with the absolute essentials of work and being a parent.

And I've had all the blood tests so this why I'm now finally going back to get myself on HRT and hope that helps.

You definitely need to start pacing out your day, not saying naps, but short breaks in-between tasks.
I also (sadly) pretty much gave up drinking wine. One glass would send me to sleep.
Exercise greatly helps give you extra energy, regular classes of Jazzercise helped me enormously, kept me fit and helped keep my weight steady. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Trial and error here but with HRT. Very little refined carbs, no refined sugar and lots of cucumber during the day. Lots of water.

The tiredness is a pain in the arse. Anything that spikes insulin makes it worse.

@NameChangedForThis2025 Hello, thank you for your reply, I've been trying to feel better with exercise and all the usual but still struggling with fatigue and brain fog, my gp keeps telling me it's depression and has been dismissive so I feel a bit alone with it all.

Yes you describe it so well. Just have no motivation, harder to feel joy but don't feel depressed or sad, and like someone pulled a battery out. It does line up with fluctuating hormones - I think fatigue and brain fog are linked to everything from cell function and energy affected by hormones swinging around and the effect on neurotransmitters in the brain, everything is affected when our hormones change.

Getting help seems to be a battle without being brushed off, probably not all gps are the same but I feel a bit stuck.

Thank you @gamerchick

Thank you, having some success with exercise, it definitely helps. Thanks all

I'm also struggling, and after some blood tests to rule out stuff getting referred to the chronic fatigue clinic at the local hospital. I also have depression.