Am i perimenopausal at 42?

[slet]

Symptoms include

erratic periods which start slowly eg days of v light spotting beforehand
the week before a period I get a constant low level headache that won’t shift
itchy ears
bad sinus pain
dry eyes
suddenly developed a penicillin allergy
rage coming out of nowhere

I thought I was too young but then heard Emma Barnett talking about peri and realised she is younger than me?

but surely I am too young for hrt? Can anyone advise on what I do?

Sounds like it to me. Ask for a trial of hrt and see if it knocks the symptoms on the head, then you will know.
It seems obvious that menopause will start earlier if menaechy starts earlier as generations go on as we all only have a set amount of eggs. Not sure why the medical profession hasn't worked this out yet?

Yes I did start at age 11!

I’m 42 and peri. I had hot flushes too, don’t think GP believed me but did some bloods and FSH levels confirmed

I'm 42 and have been offered HRT, the GP didn't require a blood test just offered based on symptoms. I haven't started on it yet as it's taken me a little time to come to terms with it but almost certainly will. It's not too young although it definitely feels it!

Should add, it's very much on the early side of normal, it's not wildly young.

Yup, I was 42. GP did some blood tests due to my age, confirmed what it was then asked what I wanted to do. Have been in HRT ever since, I'm 47 now and officially in menopause this month.

What makes you think 42 is too young? It goes on for years until you actually reach menopause which will likely be in your fifties.

Yes I've wondered that too, it seems obvious. But how does that work if you've been on long-term contraception that prevents egg release? By that theory people wouldn't reach menopause until their 80s.

@Bluemin on those sorts of birth control, the egg starts to get ready to be released but then the body realises the hormones aren't quite right and reabaorbs/ breaks down the egg so you still lose an egg each month.

Oh that's so interesting, thank you. I didn't know that. Our bodies are amazing!