Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Menopause

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Is this the beginning or not??

24 replies

Smallstuff · 10/02/2011 14:46

I am 41 ( just) and think I may be starting the menopause or the run up to it anyway. But seem to have contradictory symptoms..
I still have periods which are much much heavier than the used to be. My cycle is bang on 26 days every month....
But my boobs get very sore mid cycle , in fact once I thought I must be PG...
I have no libido at all
I am very ratty and angry a lot of the time except immediately after and during period. I never had these premenstrual symptoms before my last DC was born
But the most worrying thing is that my brain seems to have stopped working.... My mummy brain is getting worse and worse. I can't remember the right words in conversations,peoples names,what I went upstairs for, etc etc
I just thought 41 might be a bit early for this and don't want to worry my GP unessecarily (just couldn't remember how to spell that!)....
Any thoughts?

OP posts:

marriednotdead · 10/02/2011 15:48

It sounds very normal for 'your age' IME, sure there'll be others along shortly

I think you can get a blood test but IIRC, your periods need to be absent for 3-4 months for anything to make sense.

I'm 44 and went through this a couple of years ago (along with erratic periods) and found that a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement helped, along with gingko biloba for my brain freeze.

I've been a bit better since, but still have lapses where I can barely remember my own name. Fortunately my friends are of a similar age so we just laugh at each other. DH however, thinks I'm nuts

cabbageroses · 10/02/2011 18:45

The peri meno can last up to 10 years so it is quite possible that this it happening.

it's not really worth having a blood test yet- if your periods stop before you are 45 then yes, as you should take HRT to ward off osteoprosis, until the age of normal menopause- 52.

the problem in having a blood test at 41 is that your hormones are potentially aall over the place and may be normal one day, low the next and high another. You really need 2 tests within a month to make any sense of what's going on.

When I was 51 a blood test showed i was post meno- but I went on to have 2 more years of periods.

Original poster

Smallstuff · 10/02/2011 18:46

Thanks for your reply....at least I am not alone in my brain problems.... I thought I may be getting early on set dementia.... It's quite scary being unable to remember stuff....
Never heard of ginko biloba so will look that up.

OP posts:

cyb · 10/02/2011 18:48

smallstuff-you and me both

I feel I have about 4 days where I'm not biting someones head off or thinking murderous thoughts

Original poster

Smallstuff · 10/02/2011 18:49

Thanks cabbage, so while I am still having periods my risks for osteoporosis aren't increasing then?
It turns out my mum had an early menopause with exactly the same symptoms as I have now...will be advising DD to get on with having children....

OP posts:

Original poster

Smallstuff · 10/02/2011 18:51

I keep cross posting with everyone. Thanks cyb the anger thing has really taken me by surprise and with three young Dc (7,5,3) I have days when my Tongue is all but bitten off!!

OP posts:

cabbageroses · 10/02/2011 21:01

smallstuff- they may be increasing slightly as you can become anovular- bleeding but no ovulation. Make sure you exercise enough nad get enough calcium and Vit D.

Meno age runs in families very often so you do seem to be following your mum.

Original poster

Smallstuff · 10/02/2011 21:11

Thanks..... Will dig out vit pills..... Exercise hum not much of that except lots of walking to and from school and general housework/ childcare. So not sedentary but not massively aerobic.....time (and tbh inclination) let me down....

OP posts:

Dommy · 18/02/2011 17:04

I have odd periods now. I'm 44 and they start then stop the same day then start again a few days later - not at all like they were. And re your comment

''most worrying thing is that my brain seems to have stopped working.... My mummy brain is getting worse and worse. I can't remember the right words in conversations,peoples names,what I went upstairs for, etc ''

Ditto! I thought I was going senile - could it be the menopause? I've always been forgetful but I forgot a dear friends' Mum had died recently and we'd had a little cry about it together...I was very embarrassed when I had to confess to her I'd no memory of this at all...(actally maybe that was just senility, it sounds so bad written down!)

Original poster

Smallstuff · 20/02/2011 12:02

I too thought I was going into early onset senile dementia. I even did one of those on line tests. I have to remind myself of important facts about my friends before I meet them so i can remember to ask after the right things. I haven't quite got to writing stuff down yet after get togethers but it's getting close.
It seems it is a menopausal symptom which has made me feel so much better!
I now just blame my hormones when I ask a friend what they are doing for the weekend and they reply that they told me that yesterday!!,

OP posts:

BecauseImWorthIt · 20/02/2011 12:05

I don't have the brain fade issue (thankfully!), but have been suffering from really irritating hot flushes recently - irritating because they are waking me up. I have started taking a Boots supplement, Menolieve, and that seems to be helping.

It's also supposed to help with PMS symptoms, so might be worth checking out. (It's not cheap, though - over £9 for a month's supply)

Original poster

Smallstuff · 24/02/2011 19:22

Thanks Because... Might look into that... Currently in my 'sore boobs' phase of the cycle....really painful like having engorgment when BF.... Still seem to be managing the rages better this month...poss cos it's half term and so life is more leisurely.... I worry for my poor kids stuck with such a moody cow

OP posts:

BecauseImWorthIt · 24/02/2011 20:29

Well I've been taking it for a week or so now, and it seems to be really helping (although I don't get the rages!) - could be worth a try?

Also, if you're experiencing the sore boobs, have you tried taking Evening Primrose Oil/Starflower Oil? They are supposed to really help.

Davsmum · 04/03/2011 14:19

I had exactly the same sypmtoms in my early 40s
I had never had problems with periods or PMS/PMT but then I suddenly started having very heavy periods,.became far more emotional and scatty and libido declined. My periods did not cease until I was 51 but the hot flushes which started when I was 49 and had not been that bad - got much worse so I went on HRT - Since then I have felt really good - and libido returned.

BecauseImWorthIt · 04/03/2011 19:32

I'm not going down the HRT route. My mum, who was on HRT, died from advanced breast cancer. The link between the two is just too much for me to consider it.

Original poster

Smallstuff · 17/03/2011 15:06

Have now booked to see my GP next week. Bit nervous about getting poo pooed but think it would be worth having a blood test in case I need to worry...
Have started taking. Calcium supplements and need to look at the other things suggested...

OP posts:

Original poster

Smallstuff · 23/03/2011 14:20

Saw GP this morning who didn't laugh me out of court... Altho he did say all the symptoms could be the result of stress.... Humm not sure about that one...have been pretty much stressed all the time since DS1 born and not had all these symptoms before....
To add to my other symptoms I am now getting hot flushes day and night... Fab....
Anyway he sent me for a FSH and LH blood test and a thyroid check. Going back next week to discuss results. He hasn't ruled out HRT even if the tests are inconclusive.
So I feel that have made some progress!

OP posts:

ftm42 · 24/03/2011 10:37

Re the mood swings - my GP put me on low dose anti-depressant a while ago, as I was incredibly angry most of the time and esp just before a period was screaming at everyone! I tried coming off them last week but the mood swings came back within 48 hours so I'm back on them!

Hope the results come back with some sort of conclusion for you.

Original poster

Smallstuff · 24/03/2011 12:55

Thank you that is interesting

OP posts:

Ormirian · 24/03/2011 12:56

Yes, IME, that's the start. I started these symptoms about that age too.

houseproject · 24/03/2011 20:21

I'm having similar symptoms - periods are still regular although they have changed, spotting at first then really heavy. The change to my mental alertness is worrying and of course the mood swings. I feel great for a few day after my period and it lasts up to mid cycle and then the cycle starts again. I am hating this stage of my life!!!

Should I be asking for a referral to a specialist?

cabbageroses · 25/03/2011 08:40

No- you should try self help first. Loads you c an do.

CantThinkofFunnyName · 25/03/2011 21:00

Cabbage - just seen you on another thread and feel sure after reading this, that I'm entering peri phase. I'm 42 and have a 15 month old but thought I was entering it just before conception.

Anyhow... can anyone list out the self help things here so I can start stocking up tomorrow . Am sooo happy that Houseproject has outlined my cycle . Mid cycle onwards the rages are ridiculous. Until one day prior to period, then its depression and sleep. Not sure I will stay married through this....

cabbageroses · 27/03/2011 19:27

I think you will find the book the best guide- it;s where I go all my info- and direct from the horse's mouth!

Flip