Premature Menopause Support Group...anyone ?

[erilou38]

Hi there. I'm just thinking about setting up a little group for us poor ladies going through premature menopause. My doctor tells me that menopause is considered premature if the woman is under age 40. I'm 38 and believe i have been in menopause since i was about 35. I had hormone blood tests a year ago that showed i was borderline menopausal...only age 37, i could hardly believe it!! Anyway i now have lots of symptoms: irregular periods, periods are lighter a nd shorter. Hot flushes at night in bed, heart palpitations, insomnia, vaginal dryness, feeling tired all the time, hair loss and hair is dry and brittle, anxiety and depression. Oh, and i almost forgot, forgetfulness as well!! I find this whole premature meno very distressing and alone very isolating. Women that i know who are around my age don't understand as they are not going through it. None of my friends are experiencing it yet so i can't talk to them. I feel very alone a nd frustrated and get tearful and angry, (menopausal moods swings to blame i would think!) I'm sure some of you ladies must feel the same. Apparently prem meno happens to one in every hundred women so we are in the minority. Just thought it might be helpful if we could chat and share our thoughts and experiences. Erilou x

Spottymoo. Wow that's great, so the HRT seems to be working already! My doctor told me that after 3 months many women feel fantastic and won't give their HRT up for anything! Glad you have some medicine for your eyes, hopefully that problem will soon improve. Please keep me updated as to how you are getting on, i would love to know. Think i am going to have to give in soon and start HRT as i feel so crap xx

I am feeling much better. Acupuncture, various supplements as recommended by a nutritionist. No alcohol ( didn't drink anyway) no caffeine, low sugar. Good walks most days. Teaching my usual Pilates 3 times a week.
I have been doing this for 3 months now. Hair loss much less, skin crawling much less, internal shaking as good as stopped, sleeping well (apart from now as I had a Sunday afternoon nap!)
Really hoping that everything stays at this level. My symptoms got much worse after mt gallbladder operation in May. Mild symptoms went crazy but now settling down. Hopefully for a few more years. My cycles are however a bit shorter and lighter.

That's good to know fidelma.

You sound like you've got your symptoms well and truly under control.

Do you know if what your nutritionist has recommended is specific to you, or if it would work for anyone going through this?

So glad to hear that you're coping so well with it all.

Hi all, new to this thread... Just a quick question... rather than additional bleeding between periods I have a sort of bloody discharge. Is this common/normal?

Hello, think i might be in menopause, i'm 38 but having lots of horrid symptoms.

Hi mymatemax and Littlemiss.

I'm not sure, mymate but I've had that, too, I haven't been diagnosed, thought, yet.

Anyone out there able to recommend any good supplements? I know the jury's out on whether they help, but I'm willing to give them a try.

Just in case anyone doesn't know, Woman's Weekly Healthy Living Jan edition has got a special report on the menopause..best treatments...top tips..latest HRT advice etc.

Haven't read it yet and don't normally buy it, but thought this might be useful.

I've taken 11 tablets now I'm sleeping better and only the night sweats aren't as frequent as they were. I've never been a morning person but the last 6 months I've not wanted to get out of bed didn't see the point done days ( always did but was very grumpy) the last 3 days I've woken quite happy looking forward to the day ahead. Don't know if it's the HRT that's balancing things out but I feel good

So I got my Day 3 FSH result and it came back as 10.6 - better than I expected. Am still waiting for AMH so obviously that is important but looks like things may not as bad as I feared, although still have thyroid issues to contend with, mum's history of menopause at 33, and I'm not quite sure why my cycles have gone funny

I have had a tough 10 days leading up to my period. Symptoms stronger, a bit of anxiety and exhaustion. I missed my acupuncture as I thought I was ok. I have now booked in most weeks.
It helps to know I am not alone.
I am shocked at how hard it can be. Short period almost over. Hopefully I will have a good few weeks.
Has anyone noticed when their symptoms are worse?

Having a bad couple of days
Not sleeping very well and have broke out in loads of spots on my lower back which are quite sore.

Also feeling terribly broody every were I seem to go theirs babies. I know I should be great full I have a daughter and I am just always assumed id have more than one

Spotty. That's very hard. I am an only one (it was great and I am very close to both my parents) I did go on to have 4 though.
I am still having a hard time with symptoms. I have most symptoms on the list 35 perimenapsusal list!
Finding it almost impossible to accept that I am perimenapsusal. I keep thinking I have something more sinister. Messes with my head. I used to be so strong and level headed.
Anyone else l

I went off to the Dr today to get my blood test results expecting them to show that I'm in pm and assumed that he would prescribe me some "stuff" to help. Yes my results are consistent with pm but because I'm still getting periods (every 3 months at their most frequent) he won't prescribe me anything! The risks of Breast cancer, DVT etc! Don't know what to do now

Totally agree with the messing of the head, I think I'm not sleeping because my head is swimming with so much.

I still have regular period I get them monthly but they've gone from 29 days from anything up to 42.

The HRT has helped with a lot of the symptoms I'm hardly getting the night sweats and the eyes are loads better as well.

Is anyone that is taking HRT taking any vitamins as well?
I feel I need something I'm not ill but my body feels really run down.

The GP is recommending the coil to help my symptoms.she is not considering HRT!
Hot sore hands and feet today. I need to be strong and not worry about my symptoms. (Which I find very hard to do ??)

Devastated. Have been dealing with a disease for 3 years. Partner and I were waiting till I was better to make sure no risk to babys development. Recently turned 36 and Just found out I am post menopausal. FSH 46.8, no estrogen (estradiol less than 18!). Rapid skin aging and hair loss, atrophic vag, cellulite and anxiety, breasts disappeared, drenching night sweats...pill and illness hid symptoms. Panicking about health issues and rapid changes. Partner is a few years younger. Feel so old and ugly, and useless. Feel like setting him free. Can you still use an egg donor when post menopausal? What hormone replacement should I pursue? Beyond dispair...all happened within 10 months. Last year my FSH was 8.6.

Thanks for PM. I guess there are 3 major things going on for me:

1. infertility
2. getting old before my time
3. the impact of this news on my relationship I am sure these concerns are felt by most, and my initial reaction is not unique. Will try to stay positive and get some proper treatment. Reading success stories, of prevailing past the odds, is helpful. Cheers

SnareWren, what a cruel blow. Sorry to hear everything that you've been through. People on the infertility/ttc boards might be able to answer your question about egg donors.

I think the way we see ourselves when we feel like this is not how our partners see us at all.

Whatever happened to erilou38? I've just tried to pm her to see how she's getting on, and think she's name changed as she's no longer listed with that nickname.

Hope you're ok erilou38!

Thank you for the encouraging words. I think you are right. We often see more flaws in our self than those who love us:-)

I finished my first pack of tablets Wednesday I had what I thought was the first of my period last Sunday but all it's been has been a brown stringy spotting has anyone else experienced this on HRT?

Still having a tough time.anxiety crippling,comes in waves,panicking that I have some other disease.
Symptoms come in waves,it's like dancing from one to another.
Finding it hard to enjoy my life.i have so many symptoms,aches and pains,dry eyes,skin crawling,different colouring on my face,(reder) hot sore hands and feet,skin crawling and I can wake with a trembling body,headaches,night swets before my period,very short period then spotting.
Dr hasn't done my bloods yet,I will get them this month.
Anyone else got similar symptoms?
Acupuncture not working any more :( just want HRT never thought I would say that!

Sorry to hear your having a horrid time fid
The dry eyes I got a spray from asda for them and it really made a big difference.
Push for the bloods to be done 95% of the symptoms are under control now I'm HRT I've just started my second pack my period finally came after 5 days of spotting the pmt has been quite bad this month but I think that's just new hormones x

shggg245 'dried up spotty witch with a hangover'. That's me!! And my confidence is in shreds.

My GP tested my blood last summer and it came back fine ( I whinged about it on here at the time), although because I don't have periods (hysterectomy 5yrs ago) then heaven knows what part of the cycle I was tested on. So apparently I'm fine. Except I don't feel fine. Spots, joint pain like I have never experienced before, mood swings, sweating, tiredness, depression, memory like a sieve . I'm 40 this year so it wouldn't be unreasonable for my hormones to be starting to play silly buggers.

Anyway, I'm going to lurk on here again for a bit. Hearing what everyone else is going through makes me feel less crazy.