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

I just replied to your other post. It certainly sounds to me you are perimenopausal although your FSH was normal. Your FSH is going to bounce around like mad i'd say. All part of this bloody peri!!!

Hi! I'm not sure if I'm really part of this group. I'm 44 this month, so not really 'premature' menopause. I've not been to see a doctor yet. My problem is the weepiness. I've just started a new job and they've already labelled me as 'emotional'!

I suppose I'd better make an appointment for testing before I lose my job, husband, etc. ;-)

I would say age 44 is about the normal time to start perimenopause. My HRT says on the packet this: Women typically begin menopause around mid 40s. I'm often crying and having mood swings for no reason really. It's like having PMT all the time. Bloody horrible! Yes, make an appointment with your doctor and ask for your hormone levels to be checked.

Hi ladies, I'm so glad I stumbled across this thread. Sadly I fit in here too :(
At 34 my gp has told me I have premature menopause (although I still have periods so guessing it's peri menopause). I first noticed my first symptoms 2 years ago when I had a really bad hit flush one night but didn't think much of it. My periods became really erratic after that being anything from 17 days to 52 days. About September last year the hot flushes came back so decided to be brave and mention it to my gp. She checked my hormones and all were in the post menopausal range (FSH was 62). Had an ultrasound if my ovaries and it showed a large follicular cyst so was told to repeat the blood test after my next period and then the ultrasound after 8 weeks. My next hormone results were all normal so my gp thought it was my body trying to get rid of the cyst. Forgot to have the ultrasound until I started having really bad hot flushes (about every hour even during the day) so repeated the ultrasound which showed the cyst was gone but my ovaries are really small. Hormones were checked again and this time they were worse than the first (FSH was 68). My gp thinks my ovaries kick in every now and then but will need HRT because of my age. I have to wait to see the endocrinologist next Friday (I have thyroid problems too so my gp wants me treated by the specialist). I'm really hoping she starts the HRT because I feel like a moody cow and snapping at my kids and husband all the time makes feel awful :(
I just feel so tired and don't have the energy
Or patience to deal with my highly energetic 5 and 3 year olds. My husband is getting pissed off because I never feel like sex which makes him grumpy so then I get grumpy (it's like a vicious circle really).
Having bad problems with the dry eyes as well (making wearing contact lenses hard). I'm a little worried about the HRT though because I suffer from migraines. I've read that the patches are meant to be better for someone who suffers migraines, has anyone else tried these? I feel so alone in all this :(

Hi Jorseb,

Sorry you're having all these symptoms, and at such a young age, too. This is a good place to come when you're feeling really shit and alone, I don't think men can fully understand just how physically exhausting hormones can make you feel, not to mention erratic/irritable/irrational/tearful etc etc. (For that matter, neither can women unless you have experienced even a fraction of how it feels.)

You're among friends here. Hope it helps to know, that at least on mn, you're not the only one going through it.

xx

We'll saidmissfitless
It is so hard for people to understand what we are going through. I have decided that despite my normal FHS level I am definitely perimenopausal. Today I have had sore muscles and joints. Mood changes from one extreme to the other. And skin crawling (arghhhh) trying to be positive. It's hard.

I don't think men get it at all!!! My husband thinks it's just another excuse not to sleep with him :( I love my kids so much but finding I'm wishing them to hurry up and be teenagers so they will leave me alone. I just want to be able to enjoy their childhood but can't because I'm so tired and cranky. None of my friends really get it (they are nice about it) but some feel sorry for me that I won't have anymore children. At the moment I'm more than happy to not have anymore but once I start HRT and hopefully feeling better that feeling may change. Especially as I'm almost a fully qualified midwife so being around all those babies when I'm feeling well may trigger a whole new set of emotions.

Fidelma I think it's definitely worth getting your hormone levels checked again. Mine went from being really high to normal then high again. If your gp won't do it then go see another one. It took me so long to see my gp about it because being a nurse I felt stupid and paranoid that I was being a hypochondriac. I'm just happy my gp took me seriously.

Wow Jorseb, well done with the training!

I bet that's hard juggling all that and the menopause symptoms, and small children, and the usual day to day living.

From someone who struggled to even get out of the door this time 6/12 months or so ago, and have been know to sob while I make tea, and throw pans out of the back door , you're doing really well!

(What's more, it's now looking likely that I wasn't even in the menopause, afterall, so WTF that was all about, I've no idea!

Thanks misfitless, it hasn't been easy that's for sure!!! I really struggle with the fatigue so I find it's the housework that gets ignored. Having been a nurse for 11 years I'm already used to the shift work but all the extra study is very draining. There have been many times I've come close to quiting but almost done now :)
For the past couple of years everytime I went to the gp I'd mention how tired I was and sometimes she would check my iron levels or thyroid levels (thyroid has been an issue for years) but they would come back ok so she'd just say that it's from study/work/kids.
Just hoping the endocrinologist gives me good news in Friday and starts HRT. Have been doing some research today (I'm in Australia so night here now) and have found out a bit more about different HRT available and have ordered a book that's meant to be really good called "the premature menopause book" by Kathryn pertras.

Misfitless what makes you think you aren't menopausal anymore? Did you have your hormone levels checked?

I have read your posts with interest as I am getting suspicious... I am 39.5 and have always had a regular 25 day cycle. Just this last month I have had what seemed like a very light period in the middle ie what I thought was ovulation time. Also general menstruation now begins lightly, stops for 2 days and then goes on for 5 more . Not heavy as used to be but lots of cramping. With this period I have anxiety and sore, constantly erect nipples, which makes no sense to me! Anyone else had boob trouble?!

My boobs itch!

Well, in answer to your questions, Jorseb, I should get my results back tomorrow to find out if my hormone levels are normal or indicating perimenopause.

My periods are pretty much as pertempsnooohas described, boobs also sore, too.

My skin is itchy and much drier, and my hair is very, very dry and much thinner than it used to be. I'm also tired all the time.

The reason why I think I'm not, is because my anxiety and snappiness, and the trouble that I used to have trying to keep a lid on my temper, has very much subsided.

I used to almost feel a rage building up inside me and this went on for months and months over things that that wouldn't used to have bothered me. To put it bluntly, I was a cow, had no self confidence left, and didn't feel myself at all.

Everything in the last two paragraphs has got much better, which makes me think that maybe it's not the menopause, after all.

I'm hoping that I'm not, as I don't want the anxiety and my bad temperedness to come back.

I'm also thinking of starting a FT course within the next couple of years, so could do without having all the horrendous menopause symptoms to wade through on top of everything else.

Welcome to pertempsnoo!

My hair is horrendous too Misfitless. I never thought that bad hair was a perimenopause symptom but my doctor says it is. I loose loads of hair, much thinner than it was a few years ago and it's dry and brittle and has no shine to it. I'm really hoping HRT will solve thia problem. My bad hair has knocked my confidence as i always had lovely, thick, glossy, healthy hair. It's such a shame. My moods this past couple of weeks haven't been too bad and no night sweats. I reckon it's because my hormones are behaving at the moment! Reckon i'll become a real miserable moody bitch in the next few days though as my period is due in 2 weeks. I always find now that i get awful PMT 2 whole weeks before a period. What's even more annoying is that the period only lasts about a day and a half and very light. I just think all that 2 weeks of misery for bloody nothing!!!

I feel tired constantly and my boobs itch from time to time.

Misfitless how did you go with your hormone results?

Hi Jorseb,

Phoned yesterday, the results were back but hadn't been checked by the doctor. Receptionist said leave it till Wednesday. Thanks

Missfitless did u get your results?
How is everyone ?

So had my appointment with the endocrinologist today and she confirmed it's premature menopause. She thinks the cause is autoimmune because of my thyroid problems and said I'm very high risk of developing other autoimmune problems including eye problems causing my dry eyes. She's running a whole bunch of tests to check I don't already have other problems and will have a bone density scan. Starting on HRT too - the estalis sequi patches (I'm in Australia so not sure if the name is the same in other countries). She also said if they don't help my libido she'll start me on testosterone.
I was so nervous before going to see her, I convinced my self she'd just tell me it's all in my head. She was great :) and helped that I used to work with her years ago when she was a junior dr :)
I have the patches ready to go so hopefully it'll help without too many side effects...

Oh that's great, Jorseb...that it's getting sorted, and you should be feeling better soon, I mean.

Well, I phoned up the receptionist and she said everything looks normal. Tbh, I don't even know if she was looking at the right result, as they tested for loads of things. I can't speak to a nurse till next Tuesday, so will have to wait till then to have them fully explained to me.

I'm sure it'll come back as all in the normal range, though.

If they come back normal, do I have to leave the thread?

That's great if they come back normal. Can I ask, did you have the tests done when you weren't having symptoms? My last lots if tests I had done my gp said it was only worthwhile doing when having hot flushes etc... Even my endocrinologist said that until the ovaries stop working all together it is possible to ovulate during peri menopause and for the results to return a normal level. Maybe ask your dr to check them again if it all returns (hopefully for you they don't)

My FHS was normal. It freaked me out because I have so many of the symptoms. But looks like they can change a lot at this stage.
I am thinking of trying some natural progesterone cream. Anyone used this?

Phew! Just read somewhere that feelings of anxiety and dread are normal. So apparently, I'm not going completely nuts!

I've had the feeling that everyone at work hates me. Ok, so I guess there is a real possibility that it's true, but common sense says it's probably not. Some days are better than others and I feel all loved and happy, but most days, I have conspiracy theories running through my head - 'they're all out to get me' stuff. Am I going nuts or are there others out there with the same kind of feelings?

This board was such a relief to stumble upon. I am 36 and have been taking HRT for the past 2 months for premature ovarian failure. I was having typical menopause symptoms for a while and I finally talked to my doctor about it...all the tests came back saying I was menopausal.
I'm using a bioidentical patch called Minivelle and taking progesterone (I'm in the US). The hot flashes have ceased which is great, but the fluctuations in my mood have not improved much and I still have days that I am so incredibly exhausted. It is really hard to deal with. I just get so negative and anxious about everything. Very draining...can not stand feeling this way.

I was curious to know, of those that have started HRT, have you talked to your doctors or have you started an anti-anxiety or anti-depression drug? I don't like the idea of taking anything else, but at this point I feel so down all the time, I wonder if that might be want I need.

hohum....
Thanks.

I found somewhere where I feel normal!

Have been having symptoms for a couple of years. Mainly heavy heavy periods and flooding. In the last 8 weeks migranes with aura, palpitations, and periods have tailed off I last two months. This month was 2 weeks late, last month early but very very light. Month before that was very heavy!

Thinning hair at the side of my head
Very sore hips ( I tried taking up running and speed walking but it's caused joint pain)
Seriously anxious
Not really depressed but all of the above is making me feel low.

At 28 I had FSHf 7 and I was told the. I was heading for early menopause. Fsh since has ranged from 7 to 16. I've just had another this month but I'm not really sure if I got day 2 properly due to stupid flow!

Dr made me feel bloody awful for keep going in saying I'm feeling lousy, she put me on heart monitor loads of blood tests and said it's just stress and anxiety. I think it's proper peri menopause but what can I do?