Not sure if symptoms are linked and menopausal or not!

[OvertiredandConfused]

I turned 45 a couple of months ago. Since then, all sorts of things have happened and I'm wondering if they're related and possibly linked to the menopause in some way.

I've had bleeding almost constantly - maybe about a week with nothing before it starts again. I have a mirena coil and have previously had irregular, light periods.

I've gained 7lbs and feel permanently hungry / craving sugary crap. This is out of character as I lost nearly 4 st three years ago and, with a few minor setbacks, I've maintained my weight fairly easily. I've never had cravings or struggled the way I am at the moment

My joints, especially hips and knees (always a bit dodgy just like my mum and grandmother) have been very painful and on a couple of occasions I've actually called out in pain when my knee has given way or I've turned in my hip in the night

I'm constantly tired. Bone-achingly tired. Worried I'll sleep past my stop on the train home in the evening tired

Interest in sex is zero. Quite dry down below as well.

Finding it hard to concentrate or motivate myself at work as easily as I usually do - quite a big, demanding job.

Definitely no hot flushes!

Can't decide if this is all related or a coincidence of minor things. Any point seeing my GP?

Umm... sounds suspiciously peri-menopausal, I'm afraid. That all sounds awfully familiar.

But go and see your GP, as there are plenty of options which can help.

Thanks, I think, Cointreau.

It's kind of what I was expecting, but not really sure what to say, ask for or expect from my GP and was hoping for some examples and suggestions. Given I'm still having having more periods and no hot flushes which are two classic signs, I'm worried I'll be dismissed if I don't go armed a bit more.

I'm confused :)
If you have the Mirena coil then you ought not to be having periods very often at all- most women don't- or if you are, then they ought to be light and you ought not to be bleeding all the time. This is a reason to see your GP anyway in case the coil has migrated or is not working for some reason- is it due to be replaced soon?

How long have you had it? Reason for asking is that in some women it can cause side effects such as weight gain and tiredness because it is a synthetic progestogen and can cause PMT type symptoms in some women- other women think it's the best thing ever.

Joint pain is a symptom of peri meno for some women- though not all by any means.

When you say you are having 'more periods' do you mean these are coming more often or that you are confused that you are having what could be peri symptoms when you are still having periods (at all.)?

Everyone has a different experience of the menopause. You might have periods and flushes or periods and no flushes. some women don't have any flushes at all until their periods stop for good ( like me, at 54) others have them for years even though their periods are there but perhaps with shorter or longer cycles.

Might be good for you to read one of the many books around on the meno so you can see that there are so many variations on what women experience - sorry if this sounds like a lecture but just trying to be factual in as few words as possible!

And only see your dr if you want to discuss the coil and what's going on there or maybe HRT- with the Mirena you'd only need oestrogen because the coil is giving you the progestogen element.

Thanks pinkfrocks

My periods never stopped with the mirena - typically quite light and fairly regular with the odd month off. I'm two years in now and had it checked about a year ago as I had a couple of much heavier periods. All seemed fine. I'm not really a huge fan as I think it did cause weight gain at the start. But I did have very heavy periods and life has been much better overall so I've stuck with it....

More periods means that I'm having them more often - light bleeding and spotting almost daily with respite for just a few days to a week then starting again. And this sugar / food craving is coming from somewhere! Even colleagues have noticed that I'm eating stuff they've never seen me eat!

Very happy to read more - I'm looking for reliable places to get information. What would you recommend?

It's quite odd to have spotting etc with a Mirena because in my friends who had this it was down to low progesterone and they were given progestogens as a treatment.

Book

www.menopausematters.co.uk/index.php

This site is good. There is an article called 'The Perils of Perimenopause' on it, somewhere, which is good.

The main reason for giving up on Mirena as contraception is bleeding problems, so it does not stop bleeding for some women. Howevever, if it is an improvement for you, it is probably worth sticking with. You can get vaginal oestrogen to help with the dryness problems, or moisturisers from the chemist.

If you have further problems, you can use oestrogen patches or gels with it.

It is worth looking at diet and exercise to help with joints - fish oils, vit d3 help. Have a look at low glycaemic diets if you are craving sugars, and maybe check you are not developing diabetes, as this is not uncommon at this age! I have a friend who suddenly developed a need for chocolate bars, but lost weight. He found he had diabetes but it is controlled by diet alone.

I had a Merina for 9 months and had almost constant spotting. I had it removed 5 months ago and it stopped. From what I've read, it's a common reason for having it removed. The Merina didn't agree with me at all (caused acne too). So glad it's gone.