Peri menopause symptoms

[foxinsocks]

I'm 42 this month. Have always had horrendous periods - really heavy and painful my whole life. Both mother and her mother had early hysterectomies because of it so I have no idea what age natural menopause might be in my family.

I am making an appointment with the doctor as I have started spotting between my periods (almost as soon as it's finished, it starts again) but speaking to a friend who has been through menopause, this is how hers started (will get it checked out in case it's something more serious)..

Having looked up the symptoms, I am amazed to see it helps describe a hell of a lot I have been going through. I never have trouble sleeping, no matter the stress, but the last few months I've had massive trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Have also been a bit more weepy than normal.

Does anyone know what the doctor is likely to do (I imagine they will do a smear to look for other issues) and should I push for a hormone test?

Also have been getting headaches etc and I never have them. Have always been v sensitive to my own hormones grrr!

If your doctor is anything like mine, she will laugh at you and tell you you're being ridiculous.

I'm also 42 and experiencing spotting, really heavy periods (though regular), low mood, rage, hair greasy and falling out, spots. Like you, my DM and DGM both had hysterectomies so I've no idea when I should expect the menopause.

Pretty sure I'm peri though, by reading on here. Just not sure what to do about it...

Yes my hair has been falling out and greasy for years. I went to the doc for that a few years ago and they tested my thyroid and everything was ok.

I paid to see a private gynae about 5 years ago, just to see if there were any other options with my insanely heavy/painful periods and he mentioned at that time that although my ovaries looked fine, I had slightly unusual hormone readings but at the time, they weren't a concern.

I am thinking it might be worth paying for another appointment if the GP won't take me seriously (and knowing my Gp I would say that was incredibly likely).

The problem is I bet those blood tests for hormones are bloody expensive if you have to pay for them :(

But like you, I'd like to know. I had a horrendous month this month with a normal awful period plus the usual day before of PMT. Period normally finished and I feel relieved except this time it felt like PMT all over again and 2 days later, I started spotting!

I definitely won't be able to cope with years of this plus the headaches etc.!

Sorry meant to say period normally finishes and then I feel relieved...

Tbh the lack of sleep is a problem for me especially as I usually sleep so well. Have a FT job plus a long commute plus 2 teens and life without proper sleep will be hard! It definitely feels hormonal if you know what I mean...