Peri-menopause

[Littlebo100]

Hi I'm 40 I've been having a lot of hormonal issues, irratic periods, cyclical low moods and irrationality. Tests came back negative for menopause but the doctor said it could be peri-menopause. I've been offered the combined pill to manage the symptoms. Can you ladies share with me your experiences of using the pill in this way. Did it help you? Thank you for sharing, I'm trying to decide if I should go for it or try natural alternatives and diet changes first.

You are too young for menopause and you absolutely need hrt for your bones, skin and heart.
Natural alternatives aren’t helpful for protecting your health from longterm consequences of estrogen loss.
The combined pill can help or you can try hrt seq type.

If your period cycles vary by more than a week then you may well be peri-menopausal and could be heading for an early menopause. Your doctor should carry out two blood tests 4-6 weeks apart and ideally on the 3rd- 5th day of your cycle. Even so blood tests are unreliable and if they are consistently showing normal FSH levels and your periods continue to be erratic then your doc should carry out other tests to find out the cause - eg thyroid function which I understand can sometimes lead to period changes if upset?

The CCP is a good option at your age because it will regulate your cycle as well as providing oestrogen. I have just posted on another thread about Qlaira and Zoely which contain the same oestrogen that our ovaries make and that is in most HRT nowadays - and is therefore much gentler than the strong synthetic oestrogens of the traiditonal CCP types. I would go for it ( one of these two) at this point - what have you got to lose?