I think I’m peri-menopausal. I’m 38 and my mum had an early menopause at 39. I haven’t yet been to the doctor to have my hormone levels measured but my periods have been fluctuating for the last 2-3 years (about a year after I had DD2). About 2 years ago I was having periods about every 6 months that were so heavy I was soaking a super plus tampon in half an hour, they were also incredibly painful. These were punctuated by much lighter periods. Now, in year 3 I am having a one-two day period about once every two weeks that seems to be made up of old brown blood and some brown clots. They are also very light. It’s worth mentioning that I am so have PCOS so have always had erratic periods but never like this (i.e I would have a period once every 6 months or so but it would last 5-7 days and be normal red blood).
I am also finding that I am getting angry, impatient and anxious, have no libido, cannot lose weight and am also growing a substantial amount of facial hair (joy!). I also have days of feeling quite down even though there is nothing really wrong.
My question is about HRT; I’m scared of going through menopause without any kind of ‘help’. My mum was a maniac with the menopause and I feel like I’m too young to be like that and my DDs are too young to have a mother completely altered by the menopause (they are 6 and 4). Unfortunately I had a PE in the latter stages of pregnancy with DD1 so now I don’t think I will be able to take anything with artificial hormones such as HRT but I don’t know anything about alternatives or even if I can take anything else to help manage the symptoms once they hit me like a ton of bricks.
I know I have to see the doctor but to be honest just the thought of it is giving me major anxiety.
Thanks for reading my slightly long and ranty post.