Menopause...do I?..don’t I?

[Lou2019]

After a few months of genuinely under the weather my symptoms have increased quite rapidly in the last few weeks. I have been suffering night sweats, migraines although this isn’t new to me. Severe bouts of sudden dizziness. Nausea, moods, depression, hot flushes, exhaustion and loss of hair. I’m 44 and have always been proud of the fact that I have always looked younger, been fit and felt positive. After starting to believe that I am suffering from some terrible illness I have come to the realisation thanks to google that I may be starting menopause. After viewing the possible results and future life with menopause I’m terrified, embarrassed, scared, feeling old, useless and certainly unattractive. At this point any view, personal experience or general advice that my life is not now slowly going downhill would be amazing. Thank you

Lou, go and see your GP. A simple blood test will tell you if you are right. You will also be given advice about HRT and you can decide whether or not it's right for you (I took it for three months but it was about then that the HRT/cancer scare started so I stopped taking it, but things have moved on considerably since then).

Pre-menopause, I looked younger than my age too. Post menopause (12 years and counting), I still look younger than my age. You will too. It's not the end of the world, truly.

Are you also suffering from an overwhelming desire to wear cardigans, comfy flat shoes and trousers with an elasticated waistband?

Oh, and are reading glasses becoming a necessity?

Don't worry, everything is fine. Honestly.

My advice would be to go to the doctor's - don't suffer. Most of what you've said was me 12 months ago. Am now 6+ months into HRT and feeling more myself. I'm 49, by the way. I only got married last year and my poor husband didn't know what had hit him I was so moody!

Oh, and I started losing my hair - a patch at the top of my head. It grew back.
Chin up, then.

I am almost out the other side. Didn't resort to HRT. The sweats were the worst. I didn't get too many hot flushes though.

You kinda have two options- embrace the fact that your house will be amazingly clean every am because night sweats:insomnia mean it’s easier to just get up and clean like a mad woman or let the little orange tablets become your best friend....
Semi joking but semi serious.. it’s pants but survivable.. I tried for a while then gave up and take my hrt every am... life is much more survivable on it than off

Thank you for your replies, much appreciated, it’s strange because I’m not normally one to panic about things and I have stated many times in the past that I would welcome menopause because I find periods a painful nuisance but now it seems it has arrived I very much underestimated it. I think it goes to say your never too old to learn and I learnt a lesson today, do not google everything, thank you again

Haha this made me laugh thank you

You've had some good replies here but the bottom line is you are quite young for this and the medical advice is if you are near menopause (final period) before 45, it's called an early menopause and you ought to use HRT to prevent bone loss and heart disease in 10 years ' time.

The risks with HRT (tiny) do not apply to younger women. You are topping up your own hormones. The advice from medics is to use HRT to age 51 at least but if there are not risks for you, it can be taken for life, with annual reviews.

See a good dr who knows about this!

Hi,

Can I join to your company ?😊 I am 48, have a lot of premenopausal symptoms.
I have appointment with GP on Monday, because I am on 60 day of my cycle... Last week I felt like I will have my period in a minute, but this stopped and now I feel good. Don't understand nothing...
I even bought a pregnancy test, which of course is negative.
Also near five years I'm suffering from depression, panic attacks, heart palpitation and etc...

Are you still having regular periods? My GP told me that I cant be menopausal whilst having regular periods, even though they are now only 3-4 days but heavy. I leaked twice last month

At your age you should 100% go on HRT to prevent bone loss. I'm on it and it's AMAZING. I feel like my old self.

My period from last year are irregular, but I didn't had 60 days cycle before.
Why I am worrying is that on those days when my period should come I feel like it is coming, but nothing...
Maybe I was naive because I thought that these periods will stop suddenly and with no pain ☺️

I started HRT same age as you and it has worked a treat. I plan to stay on until at least 51 for the good of my bones.

My GP told me that I cant be menopausal whilst having regular periods, even though they are now only 3-4 days but heavy.

There is some confusion going on.

Peri menopause is the time leading up to a final period. It can last for years.

Post menopause is the time (for the rest of your life) after your last period.

When women say they are 'menopausal' usually they are describing peri menopause.

So yes, you can't be menopausal if you have periods. You are in perimenopause.

I am wondering or GP can help with this perimenopause or they should make a referral to the gynaecologist?
Who is deciding or you have good balance of hormones or you have imbalance?