Peri-Menopause Symptoms

[Daphnesmate]

Hi, I have a collection of symptoms that seem to match those of the peri-menopause:

weak bladder
Irritable bowel, especially on the run up to periods (which seem to be pushing out a bit farther apart)
Itchy, soreness down below - currently trying estirol cream

Moody irritable (far more than usual)

Eyesight has deteriorated in the past year. I am 45 and I was told about 5 years ago that I was headed for an early menopause by fertility consultant following tests but I also have health anxiety and I'm worrying that something more sinister might be happening (bladder issues currently being investigated by GP - no infection flagging up).

I feel like I'm going slightly mad prattling on about the peri-menopause to the GP but the symptoms seem to fit. Anyone else had any of the above symptoms (or any others)?

Forgot to say, GP looked, no sign of thrush/redness etc. it's like some sort of fantasy itch! I thought it was getting better a few days ago after a week or so on estirol/two weeks on steroid cream so I had a hot bath to celebrate and now I seem to be back to square one! Feeling a bit low about it, especially as GP said women just have to live with itchy bits! I'll live with it after I've seen a dermatologist thank you (private health insurance). Swab taken but not heard back so I am assuming nothing found this is so frustrating and I seem to be ping ponging back and forth to the GP which just makes it look as if my health anxiety as gone into a frenzy. Also, been prescribed a low dose of citalopram. Anyone?

I completely understand! I had too severe symptoms when my peri started 2 years ago. I was convinced that I had a terminal illness and my energy was too low. I was almost suicidal.

What symptoms did you experience Emerald if you don't mind me asking? There isn't anyone in real life that I feel I can talk to really. It is difficult to determine whether I have a collection of individual symptoms especially as I only gave birth 14 months ago or whether it is indeed the peri-menopause but according to my fertility tests etc. I fit the bill completely, in terms of age, ovarian reserve etc. I just feel there is such a lack of information about all of this and you're just left to get on with things. The GP I saw last time was about my age but seemed totally unsympathetic really, perhaps she is one of the lucky ones who is pretty unaffected by their hormones. At the moment this all feels pretty grim.

Mine started with a bang about 2 years ago. I had a wide variety of symptoms which one gp said was too spread out and didn’t really connect to be anything other than the menopause. That is after I had seen several doctors, at the surgery and casualty and through referral! In my head I ricocheted from one terminal illness to another. In fact whilst walking up the stairs once I diagnosed myself with 3 separate illnesses!

My symptoms included palpitations, nausea, dry eyes, change in eyesight, feeling tired, insomnia, aches in various joints, feeling bloated, etc etc etc.

The first one was the palpitations which caused me to go to a&e several times thinking I was having a heart attack. Eventually I was referred to cardiologist who was the same age as me and after testing she said my heart was very healthy and it was peri menopause causing these symptoms.

A few months ago I was back at gp surgery and saw a young female doctor who said that you don’t get palpitations in menopause - I will not be seeing her again!

Keep trying at the surgery as you need to find a doctor who understands the menopause. Or ask to be referred to a menopause clinic. Also keep chatting on here as lots of us are going through it so there is always support around.

I had insomnia, night sweats, aches, brain fog, depression, dry mouth and dry eyes, very light periods and nausea, suicidal thoughts, low confidence and so on. It was a real nightmare and shock for me. I am 43.

I saw something on tv on Friday that mentioned brain fog. I knew about tiredness and being grumpy/irritated and I'm told the feeling of being totally overwhelmed is part of this too.

At some point in the last few days my brain fog has cleared. I didn't know I had it but I feel so different now it must be that. How did I not know? (I'm just hoping it won't come back).

Oh yes, forgot about the brain fog and that feeling of being overwhelmed but with two youngish children and a teenager it is difficult to determine what is related to symptoms and what is just part of everyday life. Not had sweats yet, I think this is one of the more definite symptoms.

Oh thank god I found this thread! I suddenly don’t feel so alone. I’m thinking something is going on with me and I think I’ve been peri menopausal for a while.
I’m only 39 but I’ve been having ridiculous night sweats (literally wiping water off myself), horrible periods, irritability off the Richter scale, fatigue, dry eyes, palpitations and bloating but this has been going on for years!
This month though I got a bit of a shock. My periods last a good 5/6 days normally. I had a one day period! Sort of couldn’t believe my luck as after years of awful periods this felt like a blessing 😆 I’ve been googling the hell out of it and it all seems to point to the menopause.

Hi Mellow, I'm waiting to see what happens with my period this month, I am convinced it was a lot shorter last month because if it is it will sort of validate my other symptoms I think. I am ping-ponging back and forth to the GP at the moment just in case there is something else going on - it is playing havoc with my health anxiety.

I am 47. Itchy inner lips here as well. Dr gave me steroid cream but not very effective. Have had itchy lady lips for at least 4 years along with breast cysts, no libido, bags under eyes, palpitations, irregular periods, rage, anxiety, painful joints at certain times in menstrual cycle.....bloody awful. Can't wait to actually hit menopause.

@Daphnesmate
I’m going to wait for my next cycle and see what happens. If it’s a weird one I’ll definitely be off to the GP and I’ll be asking for my Hormones to be checked.
I hate the anxiety that’s coming with these symptoms. Everything feels slightly overwhelming!

Hi Mellow, I am feeling overwhelmed too. My periods keep coming every month and I'm not getting hot flushes so nothing definitive.

Sherlock, yes the itchy bits - my GP gave me steroid cream and I'm not convinced it's done much. I asked for estriol (oestrogen pessary) and I think that has done more. Itching is weird some times it is more noticeable than other times. I thought whatever it was had calmed down and I had a hot bath and it seemed to flare up again. Going to purchase some daktarin with hydrocortisone and if that doesn't work ask to be referred to a specialist. Libido is rubbish too. Not sure how much is situational though with having a toddler in the house and running around all day.

Also I have started growing slightly thicker darker hair on the very bottom of my chin. It’s only noticeable up close luckily (at the moment) but I’m not sure whether to bleach it! I don’t want to start waxing it yet
Anyone else experiencing it?

Mellow, you might need to start a new thread for your question, otherwise it might be missed.

Regards the itchy bits thing, the GP said that some women just have to live with it but I would like a referral to someone who specialises in these things before I take her word for it!

@Daphesmate

Are you still using the estriol cream? Is this Ovestin? Ah- seeit's Vagifem. You need ovestin cream to apply externally.

You need to keep using it, forever, often. (I'm in my 12thyear of it.)
As well as using it internally (if you are...) apply it to the labia.
If you have stopped using it that is perhaps why it's itching again.

GP is pretty stupid to say you have to live with it- what a joke FFS!
Go back and ask for Ovestin. Itchy labia is a classic sign of low estrogen. You may also need systemic (full) HRT if you are heading for an early menopause.

@Daphnesmate- as above- typo for your name.

Stop using the steroid cream too.

If it doesn't stop, ask for a referral to a gynae or dermatologist who can assess you for lichen sclerosus- doesn't sound like that, but worth checking it out.

Thanks Jingling. Two GPs have now looked in that department, they don't think it is lichen s. also swap taken nothing detected. Will ask for a referral, not sure if it falls under gynae or dermatologist.

How long did the cream take to work Jingling...can you remember. The itching does seem to fluctuate a bit but always there in the background. I thought I had cracked it, then took a hot bath and I think this might have aggravated things - do hot baths affect this kind of thing do you know?
Seeing GP shortly, requesting a referral. I thought it was a pretty stupid thing to say that I have to live with it - will switch GPs I think, unfortunately, the one that specialises is very part-time so appointments are scarce.

Get on HRT asap. It's a lifesaver.

Vagisil is good for itching. It's just over £4 in most supermarkets and chemists, but only £2.99 in Home Bargains. I can manage without it in the day but use it most nights.

@Daphnesmate

You may not need a referral, only longer term use of topical estrogen.
You need to use it for 14 days non-stop, then at least 2x a week and more to get results. It took my bladder 6 months to improve, but the itching less than that. Sorry but can't remember but weeks not days.

Things like Vagisil are not really suitable- don't go down that road as they can make it worse long term. Doctors do not recommend it.

Yes, hot baths will make it worse as they inflame the skin. Stick to cool showers.

I take vagifem for the itching, but it isn't a cream it's inserted internally with a long thin applicator. The cystitis/ thrush is a lot better than it used to be.

Thanks Jingling. I used the cream for about 10 days and felt better, said to dh I am feeling better, then I had a hot bath and I seem to be back near the start again, so no more hot baths. I will carry on with the topical estrogen and see what happens. Hoping it helps with the bladder thing as well, gave birth to a big baby 14 months ago, C-section but put on loads of weight, suffered incontinence a bit for several months - that seems to have eased, just put the bladder thing down to this. No blood in urine but GP has referred me for a bladder/pelvis scan, mainly to reassure me I think but waiting for the examination is aggravating my health anxiety, not easing it.

@Kahlua4me.. I was told the same thing originally.. that palps are not a symptom of Peri. Since then I saw another gp and said all my symptoms inc palps were mentioned on the tv as part of menopause awareness week and she agreed. She won't test my hormones yet but a urine sample showed up blood so I have to do two follow up samples the next 2 months. It's really hard as I feel impending doom round every corner and it's despairing..But at least we're not alone in our suffering ladies!