Perimenopause at 37???

[Curlybrunette]

Hey,
I'm writing for your advice, I've read a few of the perimenopause threads on here and think my symptoms are a little different (no hot sweats, headaches, anxiety, or change in sex drive).
I've had the Mirena coil for ages (around 13 years), I don't have an periods and it suits me really well. I've discussed with my gp at the last coil change and she said if it's suiting me then I should stay on it to my mid to late 50s till I should be well into menopause. I’m nearly 38 now.
My issues started in Sep 2018 when I started to notice a lot of breast aches, never pain but aching. Both breasts, sometimes felt deep inside, sometimes on the skin, sometimes feels like the hormonal feeling you get when breast feeding. I had a bit of a panic and went to the gp who said it was normal, had a good feel but said I didn’t need to worry.
Since last September I’ve been back 4 times in total, it just seems odd that I’ve never felt anything but now my boobs ache all the time. The last time I went a saw a different gp who said that it’s oestrogen that causes breast issues and I really don’t need to worry. If I’m happy on the coil otherwise then it’s fine. She recommended taking starflower which I’m on, but haven’t noticed any improvement.
I’ve always worn thongs but in the last few months I feel like I smell by the afternoon and they’re uncomfortable, like the shape doesn’t fit me anymore. I get some discharge but not anything I would say was abnormal. My mum has always worn a panty liner as she says she gets (normal) discharge so I think mine is also normal. Wearing normal pants has made it better, I don’t feel smelly anymore.
In the last couple of weeks I feel uncomfortable down below. A bit like the very start of cystitis but it hasn’t got worse. I wouldn’t say I’m suffering vaginal dryness, I’m just uncomfortable, with a very slight burning feeling.
So really my question is does this sound perimenopausal, and if so what should I do? Is it worth going to the doctors, is there anything they could actually do? I feel (wrongly) that the docs will just think it’s another women moaning about her hormones, plus at 37 I know I am young for it.
Thanks for letting me vent, I feel slightly out of control of my body at the moment!

Following with interest. I’m 36 and have bee experiencing similar symptoms, with the delightful inclusion of anxiety.

I’m not on any contraception and my cycle has gone from 30 days (on the nose) to 35ish days.

My DM suggested the perimenopause and the symptoms seem to fit...

You are not too young for peri-menopause, and if that is what's going on, you need to start HRT to protect your heart and bone density. It should also help tremendously with all the symptoms you've been having. Given that blood tests are not accurate in diagnosing peri, don't waste your time with a gp. You need to see a specialist who can also make sure your thyroid is functioning properly.

www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/113666670/perimenopause-lead-up-to-menopause-very-uncomfortable-and-poorly-understood

I was peri meno at 38, it's not unusual.

Some of the most common side effects of the Mirena coil are breast tenderness, itching and infection.

Maybe what suited you fine for years might not be suitable now - I’d be tempted to try a different form of non-hormonal contraception and see if your symptoms go away first. GPs can be dismissive of the side effects of hormonal contraception but I felt like a completely different person (not in a good way) when taking the pill.

I started peri at 39 and was in full meno at 42 and started hrt.

To be honest if you have ongoing breast pain and discomfort, your GP should refer you to a breast clinic for some investigations and most likely reassurance. 'Feeling' doesn't always spot everything. It's probably nothing, as it's both breasts, but you ought to be seen by an expert.

None of your symptoms except the possible dryness/ loss of estrogen affecting your vulva- you don't have any of peri- sound like menopause.

Evening primrose oil is recommended for breast tenderness but this is when it's cyclical and yours doesn't seem to be.

Your GP ought to do blood tests for peri and send you to a breast clinic.

Don’t too early, but it could be something else hormonal going on.

You need to see your doctor and go through this with him. Yes, Perimenopause is a possibility I suppose but that's become a rather convenient peg to hang all women's health issues on recently.

Women do themselves a disservice by assuming every health issue they have past about 32 simply MUST be due to peri. It's not true and I'd be looking for other causes in your case as a first instance

Polly the OP says she has seen her dr and was told to take star flower.

@JinglingHellsBells that's as may be. My comment was more to stress that women shouldn't try and twist every single symptom they ever experience as perimenopause.

Thanks everyone.
When it was 'just' breast aches (once I'd decided it wasn't something more sinister) I was fine with that but the dodgy feelings down below isn't something I want to live with. The benefit of not having periods is a big one for me.
I feel like I'd like a proper chat with a women's health specialist rather than a gp who I've got a 5 minute slot with. The last one I saw was lovely and she did explain about the breast ache side effect with the Mirena.
I agree that not everything after the age of 35 should just be labelled as peri or menopausal but for me it definitely feels like my hormones have shifted in some way so seems easier to describe it that way!