Am I perimenopausal? - Help!

[Ceetee23]

Hi, could anyone who is going/been through this help me?
I am very nearly 41 and my cycles have gone from 29 to 24 days. I do have random insomnia now and again and crushing exhaustion a couple of times a month and memory issues sometimes but the hardest by far to bear are the psychological symptoms.
I have an anger and rage at certain times of the month I barely recognise myself, I can get so very low and hopeless and I can get anxious and anti social. I’m becoming harder to live with and feel like a bad mum at times.
What is so hard is that some days I feel utterly normal and it’s wonderful. Other days I’m battling the above and feel like in the last year or so I’m changing as a person!
The hardest times are always just as my period finishes where my stress is sky high and I find it hard to cope and during ovulation.

Are perimenopausal symptoms constant or intermittent or random?
Do people recognise the above in them?
What should my next step be?

I have always been sensitive to hormone shifts having had pnd twice. I have the mirena coil.

Thanks all xxx

If your cycles are getting shorter then it could be a sign of perimenopause. Getting agitated easily is also part of perimenopause. Look for perimenopause symptoms and if you think you have those then visit your GP for FSH test.
But here is the thing, you have mirena. Mirena is also known to cause ovarian cyst and if you have started getting pelvic pains along with your period and mid cycle then it could be a cyst that is causing irregular periods.
Also if you had mirena insertion a long time ago , more than 5 years then you need to get it changed because an out of date mirena would cause irregular periods and the symptoms of rage is because of Mirena crash. So a lot depends on your personal circumstances but if your quality of life is getting affected it is time to visit your GP.

Thanks so much for your reply. I had mirena about a year ago now, I did wonder if that had caused my cycles to reduce. I think I have always had ovulation pain long before Mirena though.
I visited my gp a Few months back and she did a blood test and just received a ‘no further action’ text. I went back to discuss and she didn’t seem to know what to do. I understand that unless you’re very far into menopause the blood tests may not show much at all.

Sorry to hear you're feeling so horrendous. You're not alone! The last few months my cycles have gone from a regular 28 days to 24. Like you i have always had very fluctuating hormones but i have stopped all contraception. I get really tearful at the slightest thing and have really sore swollen breasts atm. I'm 48 and there's no way I'm pregnant! It must be peri. Also have insomnia and palpitations. No night sweats as yet. The exhaustion can be very sudden and like you i get days where i feel great but it seems that 2 weeks before every period my hormones drop and I get cramping too right up to the period.
I just want to be in bed all the time! I know what you mean about feeling like a bad mum. I have a 6yo and it's exhausting esp holidays.
I keep meaning to go to the doctor. But i know what they'll say.
Good luck x

OP I had very similar mood swings to you.

HRT was transformational. Mood swings have gone, I still have insomnia but cope so much better now.

Do go & see your GP.

Sorry to hear you are struggling too BooseysMom, funny you mention it as my boobs have been really tender too and I’ve never had that before! Also getting a few spots pre period and never had those before either! Sounds like we both might be in the peri zone! I’m sorry it’s tough for you too but also comforting to hear others experience similar.

Really positive to hear your experience UntamedWisteria, I’ll go back to the doctors. She said she would have a think about it and get back to me and I think that was 4/5 weeks ago!! I have Mirena so figure I could have oestrogen from the GP. Did it take you long to balance out once you were treated? Xxx

Me too, op. It's shit. I'm horrible.

It feels so unfair we have to go through this. I hope we all find something that helps 🙏🏻 Xxx

I was in the same boat, 2 years ago at 41. I was feeling awful, almost suicidal and it was definitely hormonal. My periods were regular but too light and my FSH high enough.

Feeling the same. GP didn’t do any blood tests and told me to look at a website (menopause matters.) Thanks, id already done my own research and was asking for professional help. Feel utterly alone.

Did you find something that helped @Emerald13?

What is going on with GP’s @shrumps?! Not helpful At all.

I don't know if it helps anyone else but my insomnia and severe PMS improved once I started b6 and magnesium. I am in peri too. Doesn't affect period but the supplement have certainly helped with the rage and I feel much calmer. B6 and magnesium was used for severe PMS cases before doctors started preserving birth control pilss and there is a lot of research on it if anyone is interested. Also you will feel much calmer during the day if you can control your blood sugar levels from spiking and dipping. So eat something every 2 hrs, even if it is a handful of nuts or may be half a glass of milk or some fruit. Sugar spikes affect your hormonal levels and it is worst in perimenopause.

Thanks I have taken B6 and starflower oil for a while but will try the magnesium also xxx

Make a list of symptoms and talk through with GP. I didn’t even get to the end of the list and she prescribed me HRT. Best thing I ever did. I’m 46 and been on it for about 18 months. I thought I was going mad!!

Thanks I will do that and make another appt. fingers crossed. Really glad it has helped you xxx

Ceetee23 I tried some types of hrt and I am on Femoston 2/10, no symptoms but I have sometimes health anxiety for taking hrt starting so young. It is my only concern, everything else is just normal as before.

Thanks that’s good to know. I hope things continue to go well for you xxx

Thank you Ceetee!:)

@Ceetee23.. thanks for your msg. It's like having pmt permanently! I get those spots too and also cramps. It's my birthday today and i felt like crying and hitting DH this morning but feeling better now i've been out for a walk. I find exercise and getting outside really helps me. Hope you feel better too

Ah rubbish isn’t it. Happy birthday to you, hopefully better times ahead! I agree I’m better out the house and at work. Home life brings out the worst in me at the moment! Xx

Thank you ceetee.
I'm trying my best to do this without hrt as DM had breast cancer although the gp has told me the risk is miniscule. Agree that being at home not helping!

Yes I’ve seen a lot of people on here with concerns about HRT because of family history. I don’t know enough about it yet but I need to do something as quality of life is seriously affected.
Will see what the doctor says and I might even pay to be referred somewhere suitable if no joy so I can see someone who knows about hormones xxx

Hi Ceetee..Exactly! What else puts me off is the amount of people on here who have had bad side effects. It's weighing it up against the severity of the symptoms you're suffering with. I know some have advised to try Menopace as it's worked for them but then others have said their particular type of hrt worked wonders!
I'm feeling much better today after AF started. The bleed is light the cramp worse this month. Last month it was vice versa! t's getting more frequent. I'm going to just monitor things.
Good luck and i hope you manage to get some relief from your symptoms xxx

Glad there is some relief even if just temporary. The odd glimmer of light is heavenly! I’m there too at the moment. Good luck to you too xxx