Is 42 early for perimenopause?

[ghostmous3]

I'm 43 in a week but for about 8 months my symptoms have been getting worse

Always been very regular but the last 18 months my periods were about every 24 to 26 days then I started spotting mid to late cycle. I had a polyp removed last December then things settled with the spotting for a few months. This month though I was a week late then my period was unusually light and I am still bleeding 4 days after I should have stopped and it's a dark brown now and quite watery when I wipe.

I do have a copper coil had that about 18 months but it's been ok for me so far.

My anxiety is so bad and it has been for months, I'm paranoid as well, I have problems sleeping and I just feel crap. I have aches and pains in random places, my hair is grey
I had a full blood count 2 weeks ago and nothing untoward has come up so I'm at a loss.

My mum had peri symptoms from her late 30s and started with similar symptoms to me and eventually had a hysterectomy at 42 because she was bleeding horrendously in the end.

Please help I'm so worried it's something sinister.
I have been so stressed this past month, had suspected corona virus early March, thecstress at work hasnt helped and I've now been furloughed with potentially redundancy on the cards and my ds 20 has been a nightmare too

Oh and I really struggling to lose weight. Lost 3 stone 2 years ago..its creeping back on

I was your age when the peri started. I didn't realise what it was and spent a few years worrying about my sanity. 49 now and pretty much back to normal apart from the odd hot flush. Oh, and the periods made a return for a couple of months after a recent back sugery. Why?!

Thanks cock.

Just have no energy either. Feeling pretty down.

Dp is nagging me to ring the doctors but I cant see them caring much to be honest. Just wish I'd stop bleeding :(

My perimenopausal symptoms started when I turned 42. Irregular, shorter periods, sleeping issues when I used to sleep like a baby, tiredness, brain fog, irritability etc...

It got gradually worse until I finally got the full menopause at 47. Still struggling with poor sleep and tiredness and a few other symptoms, but overall the menopause has been kinder than the peri stage.

42 is quite early but I've read that when your mother went through the menopause (and I assume perimenopause) is a very good indicator as to when you will - so if your mum started in her late 30s, it does seem likely that this is what you are experiencing rather than anything sinister. Probably worth a trip to the doctor's though when you can, as they can check your hormone levels and let you know if this is perimenopause and put your mind at ease that's it's not anything else.

That's when mine started. Still going through it but nearly there I think 7 years later.

Yes it is early but it happens! I've had a couple of friends hit full-on menopause around 40-42. Their late 30s were really hard for them because at a time when they were surrounded by babies and that whole world which seems a lifetime away from menopause, they were dealing with the heavy emotional toll of a young menopause. An early menopause is not as unusual as we think. I envy my very dear friend in a way! She had her kids, got menopause out of the way and now, at 48, she's more energetic and brighter than I've seen her in years. I'm 48 and going into the dark cave!
If anything, get your bloods done so that you know. It's kind of reassuring having an idea about where you're at. You also want to rule out other concerns.