Is this perimenopause?

[Periperhaps]

I’m 40 and my fertility has finished (been trying for another baby for two years and nothing. Previously fell pregnant very quickly and easily).

I’m having really heavy periods, with blood clots, though my cycle is still very regular.

My moody PMS symptoms are lasting maybe 2 weeks instead of 2 days (!).

My skin is worse, I definitely look “older” all of a sudden.

No real libido.

Is it the perimenopause? My vitamin levels are all fine and I have no thyroid problems etc as I had them all checked about six months ago.

If it is, what can I do about my mood? This is a miserable way to live half the time

Any natural hormone boosters or something?! I am very new to this so absolutely no idea.

(Lockdown isn’t helping, of course. I’m someone who likes being outside doing stuff and that’s tricky at the moment.)

Have you had your fsh levels checked?

I haven’t - I haven’t even heard of that! Can my GP do it as a normal blood test? (When we’re allowed to go back and get blood tests for non emergency things anyway!)

I didn’t have any tests about my secondary infertility, mostly because I have two other DC and I sort of felt greedy wanting another

I’ve now accepted it’s not going to happen and probably because I left it a bit too late.

Yes, your gp can do it,

Evening primrose oil capsules might help a bit. I got diagnosed with peri the day before my 40th birthday, they were investigating me for infertility and that's what they found.

I take menopace supplements religiously, they seem to help and I'm now terrified to stop! I was a pmt monster for half the month too op, I feel for you

cheesyrats Sorry about your infertility . How long did peri last for you before menopause? Was it tough?

allfalldown47 are they prescription only?

I will speak to my GP when I don’t feel guilty for going in for something like this!

@allfalldown47 do you mind me asking what you are taking. I need to start taking something as my symptoms have gotten quite bad. I am like some sort of demented demon these days. I can't shift my weight around my middle and now I have dry eye which is probably caused by hormones.

OP on the pregnancy front I had a surprise pregnancy at almost 43 despite peri menopause.

@Periperhaps not prescription, they are in the vitamin section of larger supermarkets. The brand is called 'Menopace' there is a few in the range but I just get the regular ones that are normally about £5 for a months worth

@SparkyBlue demented demon would be a good description of what I would often turn into!!!
I obviously have no idea how much the supplements are working but I'm definitely not stopping now! I would say take them religiously, I try to never miss a day and I think that helps.

Thanks. I've just spotted that boots have an own brand version as well so definitely worth trying. I think I'm going to have to get serious about diet as well not in the sense of "I need to go on a diet" but try to see if I should avoid certain stuff or add other things in.

I was about 38, really wanted a 2nd baby but dd1 was getting older...hot flushes started and kept missing periods. I went to go to see if l had started menopause and she tested my fsh levels and it basically was early menopause but they call it premature ovarian insufficiency. Had to start hrt, have a bone density test etc. I never had 2nd child which will always make me feel sad but have accepted it now, but l feel your pain OP. So get to your gp and ask them for a blood test....lots of peri symptoms, affects people differently xx

I would suggest gps are probably quieter now than they would normally be. I’m sure they won’t mind talking to you about it at all.