Perimenopause at 40, don’t know where to start

[fatteratforty]

I came off of the pill in March as I was feeling so bloated (gone up a cup size). Had a withdrawal bleed then nothing. I am always v regular, and my weight feels different - much more round my upper body and middle Where I’ve always been smaller..
Got bloods taken this week (could tell they thought I was over thinking it and it was just due to stopping pill) they’ve called today to confirm I am peri menopausal.

I am only 41, no children after trying IVF numerous times (not convinced that isn’t a contributing factor here...) and only advice this morning was to go on the pill to avoid further issues as I’m too young for HRT.

Although I suspected it, I’m totally taken aback and really quite emotional about it. I have no idea what I should be doing diet and supplement wise, and if pill is best thing to do.
Should I go see a specialist for guidance ?

Amy pointers appreciated

Sorry to hear this.

You have been given some incorrect advice.

1 Bloods are pretty unreliable for perimenopause but they can show loss of ovarian function. You need to be sure those tests were accurate. You need 2 tests, a month apart, taken on days 2-5 of a natural cycle. If not, the tests are not reliable.

2 You are definitely not too young for HRT. There is no lower age limit and it's a ridiculous thing to tell you that. There are women here like @Emerald13 who have been on HRT for some years at your age. Other women who have lost their ovarian reserves are on it in their 20s and 30s.

You should see a specialist yes.

In the meantime have a good look at the website of Dr Louise Newson- a menopause dr. She does consultations at the moment by phone etc as do all private specialists. Depending where you live I can recommend London drs.

On her website, just put words into the search box. There are some excellent videos there.
www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause

Hi! As Bells say you are not too young to start taking hrt. For me it is the only thing that helped and my life is normal again, without any meno symptoms. For sure I wouldn’t continue my job without! The forum is very very helpful too!!!:)

interesting as I'm very similar, just 42

I'm mid 40s and due to start HRT soon. Not many changes in my cycle and blood tests showed nothing, yet I have almost all of the symptoms of peri. Barely feel human so I'm keen to give it a try.
It's a myth about the lower age limit.

Thanks all for coming back to me, and for the website recommendation.

I’m north of the border, so really need to find someone in the central belt.

I have no debilitating symptoms at present, the GP advised the pill to regulate my hormones for heart and bone health. That’s the part I am most worried about - my long term health.

The ironic thing is that I came off of the pill, in part because I wanted to stop putting artificial hormones in my body....

@fatteratforty HRT is not artificial hormones, and is different to the Pill. Most HRT is the same as your own natural hormones which is why it's called replacement.

In younger women there is the option of using Qlaria which is the Pill but has a more natural form of estrogen like HRT, so your GP is right in that sense. However they are wrong that HRT is not suitable.

Link here to LN's website and info on early meno and HRT

www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/topics/hrt

To find a specialist, see the British Menopause Society website and tab at top of Home page for Specialists throughout UK.

However, many drs like Louise Newson see women from all over the UK and will do remote consultations at the moment.

My own consultant is too, but I think they would expect you to have a in-person appt at some stage.

I’ll take a look at the website, thank you.

This is all very new for me. I’ll definitely be looking into HRT, but I’d like to look into all options to determine what’s best for me.

I’m really concerned about my weight gain, it’s all around my middle (and my upper body) which I know isn’t safe, so will start looking at the best way to get rid of that too

I’m 39 and just had a consultation with Dr Boden at Newson Health (the link provided by @JinglingHellsBells earlier). I live in Norfolk but had a remote consultation and they prescribed the HRT for me. I chose to get it privately for now for ease but you can and should be able to get it on the NHS. I’ve been on oestrogel and Utrogestan for nearly 2 weeks now and just starting to feel the benefits, although it’s very early days. It’s so important for younger women in particular to go on HRT - you’re just replacing the hormones we should have!

Thanks @Bagelsandbrie
I’ve found an NHS clinic close to where I am, but if it comes to it I will look at the private option too.

On reflection, my GP literally just told me the news, told me to take the pill and that was it. I was too taken aback to really question anything. I need to do a whole load of reading and research

Im 46 in a few months and i think im hitting perimenopause.

Periods every 3 weeks, heavy and some clotting
Snappy
Warm during the night
Can’t be bothered to do anything. I used to run 30-40 miles a week last year and ran 4 marathons and 6 halves.
Sore boobs
Dont want sex.

Not on anything as i was sterilised 10 yrs ago.

Do you think i need to see a nurse/GP?

@Bargainhuntbore I probably would. If nothing else they can do bloods and hopefully set you on the right path.

I have asked my GP for a referral to a menopause clinic (they were pretty resistant, but agreed)

Definitely can relate to the lack of motivation...Fellow marathon runner here (one only!) and a power walk feels like an effort at the moment

Katherine Wilk has written an incredible book called Peri Meno Power. Can I suggest you read this, there are ton of tips that can help you.

Do your own research, there are a lot of health experts that can help you deal with this with much better advice than you will receive on the NHS. YouTube is your friend in this situation.

@BetterCare good timing, I literally just watched her interview with Davina Taylor on Instagram last night and was looking to order the book.

Have also ordered Menopause Manual by Dr Louise Pentland