Low mood / Peri ?

[Squaddielife]

Hi All

New here & looking for some advice please.
I'm 47 and think I'm one foot in perimenopause.
Dr is sending me for bloods so nothing confirmed yet although I know the results can be inconclusive.

I've noticed some symptoms over the past few months so I'll list them if it helps...

Flushes ... nothing 'major' and only a couple so didn't initially link this to peri.
Worse PMT/pain .... again just thought it was a bad month.
Breast tenderness/pain (woke me up during the night) ... went Dr, had mamogram. Result = hormonal breasts
Headache/toothache .... started about 3 months ago. Dentist given all clear. Thinking I'm 'clenching' possible stress?
Possible osteoarthritis... I'm not sure this is linked to peri but I've had nodules on 2 fingertips appear since Jan. Does anyone else have this & linked it to peri?
Low mood... ive never suffered really with depression but lately my mood can be really low. I get snappy. I'm paranoid over friendships. I'm sad about things (historic family issues).

My questions I guess is where to go from here?

Is there a best time of cycle to have the blood tests to ensure as accurate result as is possible?

Is there anything over the counter worth trying or supplements?

Should I consider HRT at this stage? My symptoms are manageable but the low mood is a killer for me.

Any dos/donts/watch out for when it comes to HRT? I haven't researched anything as of yet. Not even sure Dr will prescribe as I know some are reluctant.

Thanks for any replies

Might me worth me adding that my periods are still regular but the length/flow can be erratic lately.

I already exercise alot. Have always been a keen gym visitor and am in good shape physically. My low mood can affect my desire to get to the gym but more often than not I still go.

Sex drive is low (but that's probably not unusual) it would be nice for this to be higher although not sure if that can be changed.

Thanks x

Just pointing you in the right direction where you can find all your answers.

Scroll down these threads and you will see I posted about a Youtube video with Nick Panay ( one of best UK meno specialists.) Google and it comes up as an August 2020 Youtbe.
Read the website of Dr Louise Newson
Read the pinned NICE guidance top of this forum.

Your GP should not 'refuse' HRT if you want to try it.
All of that is explained in the Panay video. Drs are there to give you the facts, then it's your choice.

Hi This was me a couple of years ago, I had the Mirena Coil fitted. I had very heavy periods, painful as well. My periods have almost stopped now, which is good for me. My GP said the coil will take me up until my Menopause and the I can get HRT if I want it.
I still do get low moods, but taking away the heavy periods has definitely made me feel better.
Hope this helps x

Oh and also I have been trialling Maca for low Libido. My reflexologist recommended it. It’s a powder and you only need half a teaspoon a day. Not sure if it’s working or not only been on it a week, so fingers crossed 🤞

@JinglingHellsBells

Just pointing you in the right direction where you can find all your answers.

Scroll down these threads and you will see I posted about a Youtube video with Nick Panay ( one of best UK meno specialists.) Google and it comes up as an August 2020 Youtbe.
Read the website of Dr Louise Newson
Read the pinned NICE guidance top of this forum.

Your GP should not 'refuse' HRT if you want to try it.
All of that is explained in the Panay video. Drs are there to give you the facts, then it's your choice.

Thank so much. I have just watched the video through. I think I need to understand more about the mechanics of menopause etc, as I say, I'm very new to this.

I will check out the website / guidelines too thanks. Can you recommend any books?

@Bakedbeanhead

Hi This was me a couple of years ago, I had the Mirena Coil fitted. I had very heavy periods, painful as well. My periods have almost stopped now, which is good for me. My GP said the coil will take me up until my Menopause and the I can get HRT if I want it. I still do get low moods, but taking away the heavy periods has definitely made me feel better. Hope this helps x

Thanks for your reply my periods arnt especially heavy so not sure a mirena would apply to my case but the powder sounds promising so I'll check that out

I think if you want to read a book I'd go for something factual like Your Change, Your Choice, (focuses on what happens to the body but also the various options of what may help- hrt v alternative options), by a gynaecologist rather than a book written by slebs who tend to write about their own experiences with not a lot of the biology.