Perimenopause help

[tortillachipsanddips]

I'm only 43 but definitely I think starting to get some perimenopause symptoms

Heavier periods
Frequent migraines when I get my period
Sweating / more body odour
Dry hair
Nails brittle
Loss of interest in sex
Trouble sleeping
More emotional

Just wondering what supplements people can recommend to help and whether I should go to the GP yet or not ?

I'm getting some symptoms that I think are menopausal too - generally feeling too warm, getting anxious about things I didn't use to, super tired on periods (went for a lie down this afternoon - I never do that during the day! Happy joy!

Ah yes the sleeping thing. I used to drop off easily as anything - now I can get to sleep ok but if the slightest thing wakes me up I can't get back to sleep again, grrr!

I'm 44 and noticed some symptoms when I was 43. Periods still regular but one month got heavy and have been since. Twice now I have had flooding thankfully the first time I was leaving a friends house and the second I was in my house. Started getting what I think are hot flushes not very often though. I was having a routine smear this week and the practice nurse asked how my periods were etc and I told her and she said you don't need to put up with it there are tablets you can take when period starts that reduce the bleeding etc. I'm definitely more anxious although I have anxiety anyway. The joys

I'm 41 and was prescribed HRT patches and some tablets yesterday.

I had some blood tests which show my hormone levels are on the cusp but still within normal range. I was sterilised 5 years ago and my GP thinks this may lead to early menopause. My symptoms were similar to those you've all posted:

Heavy periods, also irregular cycle and some months lasting 10 days, sometimes just 2.
Night sweats - especially when on period
Total loss of libido
Weight gain (working from home also
Contributed to this!)
Mood swings
Feeling run down and exhausted.

So I'm off to pick my prescription up today, hopefully I will start to feel more myself.

I’ve been on Evorel50,for 3 months ,I also take citilopram 40g,I’m finding I get hot and feel sick and have to eat straight away ,to stop this feeling ,I seem to be hungry all the time and need to eat straight away or feel really sick ,anyone else have these symptoms,look forward to hearing from u

I was told no blood test for hormones as they fluctuate but I'm in such a rabbit hole with treatments now and just awake and got vision back after another migraine that I'd like to be tested. What questions do I ask to ensure I get tested. My strengths don't lie in the confidence area

Following im awaiting blood testd to

I’m 43 & going through my second month of no periods. I have all the symptoms PPs have mentioned but also really stiff joints. In the morning I can barely move my ankles when I walk (if that’s makes sense!)
I had a failed IVF cycle a few years ago which I’m sure messed up my hormones plus my mum was 40 for her menopause & my grandmother was late 30s. Pretty sure this is it

I just had a melt down (quietly to myself!) and sat trying to work out what's made me, usually calm, lose my shit. I'm about to turn 50, I've known I'm peri but the obvious symptoms had stopped then suddenly I had a couple of brief hot flushes and no period for a couple of months. No other bells or whistles and I've done this before so I didn't think anything of it.

I've spent the last few weeks in a bit of a fog. Listless and absent, impatient. And now at work I've just had to remove myself from a situation because I got really angry and then panicked and then a little paranoid. That's too much for so early on a Tuesday so I then felt tearful. Ffs!!!! I then sat in a daze wondering what was wrong with me and realised I might be experiencing hormonal fluctuations. It caught me off guard because it isn't new. I decided to search for a MN thread so I could just tell "someone" and not feel alone with it. Apologies if this details the thread.

I think a lot of us feel the same. I had an online GP appointment last lnight with a different doc who queried why I was even on HRT if having regular periods and it could be intensifying the migraine. God knows. Add that to symptom spotting for Covid and it's no wonder my head hurts !
Sending hugs to all who need them.

We are amazing, we spend the bulk of our lives trying to keep steady during some emotionally tumultuous times.

Sorry that was meant to be sympathy. Trying to work out the origin of symptoms right now is a headache in itself, as you say!

43 is not too young, I was 41 when mine started, and HRT is brilliant. It is also very important to preserve your heart and bone health.

OP, I am 44 and you have basically written a ticklist of what I have been experiencing over the past 12 months. The headache is so predictable that I know when it will start and end practically down to the hour, based on when my period starts. And yes, I smell more

(clicked post too soon!)

... and I experience both anger and anxiety in a way I never used to.

Like you, I am assuming these are early perimenopausal symptoms, although when I mentioned it in passing to a GP she was quite dismissive of the idea. I think perimenopause is not widely understood.

Does anyone have any recommendations for naturally managing the early symptoms? Diet and exercise I guess - but are there any supplements etc?

Thought I'd update on my progress with the patches, just incase it helps anyone.

I've been using the patches for almost 4 weeks and I do feel a bit more myself. I have more energy and I don't know if I'm imagining it, but my face looks a bit fresher and less drawn.

My appetite has definitely decreased and thanks to the increase of energy, I am exercising a bit more and the weight is slowly shifting.

I've only had 2 night sweats in the 4 weeks too, which is a massive improvement.

Sex drive has improved a bit, probably a combination of my mood improving and more energy.

I started the tablets on the first day of my period, but I haven't seen a change in how heavy they are. I expect this will take a couple of months.

I’m also 43 and just done 4 weeks of Everol sequi patches snd ovestin cream

I’m definitely sleeping better, hot flushes have eased, joints not as painful. The ovestin cream has been superb at easing the dryness

But libido and brain Fog are still as bad as ever

@Winner2020

I hope things continue to improve.

Can I ask, was it a struggle to get a prescription from the G.P.

Did you have to argue your case?

I had peri symptoms a couple of years ago and was put on the minipill by GP, has been great, should have started it years ago.

@2020changedtheworld

I have been back and forth for a couple of years due to very heavy painful periods.

I finally spoke to a more receptive doctor last month and explained how utterly rubbish I felt and all the other symptoms, she said she would trial it for 3 months. My hormone levels weren't that low but definitely dropped from the last test.

I really feel a lot better and hopefully will continue to improve.

I'd just keep on at them. We shouldn't have to put up with it should we. Good luck!

Omg the mood swings 🤯

Thank you for posting this @tortillachipsanddips, I share your symptoms list, plus the painful joints!! I don't think weight gain has helped but I am so flipping hungry all the time and yes, my DC can be incredibly irritating, but I'm right on the edge of screaming at them quite often. I take vitamins and an iron supplement but definitely feel like something else is needed. I may well follow @Winner2020 's example and contact my GP again!

I’m definitely sleeping better, hot flushes have eased, joints not as painful. The ovestin cream has been superb at easing the dryness

But libido and brain Fog are still as bad as ever

I agree with everything you said except the cream as I'm not on that might have to ask for that too

I have been on the Sequi patches for over a year and still don't have libido back and the brain fog is still as foggy as ever.

I'm 47 and in peri. I have regular heavy periods occasional hot flashes and terrible mood swings. I'm taking tranexamic acid for the periods which is great and I'm starting oestrogen gel and progesterone pessaries for the first time when I start my next period. I'm hoping to feel less rage and more calm.

I'm 44 and I have all these symptoms (apart from migraine). I'm exhausted, achey, I have terrible insomnia for 2 weeks before my period, my pms is out of control, I'm so irritable, tearful and veer between depressed and raging. My periods are regular but increasingly heavy and painful. I can't concentrate and I have the worst memory.
I've got a GP appointment (phone) on Friday. What should I be asking for? I'm scared of HRT because of cancer risk.