I'm either peri-menopausal, or I'm losing my mind!

[HeatherShimmerIsMyShade]

I'm early 40's. I have a mirena coil which is well overdue being changed (had it nearly 8 years). Prior to the mirena, I had horrendously painful and heavy periods, flooded every month, never went anywhere without spare undies etc. The mirena literally changed my life - no more periods!

A couple of years ago, my periods did start to return, but only very light and short. Obviously the hormone element of the mirena is no longer working. That's what I expected, but I put off getting it replaced and in the last year I haven't been able to due to Covid.

I've noticed in the last year that I have only very sporadic periods, months apart. They are still super light, but now much more painful. I have dreadful headaches, really sore breasts, acne, definite worsening of pre existing anxiety and I'm hot all the time. But worst of all - at times I talk absolute crap. Like I get the wrong words, I forget what I'm saying. People laugh. It's embarrassing and affecting my confidence.

I've also noticed what I think is a rectocele (sp?) which is causing me some toilet trouble.

There is no female GP at my local (rural) surgery. I really don't want to talk to the male GP. I don't want to be fobbed off, or worse, be told it's all in my head.

Gosh, I didn't realise how long that was going to be! Also - I promise I did put it in paragraphs, but the app turns it into one long stream of consciousness for some reason!

Sounds like peri to me.
Talk to the GP. It's not in your head. Don't let them fob you off with antidepressants or anxiety drugs telling you you're just depressed.

It does sound like peri menopause.

Might be worth a pregnancy test though, just to be on the safe side, if that's a possibility

@justchecking1

It does sound like peri menopause.

Might be worth a pregnancy test though, just to be on the safe side, if that's a possibility

Thank you - it's definitely not a possibility, hubby long since had the snip!

@Whatsnewpussyhat

Sounds like peri to me. Talk to the GP. It's not in your head. Don't let them fob you off with antidepressants or anxiety drugs telling you you're just depressed.

Thank you. I might see if I can have a chat with the nurse first, maybe I can get a blood test or something to confirm what's going on.

Yes sounds like peri. Have a look at the NICE guidelines before you see your GP. If you are under 45 they may want to check your hormone levels via a blood test. Prolapses often come to light around peri too due to reducing oestrogen levels.

There is no female GP at my local (rural) surgery. I really don't want to talk to the male GP. I don't want to be fobbed off, or worse, be told it's all in my head.

My male GP was fabulous, prescribed HRT without any problem after a chat about my symptoms. Tell him what’s wrong and directly ask for HRT.

There is no female GP at my local (rural) surgery. I really don't want to talk to the male GP. I don't want to be fobbed off, or worse, be told it's all in my head.

Are you saying this because of previous experience of your male GP, or making a generalisation about male GPs? Because, at my surgery, the male GP is far more willing to listen to me about women's issues than the female GP who seems to think that women should just get on with it like she did.

like PP says please don't be put off by a male dr. at 52 I have spoken to many drs about my various "women's " issues. .and some of them have been far more understanding than the women.

@GCAcademic

There is no female GP at my local (rural) surgery. I really don't want to talk to the male GP. I don't want to be fobbed off, or worse, be told it's all in my head.

Are you saying this because of previous experience of your male GP, or making a generalisation about male GPs? Because, at my surgery, the male GP is far more willing to listen to me about women's issues than the female GP who seems to think that women should just get on with it like she did.

Previous experience, sadly; same GP told me 9 years ago that heavy bleeding and flooding we're all part of being a woman! It's only being referred to hospital for a colposcopy after a dodgy smear that meant I could get a Mirena as the gynecologist took me more seriously.