When to go to doctor for peri menopause?

[SpaceOp]

I've been experiencing what I think are peri menopause symptoms for a while now but it's been relatively minor. And while I haven't done a lot of research on menopause yet, I get the sense that you're not supposed to be leaping off to doctor and hormone therapy until things are really advanced. But .... I mean, many of the symptoms are irritating but fine - night sweats (varying in intensity and duration from month to month), irrational rage (mostly aimed at all men and again, varying in intensity and length from a few hours to 2 days), some increased PMS pain (sometimes) etc. But the one that's starting to really get me is the sleep - for about a week before my period I sleep appallingly. Insomnia and /or constant waking and/or disturbing vivid dreams. Last night I went to bed at 10:30 and woke up at 11:30, 12:30. 3:30 and 5:45 before getting up at 7. This is standard. I'm exhausted. To the point where I'm considering whether to start tracking this week in my diary and trying to plan work around it.

I take an iron supplement and an omega 3 supplement, which definitely do seem to help - but not enough.

It's time to see a doctor, right?

Yes I’d say see a doctor. Can’t hurt to get some professional advice. Will either result in reassurance and advice on what to do, or further investigation. I did read a news article this morning on lockdown changing women’s periods, so the situation could also be affecting you. Best to book an appointment and prep by listing out your symptoms and questions. Good luck.

Thanks @NRE20. I actually booked an appointment on Friday for a telephone consultation with my doctor in a couple of weeks time. I suspect it will be as you say, a bit of a chat and some reassurance, and I partly feel bad for wasting her time, but then I think that actually, having that on record etc is not a bad thing because in time I will need the further investigations etc.

@SpaceOp You don't need to have terrible symptoms to ask for HRT but in any case, that loss of sleep sounds horrendous anyway. Whether you decide to use HRT is up to you, but one single issue like insomnia is enough for some women. The other thing is, you don't need investigations for peri menopause. If you are over 45, the NICE guidance (pinned on top of this forum here) is that GPs treat the symptoms. Unless you have other gynae issues, your GP won't investigate anything.

Good that you’ve booked an appointment. When it comes to health, I don’t think any of us are wasting a dr’s time where there’s a genuine concern. The alternative is that you don’t get checked out, only for things to get worse and be told when you do finally go “oh you should have come earlier”. It feels like a lose-lose sometimes, but I’d rather be seen as overly cautious than not cautious enough! Good luck. I hope it’s all good news.

@JinglingHellsBells I'm 44 and a half!