What age did you enter perimenopause?

[GreenLunchBox]

Just that really. Im 44 and feel fine at the moment. I didn't really know anything about the condition before and assumed at around 50 periods start to go a bit haywire, you might experience a few hot flushes then your periods hopefully stop (ha!). But now I know peri can go on for years, so can I please ask when did you enter it?

51 now and no period for 11 months

I'm 44 and the more I put 2 and 2 together I think I've been suffering for a while.
I had very heavy and more frequent bleeding which started a few years ago but that was put down to fibroids and they've been treated with various other failed attempts to control the bleeding along the way. I've only recently stopped taking the mini pill as it was becoming quite heavy again but that made me bleed non stop so I'm still working out what my "normal" is but last cycle was 35 days compared to a previous of 25!
I have brain fog that I was putting down to being stuck at home working on my own and general boredom / lack of focus but I suspect it's related. My writing and typing has got terrible, constantly missing words or in the wrong order.
Also gaining weight which again I put down to lockdown but I'm also doing less exercise because I'm either exhausted or seriously lacking in motivation.
I've just posted on the general health page about aching joints and they suggest it's linked to peri-menopuase. A PP describes being in pain filling the car with petrol and this has been happening to me too.
I don't think I get hot flushes but I've always had only 2 temperature settings of boiling or freezing!

oestrogen plays a role in the bodies management of hydration of cartilage which is why you get more achey in perimenopause as the cartilage isn't as hydrated.

I suspect around 43. I didn't twig at all as I had no idea how wide a range of symptoms there can be.

I had very low moods at the time. Then got a horrendous libido surge around 44, and night sweats started. No idea about periods as I was on the mini pill so had none. Night sweats continued and some vaginal dryness set in.

Fast forward to lockdown and age 51 and I finally twigged what must be going on. I'd come off the pill a while before and periods were erratic but I wasn't sure if they were just sorting themselves out after so long on contraception, or what. I had the occasional very slight hot flush - but as my hot flushes only go up my back and I thought hot flushes made your face and neck hot I wasn't sure if that's what they were. Finding out about the rage, which I had good and proper, finally sent me to the doctor and HRT has made the world of difference.

I think i was 38 or 39? They did my bloods. Entered full menopause about 45 or 46.

At 39 I first went to the doctor with palpitations and anxiety. Did it know anything about peri, GP said it was just my age. Varying symptoms over the years but finally got HRT at 49.

@Workinghardeveryday

What do you consider to ge brain fog?

I was forgetting words. Not just an embarrassment in my professional role, but basic, bog-standard stuff too.

@garlicandsapphires

Does anyone know if there’s a correlation between starting periods early and early menopause?

Not for me, I didn’t have my first period until I was 17.

@Workinghardeveryday

What do you consider to ge brain fog?

This was one of my worst symptoms. I thought I was developing dementia. Forgetting words for everyday things Losing track of conversations or discussions on meetings Going upstairs for something 3/4 times before I remembered why I had a job interview and my mind went blank when I was asked the name of my employer.

I’m 45 and unlike others my periods are getting longer, not shorter. I get 3 or so days of fairly heavy bleeding followed by stop start spotting for another week - they used to be exactly 5 days. Is this normal?

I actually don't know. I had irregular periods going back to 2013 but was under extreme stress at work. Digestive issues such as bloating, constipation and headaches non stop for years plus still irregular periods. Fatigue. High blood pressure. But no hot flashes amazingly. Now 45 yrs old and just trying HRT as moods are so extreme now

I think I was about 38 when it started, although I didn't know that's what it was for a few years afterwards, but that's when hot flushes and night sweats started. Nothing else really til anxiety hit out of the blue one morning about 3 years later, and a year or so after that started flooding.

Still have symptoms, but much reduced and although I'm still battling brain fog, I wanted to recommend probiotics(Bio kult has the most strains I've found) to women here struggling with mood and digestion. I was having awful digestive issues all the time, and really dark moods on some a lot of days relating to my cycle, and the change after taking them is huge. No digestive issues. I still get sudden anger, and sadness, but it doesn't last long, isn't very strong, and mood is much more balanced, and I don't get anywhere near as low as I did. I'm not on hrt.

Hi, newbie on here but does anyone suffer with peri-menopausal migraines?? I have suffered with menstrual migraines since I was15 but the last 3 months have been terrible. I am on day 10 of my current attack, actually waiting for my Dr to ring me as nothing is working and it's really starting to get to me 😢

www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/videos/menopause-migraines-what-do-they-feel-like-and-when-do-they-stop/?utm_source=A.Vogel%20AG&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12697392_ATM%20%7BMenopause%20migraines%7D&utm_content=ATM%20CTA%20Pink%20Button&dm_i=WP2,7K5DC,34BN7,UROUP,1
Hi @Officegirl1977 I get this information sheet every week, I saw your message and thought this one might help you(sorry for the long link, I've forgotten how to shorten it!)

That's me @Redcrayons. I'm actually worried it could be early onset dementia it's so bad

I don't know. I'm 45 now and definitely in it but it's hard to pinpoint when things changed as I've always suffered with heavy periods and PMS which have been getting progressively worse since my early 30s and giving birth. It's hard to say when the PMS/PMDD slipped into peri because a lot of the symptoms are the same: flooding, rage, weepiness, exhaustion, anxiety, breast tenderness, etc. The new peri symptoms are serious brain fog and worsening insomnia as well as achiness and occasional dizziness.

This is my first time on mumsnet and I’ve found it really informative when searching for answers. I’m 41 (almost 42) and recently had my first period in almost 4 years due to the mirena coil (still in situ). I’ve also started to experience night sweats, aching wrists and fingers and the most irrational mood swings, like if I walk into a room I have just cleaned and it’s messy I want to kill someone🤯. I’m assuming this is hormonal but not sure if it’s a bit too early to assume it’s peri…any advice greatly received ladies.

I used to suffer years ago when I was on the pill but they have suddenly returned, coinciding with many other unpleasant symptoms like night sweats and a period I’ve not had for years due to the mirena.

42 I started with perimenopause.
Just starting HRT now at 45

@garlicandsapphires

Does anyone know if there’s a correlation between starting periods early and early menopause?

The nhs website says there is no link. I had wondered myself.

Right now I think aged 44. My moods have suddenly become unbearable, I range from crying all the time to rage utter rage. I feel worthless and everything around me is rubbish, I have zero motivation. Last night I told my DH I no longer wanted to be with him as I am just awful to be around - told him to find somebody who will make him happy poor bloke so looks like I have just lost my marriage. Periods regular as clockwork but now a 4 week cycle instead of the usual 5 weeks, no hot flushes.

I have a GP telephone appointment next week and will definitely be asking for HRT, I cannot carry on like this.

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango I've had similar conversations with my DP. I hope yours will understand.

Do take a list of symptoms to your GP appointment (the Balance app or Menopause Doctor website can help you think about what symptoms might be relevant). IME I think GPs can be reluctant to consider HRT if you're not experiencing hot flushes or irregular periods. Ridiculous really as not all women have hot flushes. Just be prepared to have to convince your GP that you're in peri...

[quote WhereAreWeNow]@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango I've had similar conversations with my DP. I hope yours will understand.

Do take a list of symptoms to your GP appointment (the Balance app or Menopause Doctor website can help you think about what symptoms might be relevant). IME I think GPs can be reluctant to consider HRT if you're not experiencing hot flushes or irregular periods. Ridiculous really as not all women have hot flushes. Just be prepared to have to convince your GP that you're in peri...[/quote]
Thank you! See even your message has made me tearful!! I think my poor dh has had a guts full of me. We only got married last year and don't live together yet so its easier to walk away from. I loathe the way I am with him I am a nasty cow and he deserves much better......I will bear that in mind with the GP, I have asked for a female hoping she may have a little more understanding. I do wake up sometimes wet with sweat but I think thats because I overdress in bed.

Explain how you're feeling and let him know that you're seeking help and you want to change things and I'm sure he'll understand @TangoWhiskyAlphaTango.
I would definitely tell the GP about night sweats, tearfulness and rage/irritability. They're all peri symptoms.

Interesting as I've had a lot of peri symptoms the last year - I'm 44 and pregnant though at the moment does anyone know if you can be in the throws of peri and be pregnant as well ?