Start of perimenopause?

[Hotchocolateandcake]

I'm only just 37 but for the past few months my periods are getting closer and closer together. More like every 3 weeks. They are longer too.

I've been experience excessive hair shedding,, heightened anxiety, and Im also now having gum problems which may or may not be related. Really itchy skin too, waking up in the night at times itching like crazy.

No not flushes or anything like that.

The periods are driving me up the wall because I already experienced quite bad pmt but feeling now that I'm not getting a break from it.

I had bloods taken a few months ago for something else (dizziness) and all was normal.

Would you go to the GP?

These could also be an iron or vitamin deficiency, or thyroid related - quite often thyroid problems occur Hand in hand with other hormonal shifts, so of course it could be peri too, but definitely try and get full bloods done.

A lot can change in a few months and also if they were testing for something else they may not have tested for those specific things or you may be at the lower end of the Normal range, so don’t just accept ok, you want ‘optimal’.

I agree you should see your GP and ask for full bloods to be done. If it is early perimenopause you might want to think about HRT to protect your bones in the future, but there could be lots of other explanations for your symptoms.

I would.

My periods were every 3 weeks, lasting a week, heavy and my iron level were low when they tested me a few days before i bled, so goodness knows how low they were during my periods. I asked for the minipill and that was 18 months ago. Haven’t had a period for 14 months and its fab.

Im also on the B12 jab every 8 weeks.

But in the last few weeks im really struggling. Zero sex drive, fatigue, im waking 3-5am and CANNOT go back to sleep, anxious about stupid things which I would never let bother me, im sick and tired of it. Making errors at work. Irritated at the slightest thing.

Im due B12 at the end of the month and I’m going to ask about HRT.

I feel im cracking up.

At your age I would.
My periods were suddenly bang in every 28 days for a while, with a heavy 24/48 hours, then began getting even closer. The constant PMT is exhausting and making me feel manic.
I’ve had a coil in but it’s not worked well, so am probably having it out.

Make sure you list your symptoms and get a blood test.
My GP told me 44 is far too early to ‘be on the change and the usual age is mid 50’s’.

So get the bloods done!