Am I Perimenopausal??

[Notnow1982]

I'm 38 and over the past 12-18 months have been noticing changes in my body. Changes include: increased anxiety, increased facial hair (mainly chin/sides of top lip & thick dark hairs), sudden appearance of ridges on my nails as well as suddenly being brittle, not sleeping as well and sore joints (not all the time but my ankles and wrists seem to suffer more). These changes have happened quickly over 12/18 months.

These symptoms were noticeable enough for me to mention it to my GP. I had my bloods checked - iron & vitamin levels but all were OK. Then my friend mentioned perimenopause. After doing some research I think there might be something in it. My symptoms get worse just before my period so it could be a touch of PMS but there's definitely more to it.

Could this really starting now? I'm only 38 FFS😫

It most certainly can start at your age, mine did at 39. I very strongly recommend that you go to a peri/menopause clinic. HRT is especially important for women who start on the earlier side in regards to heart and bone health. It also helps massively with all the symptoms. It was a lifesaver for me, most notably with the anxiety I had.

Yes, the increasing anxiety and achy joints were symptoms of mine.
My peri menopause crept up on me, my periods became more regular and closer together. They also became heavier, and I had occasional flooding.
My PMT became awful, I was full on raging at my DH, and I consulted a solicitor about a divorce.
My joints are better for taking cod liver oil, and the periods/PMT have been helped by having a coil fitted.
I do not have night sweats and hot flushes, which I think is assumed to be the most common symptoms.
Welcome to the menopause board, you’ll be spending more and more time here !

It was my nails that I noticed first. Suddenly they had this horrible vertical ridges on them, some of them quite noticeable and they have gone thin and weak. They weren't like this about 18 months ago. My sex drive has taken a bit of a dive but some months it's ok. Very up and down. It recovers during my period much to my DH's frustration as we can't really do anything. I have read that ultimately it's an oestrogen deficiency. I wonder if going on the pill may help (if that is what's wrong). I would see my GP but given my age they probably won't take it seriously.

Oh and headaches as well - definitely suffering with headaches and brain fog but some of this I can put down to stress with my work.

If you want to go on the pill and try it, why not ! Your body, your choice.

just checking is it ridges in the nails, not pitting? As this can be a sign of psoriatic arthritis and would explain joint pain.