Premature menopause at 38-tips?

[Tryingmyb3st]

I have a long history of gynae issues so this isn't exactly a surprise.
Since Christmas last year I've been exhausted. Not tired, but bone-crushingly fatigued. It's got to the point that getting up in the morning is a struggle and I need to nap in the afternoon. I can't stay up past 9pm or do anything outside working and day to day house stuff as the recovery takes up to a week.

That, alongside brain fog and problems sleeping, has seen me go to the GP more tines this year than any time in the last 5.

The GP ran tests and I'm in premature menopause. Rather than be sad about no more kids, I'm going to try and focus on just getting better and using this as a means to overhaul my health.

I'll be back on HRT soon (a higher dose) but I'm hoping for some advice on anything that others have tried to alleviate symptoms. Any natural remedies, diet etc? I can't exercise at the moment as the recovery takes so long but if anyone has any recimmendations for when i start feeling better, I'd love to hear.

For symptoms I take Menoforce sage tablets.

Ask your GP to refer you for a bone density scan - Dexa scans I think they are called. I have them 10 years apart, so they can keep an eye on things. If you have a premature menopause you are more likely to get osteoporosis sooner than you might otherwise.

@Surtsey DEXA scans are done every 2- 3 years. Why are yours only being done every 10 years? Friends of mine who are at risk (family history, fractures, early meno etc) have then every 3 years even on the NHS. I have mine done every 2-3 years (privately).

Thanks for the tip on bone scan. GP wants me to check in after 2 months so I'll ask then. I've also got the gynaecologist in January so can check then too.

@Tryingmyb3st HRT at the right dose will prevent osteoporosis, and your risk should be no more than most women with an average age menopause (51.)
The important thing is to stick with HRT to at least 51 as the years from now to then don't count in terms of the risks. You probably won't lose bone yet, but ideally you need a DEXA scan now and another in 3 years, and every 3 years.

After 51 you can try to come of it if you want to, but there is no need if it's suiting you and you feel good and are aware of the small risks.

When your HRT kicks in, you shouldn't need anything else as a supplement, but you should try to build your bone mass with some resistance exercises (squats, lunges, bands, etc) for your hips, legs, spine etc. Pilates and yoga are good.

Also a really healthy diet, 1000mgs calcium a day from food, and avoid fizzy drinks (coke especially) as the acid in them destroys bones.

Hope you feel better soon.

I don't know why. They did the first one 20 years ago, then 10 years ago. I'm due another one soon, so I might ask. Both of the ones I've had so far were 100% and 99% expected bone density for my age at the time, so maybe that's why. Or it could be that my health authority are cheapskates.

@Surtsey I'm confused. Did you reply to to the OP as you too had a premature menopause? If so, how long ago was it and what age?

Have you used HRT since you were diagnosed (if you were!)

Hi, my original post was to the OP and the other one was replying to a pp.

Yes, I had an early menopause, symptoms for several years and formally diagnosed by a hospital gynaecologist when I was 39, which was 20 years ago now.

Had HRT for quite a long time, although I did have to fight for it to continue. They kept on telling me it increased the risk of this and that, and I had to remind them that all it was doing was replacing hormones I should still have been producing anyway! I don't take it any more though.

My late DM had a premature menopause also.

My Dr has given me a 'may be fit for work' line asking for reasonable adjustments given my exhaustion level. Getting going in the morning takes about 90m (even after full night's sleep) and then by 3 I just can't concentrate. I don't want to take the piss but I'm not functioning and need nap. Have no idea how to raise it with my boss because how do you explain that napping as and when is necessary for me to be able to even think straight. I feel like I'm losing my mind.

Op, have a look at the symptoms of hyperparathyroidism and see if they fit. The fatigue you describe may be due to that instead or as well as premature menopause.

I'm hypothyroid (since 18) and have ceoliac disease. Both are under control (bloods confirmed thyroxine at right level in one of my many, many blood tests in the last month) amdall other levels are fine. GP ses to think it's down to the premature menopause rather than anything else (though CFS has been mentioned). Think the idea is to check in 2 months after I start the HRT gel to see if any improvement. If not , guess it's back to endless testing.

I'm just so fucking exhausted.

I've just ordered a book called Mindful Menopause. Tried a sample and enjoyed it so hoping that helps alongside HRT.

Apols if that seem a bit trite considering how you are feeling.

Sorry Op, not your thyroid but your parathyroid, completely different part of the body, despite the confusingly similar name. It's worth a quick google to check your symptoms against the symptoms of hyperparathyroidism. Doctors are notoriously bad at diagnosing it and dealing with it.

@sarvangasana thanks. I'll look into it.
@NorthernPud thanks for the recommendation. I've not tried mindfulness before and willing to give anything a go . Im not depressed about the diagnosis-I'm resigned to it and just want to move on positively. Just so fed up with being exhausted and being unable to focus or find words.