Peri menopause or something else?!

[RunningMumoftwo]

I’m not sure where to start really. Over the last few months I feel utterly exhausted. Not tired, exhausted. It doesn’t matter if I get 7 hours or 12 hours sleep, I wake up and my first thought is “how on earth am I going to have enough energy to get through the day?”. I feel dizzy quite a bit and have headaches (am even doing dry January to see if that makes a difference, but no difference, just miss wine!😅.)

I am so hot at night I have to sleep on a cooling mat and with the window open - I wouldn’t say it’s sweating I just cannot control my body temp but in the day it’s fine 🤷‍♀️. My periods are hideous. So heavy I basically have to make sure I don’t plan to do anything for two days every month. Over the past few weeks I’ve noticed I’m having trouble remembering stuff, like my bosses name for example! I mean really silly stuff!

This has been going on a few months but the last few weeks has got so much worse. I’m crying because I feel so depleted. I’m normally pretty healthy, run a few times a week so usually fit. I’m dragging myself out for runs at the moment but it’s such a struggle. Sometimes I just put it down to busy life - full time work, studying too and two young kids. But I’m not sure if it’s something else now. I’m nearly 39 though, so I feel like it’s maybe too young to be menopause related? Anyone who has been in a similar situation, any advice would be greatly appreciated x

I've no real advice I'm sorry but throw in extreme anxiety/intrusive thoughts and I could have written your post so shamefully following for the advice you get and sending unmumsnetty hugs because it's hideous isn't it!

Hi OP,

My sister’s peri menopausal at the moment - she’s considerably older than you (49 going on 50) but your symptoms sound similar to yours.

Here’s an NHS link re early menopause: www.nhs.uk/conditions/early-menopause/

Her GP prescribed HRT gel and put her on a different contraceptive pill to the one she was previously on.

I’d try to get an appointment with a GP if I were you - I know that’s easier said than done at the moment.

Good luck x

Heavy bleeding made me anaemic which could be the cause of the exhaustion / dizziness. Get a blood test to see if you need iron tablets. I got Mirena coil for heavy bleeding.

Thank you for the advice all 😊

I have an appointment for bloods and seeing the GP. Although I’m not sureabout how blood tests work for diagnosing peri menopause?

Ive heard good things about HRT so would be keen to explore that option I think. I’ve considered the coil but have heard so many horror stories I’m a bit wary!

Hi! I'm 39 in a few months, too, and the GP has just confirmed perimenopause for me :( I believe under the age of 40, a blood test alongside symptoms would confirm it. I think they look for FSH however this does fluctuate naturally during a cycle so may not indicate much. She's put me on the combined pill as the NICE guidelines suggest this as first line treatment for those under 40. I've been on it for a few months and although it's regulating my cycles my symptoms are still here so may go back and discuss HRT.

Worth ruling out thyroid issues but that sounds like my experience full/ advanced peri.

After a couple of years of that (full two years of fan on in my room/ windows open, no idea why I didn't twig) the fatigue increased hugely, along with extreme lack of concentration and I occasionally had hot flushes during the day. Periods were still roughly regular but v light. That's when I finally pushed for hrt at 44. I'd been asking about whether it was peri for a year before.

I had tracked symptoms very religiously for a few months before with periods which helped.

It wasn't sweats at night just waking up v hot and unable to sleep. No need for the hot water bottles I'd loved all my life.

I’m now 44 and I could have written your post at about 37/39. I was brushed off by my doctor even with a history of early menopause in my family (mum and nana were around 40).

Fast forward to now and I started HRT about 6 months ago and all blood test have shown my hormone levels were very very low. So I was definitely peri before 40.

I never had hot flashes during the day either, just at night.

I’m feeling much better on HRT (Oestrogen, I already had the mirena coil (for heavy periods - no problems with the coil and no periods - love it). More energy, less anxiety, better memory, less grumpy and a bit giggly. I’m hopefully start testosterone this week too for libido.

Go to you GP ask if there is a doctor in you clinic who deals with all the menopausal women. That was the key for me. I’m lucky that my practice is run by two female doctors in their late 50’s and they are both brilliant and massively knowledgeable on the subject. I think I am lucky to have them though as a lot of GPs aren’t clued up!

Thank you, your experience is really helpful to hear and I’m so glad you are feeling much better!

I am seeing Dr this week but still feel apprehensive about broaching this subject, I’ve read all the nice guidelines, written down all my symptoms etc so I am prepared and I would like to definitely like to at least have a conversation about HRT or explore it, so hopefully it will go okay 🤞🤞

Low dose prozac for two weeks a month fixed my horrible PMT. After 5 years or so I started HRT and cut down and then stopped the Prozac.