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Menopause

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Original poster

Peri menopause at 38

35 replies

BuddyTheElfOnAnEscalator · 28/01/2023 08:19

I’ve recently been confirmed as perimenopausal at the age of 38 after a few months of investigations by my GP (who has been brilliant).

My symptoms are manageable at the moment (varying levels anxiety, low mood, irritability around my period and issues sleeping) but she has offered HRT whenever I feel that I need it. As I’m still having periods, she’s recommended a Mirena coil for progesterone and oestrogen gel.

My only hesitancy is that I’ve never heard anything good about a Mirena coil. The alternative of remembering to take tablets on and off is probably not quite compatible with full time working, two young kids and all the chaos that they bring.

I would love it if you could tell me how great it the Mirena coil is and how it’s changed your life.

And if anyone else has gone through this at a younger age, solidarity and support would be appreciated. It’s hereditary so I’m not surprised, but also the majority of my friends have a few years to go before they reach this stage. And I can’t talk to my sister as she has the same worries and isn’t in a place to start a family.

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 28/01/2023 08:24

Mirena coil helped dampen down my monthly rages.
Having it fitted was not painful at all, I’ve had worse smears.
I spotted for about 6 months, and had very light periods, but by 12 months there was nothing at all. Wish I’d done it years ago.

KangarooKenny · 28/01/2023 08:25

And if I was as young as you when peri kicked in I’d have started HRT.

Catnary · 28/01/2023 08:29

What are the bad things that you have heard? I have one, fitted for the progesterone element of HRT (I’m 10 years older than you, but I was still having regular periods when I got it).

I was a long term user of the copper coil so could themselves were no big deal for me.

The Mirena is completely fine. I’m not really aware of it. It does its job and I don’t get periods any more, that’s perfect for me.

Catnary · 28/01/2023 08:31

Oh actually come to think of it I did have some extended spotting for a couple of months when I first got it. But that’s a distant memory now.

Original poster
BuddyTheElfOnAnEscalator · 28/01/2023 08:43

Thanks @KangarooKenny. The rages were the thing that triggered me to go to the doctors in the first place, so that’s really helpful to know it has helped yours.

@Catnary lots of issues with them being fitted, then falling out, they’re painful to have in, constant bleeding.

Although, I’m fully aware that I’ll have paid attention to the bad stories, and never the good ones.

OP posts:
Catnary · 28/01/2023 08:45

BuddyTheElfOnAnEscalator · 28/01/2023 08:43

Thanks @KangarooKenny. The rages were the thing that triggered me to go to the doctors in the first place, so that’s really helpful to know it has helped yours.

@Catnary lots of issues with them being fitted, then falling out, they’re painful to have in, constant bleeding.

Although, I’m fully aware that I’ll have paid attention to the bad stories, and never the good ones.

With fitting you can only try. For me, it was completely painless and over in a second. You’ve had kids, chances are it will be a non-event for you (unless they were both ax-sections).

Never had any fear of it falling out.

Catnary · 28/01/2023 08:46

C-sections

Bagpuss16 · 28/01/2023 15:59

Hello,
Sorry I have no experience of the mirena coil but just wanted to offer some solidarity. I am currently 39 and after some fertility investigations last year found out that I am most likely peri menopausal. I have not had this confirmed by a GP yet as mine haven't been all that helpful so far. Over the last couple of months I have noticed an increase in symptoms - irritability, big sleep problems, dry skin and hot flushes seem to be the main ones so I feel I may need to start to push it with the GP a bit more now. Like you the majority of my friends are a similar age to me and menopause hasn't even entered their heads yet so it can feel like a bit of a lonely place to be. Happy to be messaged if you'd like to chat further x

emmama2 · 28/01/2023 16:11

I'm 34 and just also been diagnosed. I've now started the HRT patches and it's been like night and day- everyone has noticed a difference. I already had the implant in my arm and the doctor is happy for that to carry on as my progesterone instead of the mirena as I was adamant not to have it and seemed pointless to take out something that's working to replace it with something I might not get on with.

JinglingSpringbells · 28/01/2023 18:20

The alternative of remembering to take tablets on and off is probably not quite compatible with full time working, two young kids and all the chaos that they bring.

Why do you think this?

Most of the tablet form of HRT is one tablet every single day. No breaks between months.

Femoston is almost body-identical, and one tablet form that is often well-tolerated.

www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5523/smpc#gref

Original poster
BuddyTheElfOnAnEscalator · 28/01/2023 19:57

JinglingSpringbells · 28/01/2023 18:20

The alternative of remembering to take tablets on and off is probably not quite compatible with full time working, two young kids and all the chaos that they bring.

Why do you think this?

Most of the tablet form of HRT is one tablet every single day. No breaks between months.

Femoston is almost body-identical, and one tablet form that is often well-tolerated.

www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5523/smpc#gref

That’s interesting, thank you. The GP said that the tablet alternative one I’d take it for some days of the month.

OP posts:
Ohchristmastreeohchristmastree · 28/01/2023 19:58

Mirena coil was life changing for me. No more periods is bliss, the actual bleed itself is gone as well as no emotional hormone fluctuations. No side effects. Only good things!

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 28/01/2023 20:02

I'm on Oestrogen gel and a daily Utrogestan tablet for progesterone (I'm 48). Has your GP offered you this as an option? If I was switching on and off days I'd probably forget so it's easier to take it every day.

I started a three-month course then had a review and decided to continue.

Personally I wouldn't want a Mirena coil.

Original poster
BuddyTheElfOnAnEscalator · 28/01/2023 20:03

@Bagpuss16 I’m sorry that the GP been rubbish. I feel a bit old before my time talking to my friends about it. I also joined a menopause community at work and felt very young (for a change).

@emmama2 I’m so glad to hear it’s working well for you. I looked into the implant but from my very limited medical understanding, I don’t think it’s officially licensed for HRT. But I’ll bring it up with my GP as an option.

OP posts:
emmama2 · 28/01/2023 20:06

My doctor explained that I can have the HRT patches so I get a supply of oestrogen and have the implant as my progesterone.

Original poster
BuddyTheElfOnAnEscalator · 28/01/2023 20:07

@Ohchristmastreeohchristmastree this is exactly what I need to hear!

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy i think she mentioned that name, but she was clear it would be on/off. I’ll add it to my list of questions for her; I’m probably going to start soon - I’ve had a day of absolute rage today and my period started as I was putting the kids to bed.

OP posts:
Moomin37 · 28/01/2023 21:28

Sorry to hear you're going through this at a relatively young age. I suffered through my 30s but only joined the dots later on (in terms of realising it was peri) and started taking HRT at age 41. I am on Utrogestan tablets for 12 days per cycle, Estradot patches and Testogel. I have a young child and work very long hours, but don't find it too difficult to remember to take the tablets, particularly as they are brilliant for getting a good nights sleep, so I look forward to them. Strangely I also feel better on them now after struggling to tolerate them in the early days. They can be a pain in terms of remembering not to eat two hours before you take them at night, but that is more than offset by them preventing evening snacking! I hate the idea of something being put inside me so don't fancy the coil. I'm the sort of unlucky person that wouldn't tolerate it and then have to fight the GP for months to get it removed. But don't let my irrational fears out you off!

Slightlydustcovered · 28/01/2023 21:35

I'm 37, and only just got a doctor to take me seriously. I have been started on daily tablets but they are making me feel nauseous exactly like early pregnancy. Apparently this improves with time. Just here for solidarity I'm the only one in my circle of friends. Mother also had an earlier than average menopause.

newtowelsplease · 28/01/2023 21:41

I would love it if you could tell me how great it the Mirena coil is and how it’s changed your life.

The mirena coil is incredible and genuinely has changed my life, I'm completely evangelical about it, I tell all my friends to get one. I had mine fitted at 38 when I suspected I was peri menopausal. Doctor suggested it was unlikely due to my age but I had a couple of years of very heavy periods and felt very emotionally all over the place with massive mood swings.

It turned out I had fibroids. When they were removed I had a coil fitted and it is honestly incredible. The reason doctors recommend it so often is that it is great for so many women, you only see the bad stories when you google. I don't have periods any more and I feel so much calmer and on a man even keel. I've had mine nearly 5 years and will get another this year

JinglingSpringbells · 28/01/2023 21:52

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 28/01/2023 20:02

I'm on Oestrogen gel and a daily Utrogestan tablet for progesterone (I'm 48). Has your GP offered you this as an option? If I was switching on and off days I'd probably forget so it's easier to take it every day.

I started a three-month course then had a review and decided to continue.

Personally I wouldn't want a Mirena coil.

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy @BuddyTheElfOnAnEscalator Taking Utrogestan daily is only for women who are post menopause.

A LOT of Gps seem to be giving it to women not post meno, then they come along to this forum asking why they are bleeding all the time.

see here- medical site written by a consultant gynae.

www.menopausematters.co.uk/postmeno.php

The only women who ought to be taking it daily are if their periods have stopped for 12 months.

Other women having periods take it for 12 days per month.

JinglingSpringbells · 28/01/2023 21:56

They can be a pain in terms of remembering not to eat two hours before you take them at night, but that is more than offset by them preventing evening snacking!

@Moomin37 You can take them any time (at bedtime) with or without food. I've been using it for around 9 years.

My consultant trains other drs and is a meno expert.

The reason that is says do not take with food is it increases the absorption ( and this can increase side effects. OR it may be better for some women as it means they sleep better.)

However, for some women this is actually a bonus, as Utrogestan can be poorly absorbed and then bleeding can happen at odd times.

Moomin37 · 28/01/2023 21:59

@JinglingSpringbells I took it too soon after eating food once and felt like death the next day and know two people who've made the same mistake, so I won't be doing that again! Perhaps others don't suffer in the same way.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 28/01/2023 22:13

@JinglingSpringbells My GP had to take a couple of days to work out an HRT option for me that didn't interfere with my other meds for a life-threatening condition. I trust him that this is the best option, but thanks for your input.

JinglingSpringbells · 28/01/2023 22:27

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 28/01/2023 22:13

@JinglingSpringbells My GP had to take a couple of days to work out an HRT option for me that didn't interfere with my other meds for a life-threatening condition. I trust him that this is the best option, but thanks for your input.

Sorry to hear you have other serious health issues.

I just wanted to make the point for the OP that for women in peri, it's not used that way.

nc1013 · 30/01/2023 09:20

KangarooKenny · 28/01/2023 08:24

Mirena coil helped dampen down my monthly rages.
Having it fitted was not painful at all, I’ve had worse smears.
I spotted for about 6 months, and had very light periods, but by 12 months there was nothing at all. Wish I’d done it years ago.

I had the coil fitted a year ago for very heavy periods (never considered it could have been peri back then).

It's only now the other symptoms have started that I'm sure it's peri I have

The single worst symptom for me is the rage/irritability/crying. I was really hoping HRT would be the saviour I need!

However, given I already have the Mirena and it's been effective at completely stopping my periods, is that effectively HRT already? Does it mean it's not peri causing my rage/emotional symptoms? Or is it peri but just means there's probably not much I can do about it?

Or is there a chance it's the mirena coil making me feel I like this? My emotional symptoms have been getting progressively worse for a year to the point I can't bear feeling like this anymore