Peri - how long did your symptoms last?

[nc1013]

Just wondering really.....

The main one I'm interested in is the constant rage/irritability/about to burst into tears/anxiety feelings. Im finding this harder than the more "physical" symptoms.

I'm part way through looking into HRT with my Gp.

Interested in views from those on HRT and those that aren't? Does it just pass with time? Did you really feel this way for 5+ years?

Also I'm relatively young to be experiencing peri - does that mean I'll have it for longer or does it last a certain period of time regardless of what age it starts?

How old are you ?

I first noticed monthly rages, then I got anaemic due to heavier, more frequent periods. So I had a Mirena coil to reduce my chances of getting anaemic again, partly thinking that it would also be the progesterone part of HRT if I went down that route, and a happy side effect was reduction in monthly rages.

Thanks @KangarooKenny

I'm only 40 but my mum had her last period at 43. She was also diagnosed with osteoporosis at age 61 and her GP said to tell any Dds they were high risk for osteoporosis but also likely to experience menopause earlier. Her mum also menopause in her early 40s and osteo from a young age.

Similar to you I had extremely heavy periods and clotting and now have the mirena coil. I got this at 38 and it's completely stoped my cycle which has been amazing.

However, I've still been experiencing other symptoms in the last 12 months mostly the rage/emotional ones in my OP but also hot flushes, poor sleep, dry skin, tiredness/no motivation.

I'm getting blood tests at GP to see if it shows any signs but given my family history the Gp has said that if/when the blood tests rule out anything potentially more sinister he's happy to look at HRT options if that's what I want.

I just feel the rage/irritability/unreasonable crying is impacting my relationships & standard of life so much that I'd try anything at this point. The thought of this lasting for 5 or 10 years is depressing!!

You need to seriously think about (and take) HRT.

early meno tends to run in families.

Medical advice is that you use HRT to at least aged 50/51
That is the age of average menopause.

At that point you should have a bone density scan.

Then you can decide if you want to carry on with HRT. There is no time limit. In people like you with a history of osteo in the family, you might want to take it for much longer- into your 60s or 70s.

You don't need to feel like you do now.

Even if you didn't have any symptoms, medical advice is that HRT is used for both early menopause and also when there is family history of osteo. And with regular bone checks every 2-3 years, for life.

Thanks @JinglingSpringbells

I'm completely open to taking HRT. My mum had bone density scans due to family history and originally had osteopenia in early 50s and osteoporosis by early 60s.

If it stops the way I'm currently feeling, I'm all for it!

What I was wondering if it started at 40, would the emotional-ness be over by 45/50 vs if it starts at 45 it would end at 50/55?

I was hoping for a silver lining like if it starts early, it ends early? Or is it more a case that if it starts early you suffer longer?

What I was wondering if it started at 40, would the emotional-ness be over by 45/50 vs if it starts at 45 it would end at 50/55?

How long is a piece of string?

No one can tell you. Not all women get emotional or psychological issues with meno. Some just get the physical symptoms. And some of those women have them forever, without hrt.

Does it matter anyway if you are going to use HRT because that should help and you won't feel emotional on it. As to what happens when you stop using it (if ever) then you'd have to wait and see.

I’m through menopause now (mid 40s) having started about 5 years earlier. I thought I had got through ok. Then felt terrible (sort of lost, like my whole life was over) about 3 months ago.
I’ve recently started hrt and feel so much better.
I now realise all the many things I’ve been experiencing over the last few years: chronic anxiety, mood swings, brain not working, loss of libido etc are due to menopause and I didn’t get off lightly after all. I put it all down to external stresses but hormones are really important!

Peri never happened to me. I didn't have those symptoms (or HRT).
I hope you find a way to feel better soon.