Early Menopause?

[TiptoeThroughTheToadstools]

I have just turned 40, for the past year I've had the most horrific night sweats, bed sheets and jammies soaked through. I did go to the GP when it started and was told its not menopause, it's hormonal (?) I haven't seen my period in 6 months and my skin and nails are really crap. I'm having an outbreak of spots on my face and bum of all places, I've never had spots, not even as a teenager. I suffer from anxiety anyway but do think my fuse has been a lot shorter recently. I'm reluctant to go to the GP because they were so dismissive the last time. Essentially I was told it can't possibly be menopause because of my age... does this sound familiar to anyone?

You could see if there is a doctor in your practice that specialises in menopause.

At 37 I went through similar and was told too young despite my mum and nana going through menopause at around 40. I’m now 45 have a more clued up doctor and having HRT and soon to be on testosterone. Feeling much better.

My old doctor was well meaning but prescribed AD instead of HRT. Which are going to be a bugger to come off when my problems (mainly anxiety, insomnia and night sweats) may have been sorted by just replacing hormones.

My current doctor did my bloods just after starting HRT (about 9 months ago) and everything was low, I’ve no idea about periods as I have the mirena coil, but I suspect I would be post menopausal now.

Better late than never, but with the right doctor it could have been much better. And I do worry about the long term health implications of missing those hormones.

Thanks so much for your reply, I think it's pot luck whether I get a decent doctor or not unfortunately. But I'll make an appointment and try again!

It does sound familiar unfortunately. I’ve been on a hell of a rollercoaster since I was 38 (now 43). The GP was so dismissive, they told me ‘It can’t be that, you’re too young’. They assumed it was stress and being underweight, although I repeatedly told them my habits had not changed and my weight had always been stable. I had to go see a private gynae to be finally heard. She prescribed hormone tests, blood and thyroid tests, DEXA scan, took a full history of my family health, and - crucially- asked me about my mental health. Which had been crap for many years but I just thought it was because of ‘life’, and being naturally prone to sadness. Turns out I was in advanced peri menopause at 41. And had a beginning of osteoporosis I’d never known about if it was for the NHS. She immediately put me on HRT, and my mental health and symptoms (joint pains, hair loss, extreme fatigue, depression, memory loss, loss of meaning, purpose, motivation) have massively improved in the past year. I’m still having trouble to be fair - my GP and her are in constant disagreement and I’m absolutely confused about the right HRT doses yet, as they tell me opposite things. But just being on some HRT has honestly change my life. I recommend seeing a specialist if you can. The NHS are painfully unprepared and under funded so they will always try to dismiss any unusual case as improbable, rather than dig into it. Good luck and hugs on your journey 🌻

I started having symptoms of peri-menopause in early 40s (IVF can hasten onset). I had some hotness at night but mostly my symptoms were joint & muscle aches (I felt like I was 70!), raging insomnia, sudden rush of anxiety/panic/dread for no reason at all (can happen whilst watching telly or more usually when trying to fall asleep), and as you say a suddenly very short fuse.

i was v reluctant to try HRT due to concerns about breast cancer but my symptoms got so bad that my wife basically insisted I speak to our lady GP - who was lovely and put me on patches and now I’m much better and not so mad.

i’d say speak to a doctor who knows something about menopause.

Also, you may find this interview with just such a doctor - Dr Mary Haver - informative and useful prep for speaking to GPS.