What's available to me?

[Northernlurker]

I think it might be time to send out a feeler for some medical help. This is a big thing for me as I am a nhs manager and I don't really go in for accessing medical help that's for the patients and that's not me
But....I'm 46, mum started menopause at 45. Period has been all over the place for three to four years. 26 to 35 days. This year we've gone to 40+ days twice and the current period is totally batshit. Started with spotting for three days before any red bleeding, v stop and start but constant. However never anything like as heavy as usual. One pad per day. Now on day bloody 13! So that's pissing me off.
V tender breasts about three weeks before this too,

However that's bugger all compared to the anxiety. We got a kitten a week ago to live with our old cat and objectively all is going v well. However my anxiety doesn't know that and kicked in very badly mid week. To the point I barely ate for a couple of days, felt absolutely sick, concentration shot to hell, v weepy. Asa wise colleague said, it's not the kitten. It's work quite a bit, see above for my profession! But it's also bloody hormones. It's dreadful in the morning and very hard work to function. I had a total breakdown at work on Friday and scared my poor manager. Evenings are much better. I started some multivitamins today,

Do you think it's time for a gp visit? I am significantly overweight and get migraines so I think options are limited.

Fucking hell, why you've waited so long to get help is beyond me. I very strongly suggest you go to a private peri-menopause/menopause clinic as soon as possible. HRT is a lifesaver and can massively help, especially with your anxiety. I also think seeing a dietitian could be hugely beneficial.

Oh right. You think so? I don't really have any physical symptoms aside from the current batshit period. No sweats, no flushes, no trouble sleeping except a little touch of insomnia in the really bad anxious days last week. I just don't want to work myself up to ask for help and get told it's not bad enough or not amenable to help. And I don't want antidepressants or even anxiety meds.

Right, enough's enough by the sound of it.

First of all I'd recommend a Mirena coil as that'll sort out the periods. I got one for similar reasons at 44 and never had another one.

Also, HRT. The Mirena will give you the progesterone part of it, then you need oestrogen in the form of gel or a patch.

Honestly, it'll sort out the periods and the anxiety, enable you to function in a high pressure job (I know all about this) and you'll feel like a new woman. I promise.

You don't need antidepressants or anxiety meds. Ask your GP for what you need, don't be fobbed off. Try a private clinic if your GP isn't helpful. Best of luck.

Thank you. Is there an alternative to the Mirena though? I didn't really want to have to have one if I could help it. Not been on hormonal contraception since I was 30 and we completed our family. DH got the snip. I don't really fancy the painful procedure although having had three kids you can probs drive a bus in there......

There are plenty of options for HRT.

Tablets- Femoston is almost body-identical and one of the best.

Patches

Gel plus Utrogestan for 12 days a month.

All types of HRT should set a regular cycle (that's how they work) and the bleeding may be less. reason that PPs are suggesting the Mirena is it pretty much zaps heavy bleeds and is often bleed-free.