Is this peri?

[ScaredSceptic]

I'll be 50 in a few months. Over the last few years I've noticed increasing aches and pains and my periods have changed (sometimes late, sometimes early, shorter duration etc). I also get random flushing of the face, chest and neck. Not sure if it's hot flushes as such, as it's only my face that feels boiling, not my body.

But what is really concerning me, and has me thinking about going to GP, is that over the last year I've been increasingly struggling with inability to concentrate and focus. It's really affecting my job. My role is mentally taxing with little light relief, and some days (many days to be honest) I just sit staring at the computer screen because I can't seem to think clearly. It seems to be a combination of not being able to think as quickly, coherently, and sharply as I used to, and also a lack of motivation.

The latter is affecting home life too. I'm someone who has always been very on top of life admin, but now, I just can't get round to doing things. Even health care - I'm well overdue my dentist check up and my smear test, and I just keep putting these things off.

I've thought about whether I might be depressed, but I don't think so. I suffered from depression many years ago, but this doesn't feel the same. It's not that I can't see the point in anything, or that I can't enjoy things or look forward to things, it's more that I just don't have the energy.

I also feel generally more anxious and emotional.

I've put off going to the GP about it, partly because I can't be bothered with the hassle, and partly because I'm very overweight, and I don't know if that means HRT wouldn't even be an option. It's also likely the GP will blame my weight for all these issues. I'm not daft, I know it will be a factor, but I don't think it's the only factor.

Does this sound like peri?

Yup!

With respect, you're nearly 50 so yes 100%. Hormones fluctuate from 40 so you'll have been in peri for years, probably now nearing actual meno.

Just Google and read up on it. Try lifestyle changes to improve sleep and mood, so exercise is a great help and doesn't have to be gym classes etc just walk as much as possible for starters. As you're very overweight that will obviously exacerbate any meno problems so join a club to lose weight, being with others is more motivating.

Ask for an appointment to see a hcp to get bloods checked to rule out other causes like thyroid issues etc. You must get booked in for a cervical screen though, fine miss the dentist the worst thing that will happen is you'll get toothache but smears are so vital to prevent serious problems.

You're GP may prescribe HRT even if you're obese, they'll take other factors into account too. Good luck.

Thanks for the replies. Obviously I realise I'm at the peri menopausal stage at my age, I was more asking whether the lack of motivation, inability to focus and concentrate is likely to be down to peri.

I knew that some of my physical symptoms and changes would be down to this but for some reason it hadn't occurred to me that how I feel mentally and the general lack of energy might also be related to peri. Probably because it's crept up on me over time without me really noticing, like the boiling frog, and it's only now that it's really impacting on my work that I've realised how bad it is.

I get the odd random day or two when I suddenly feel like me again, as though a fog has lifted, and it's great, but it never lasts. I guess that could be down to fluctuating hormones.

Of course I know it's important to get my smear test done, but that's the point - I can't even seem to get round to doing things I know I really must. I have an ever increasing list of things that need sorting out, some of them really simple things (eg ring the guy to arrange for him to come and clean out the gutters). For some reason I keep putting things off endlessly, always thinking I'll do it tomorrow. It's as though I just don't have the mental energy or drive to do anything other than the absolute necessities.

I don't like taking medication if it can be avoided, but I guess I need to speak to someone to find out if HRT is an option for me, and rule out other possible causes.

I feel like this - I'm sure it is peri.

I’ve found these help with the brain fog. I think. Maybe it’s a placebo effect.

https://amzn.to/3Ov56nj

OP it's not really medication though. It's replacing what you"ve lost.

For me, it was the crying at random times, the vaginal atrophy and horrendous flooding periods.

I haven't had much change to the mental acuity or energy levels yet, BUT I'm trying testosterone next and hopefully that will give me the energy back.

It sounds very much like peri meno to me. Read through some of the pages of threads on here and you'll soon find other women who've had exactly the same experience.