Perimenopause at 38

[ZCH]

Hi all,
I just wanted to know if anyone is in/ experienced a similar situation to me. I feel like I am going insane and being gaslit by everyone I know when I try to explain.

Im 38 of Indian origin. Had my first baby at 27 via emergency c-section and everything after that was great. My body looked the same as before pregnancy and my hair was thick etc.
I then got pregnant almost 10 years later. C-section. So hard- recovery was terrible, I had trouble right from the start.
2 years later and I’m unrecognisable. My weight has ballooned even though I’ve been back at work a year- do 15,000 steps a day and have a PT twice a week.
Over the past 4 months I’ve lost around 60% of my hair. My mood swings are so extreme and border on suicidal thoughts.

My whole life and body have changed since having a second child. I thought I had undiagnosed postnatal depression. But the doctor said it’s perimenopause and it’s common after childbirth in women under 40 of Indian origin. She wants me to start HRT.
I don’t mind if it will help with weight loss and hair regrowth- but I’ve read opposing outcomes.

I feel gaslit by others because when I talk about the biggest indicators that something is not right with me (weight, hair and mood), they say things like:
’oh it’s not that bad- you still look ok’
’just watch your diet’
’cut your hair so it’s not that bad’
’don’t overthink things’

Is there anyone who can relate and can share what they found has helped?
I just took my first dose of Hormone Harmony. I feel like I may have been duped but I’m willing to try anything!

Has your thyroid been checked? Please go to your Dr and ask if not. This sounds similar to my symptoms after my first child and it turns out I had thyroid problems. Now all resolved once I’ve been on medication. Certainly worth checking.

Has your Iron been checked? The issues you mentioned could be due to anemia. Which would make sense if you had a Csection.

Sorry- I should have mentioned that I had blood tests last week. Looking at 3 things: thyroid, full blood count and hormone.

Results are ‘normal’ with my oestrogen (and something else I can’t remember) being at the low end of ‘normal’.
Receptionist said it’s not urgent so just a routine follow up is needed mid-August.

Hi @ZCH , I was wondering how you are getting on? I'm similar age and in a similar boat and wondering whether I've hit perimenipause? Did the hormone harmony tablets help?

I was at the same situation 7 years ago! I was suicidal with awful symptoms, no child and depression. I had no idea that I was perimenopausal. After spending a lot of time and money to find out that I was at menopause, I started hrt. My life came to normal but the whole situation was a bad dream I don’t want to remember.

@JoyApple the tablets did help. I took them alongside Viviscal hair supplements. But I am not inconsistent with it. When I took the Hormone Harmony for 3 months and was doing my PT sessions, I noticed a difference in my weight. The tablets do curb hunger and reduce appetite.
I am out of the routine at the moment- personal issues have set me back with everything massively.

My hair is not recovering- a trip to Turkey is on the cards for hair transplant or stem cell treatment.

My mental health is much better than when I first wrote this post. Although I have the same thoughts and levels of anger that can scare me sometimes, these happen less frequently. Usually just before I start my period. Which is still like clockwork and for a ‘normal’ number of days.

I’m reluctant to start HRT. Based on my background the risks of HRT are even greater. I have been advised to see a gynaecologist and an endocrinologist first.
I’ve been told (by friends who are GPS and a trichologist) not to start HRT until I’ve done all my checks.

I still feel terrible almost every day and can’t find a lot of joy in life. I’m not myself at all. And I am angry a lot. Hormone Harmony helped while I was taking it. But it’s not a long term or sustainable solution.

Sorry- this is a long post but wanted to be as honest as possible!

I hope you’re ok. Get the blood tests done. My changes in hormones were really low which is why I’ve been advised to get more tests done. It could be perimenopause or it might be something else.

I’ll post back on here when I get my act together and make the appointments.

@ZCH sorry to hear things are still tough for you. I hope you find healing. Thank you for sharing your experience. I look forward to reading your update.

I've ordered the harmony tablets and hoping to start them soon.