Is this Perimenopause?

[AlwaysFoldingWashing]

Hi
Just looking for some opinion on whether people think I may have some perimenopause symptoms. I have noticed the following things over the last few months (probably since around March). I had a miscarriage in February and initially thought some of the changes were due to that but I'm now unsure. I am 33, which I think would be on the young side for peri although I may be wrong.

Potential Symptoms include;
Changed to previously very consistent menstrual cycle. Previously very regular, 5 day period. Since March it has been very sporadic, very irregular, very light and has not lasted more than 3 days

Frequent headaches which I never used to have

Getting very hot and stuffy, to the point of feeling sick. Day and night, in and off.

Very short tempered some times and becoming very angry over tiny issues when I am normally very laidback and patient

Reduced sex drive, previously very high and now very little interest

Tired often (but have a toddler so could be more to do with that?)

Weight gain all around my middle- previous weight gain would always be other areas such as thighs

Grateful for any advice

Sorry if obvious but are you definitely not pregnant op?

I'm 37 and going to GP for exact same!! It's all very strange.

Hi no definitely not, I had thought that too and have tested monthly just as a precaution but all negative

Hopefully we can get some answers soon! My mum was in her 50s when she started menopause and I thought I might be about the same but not looking likely

I am also 37 with many of the same symptoms. Went to GP when it started a year ago (periods had been very irregular for a year at that point) and had lots of tests which were all normal, reassuringly.
The GP told me it couldn’t be perimenopause as I was too young (36 then) and put the irregular periods/frequent spotting down to a cervical polyp. Gynae removed the polyp told me it wasn’t necessary to remove and that wouldn’t have caused irregular bleeding.
Ive since educated myself, listened to a lot of podcasts and audiobooks and gone to a medical herbalist. Had a great herbal mix (includes agnus castus) periods are now much more regular and symptoms very much reduced. I’m TTC so that’s another factor for me.
recommend Davina McCall’s menopause shows on C4, you can still see them on there.

But yes, first stage of perimenopause is the irregular periods so it is entirely possible from mid 30s (and younger).
did you have irregular periods when you started them and in your teens/early 20s?

Sorry about your miscarriage . As problems have arisen since then it may just be the aftermath of that, both physical and psychological.

I'd give it another 6mths and see how you are, things can take a while to settle. Have you had any support, counselling?

Thanks for all the recommendations. We are also TTC which is why I have been paying so much attention l. Have had periods since I was 11 and have never had any issues. Very regular and predictable. Perhaps the miscarriage has had more impact than I realised. I will give Davina videos a watch. Thanks everyone

I had my smear today and raised my concerns with the nurse who was very dismissive.....didn't even let me finish list I v the symptoms just said it wouldn't be menopause. Not exactly supportive and offered no alternative suggestions

At 33 it really would be unusual but hcps have time constraints so if booked in for a cervical screen that'll be what they'd have been focused on. If you seriously think it is peri then book again and see a GP. Ask for a referral to gynae or for bloods to be checked.

You have a right to be taken seriously even if the likelihood of it being meno related are slim.

Can I suggest you ask your mum and blood related aunties when they went through menopause. Unfortunately GPS do not always keep as up to date with health topics as they should. Also ask for a referral to a menopause specialist as you could be an outlier.

sorry about your miscarriage 🥲, I’ve had two so know how hard it is. Unlikely to be menopause as you are young? interesting thread though, as I am wondering the same. I’m a bit older (38) but since having my DD nearly 2 years ago my previously very regular cycles have been strange, longer, shorter, sometimes heavier, sometimes lighter and no longer like clockwork. I find my previous PMT symptoms are very exaggerated - ie I get very nervous and anxious with heart palpitations before my period, very tired and sluggish at certain points in my cycle. It feels like my hormones have gone into overdrive iyswim. Also I’m sure I had a hot flush yesterday! I do wonder though whether I’m just reading into things as menopause has been in the news so much recently? Also my family in the maternal side didn’t go through menopause early (I know this as a lot of them did, and are still having babies into their 40’s).

@Againstthegrai sorry to hear you are also having issues. Definitely going to look into this further and see if there are other explanations. My mum and granny were both in their 50s but were both late to start periods whereas I was on the earlier side (11).

Some good advice from pp which I will also look into.

Appreciate its an early age to be thinking about menopause but reassured to hear other women of a similar age are experiencing similar symptoms

I’m really sorry to hear you felt that the nurse was dismissive. It would be worth bringing up your concerns with your GP, I did this and had some tests last year - LH/FSH/oestrogen. However taken at the wrong time in my cycle and no follow up (said ‘normal’)

Although your symptoms may not be related to menopause, they are real and need to be investigated. It sounds like a hormone imbalance (which includes what happens in perimenopause - I believe that this is my issue, and I’m 37).

It is totally possible to go through this before 45 and not that rare. It is called primary ovarian insufficiency and 1 in 100 women go through it under 40 and a smaller number under 30, even some in their teens and 20s.

you might find the link below of interest regarding considerations relating to TTC . I found it quite reassuring - as long as you are ovulating some of the time and manage to catch the egg then you can conceive - https://myloworld.com/blogs/fertility/ttc-perimenopause-and-early-menopause-your-straight-talking-guide

Meant to say whether or not your symptoms are related to menopause, they are real and need to be investigated.

Thanks @CurlyWurly1991 this is really helpful to hear and I agree, regardless of what it is, it does need to be looked at. Thanks very much

Hope you're doing okay.
Have you found anything more out? I'm in the exact same position to yourself so searching for some help/advice