Peri and menopause - how are we all doing? Chat thread.

[Slavica]

I keep reading the threads in the menopause topic and think we might profit from a general chat thread. A lot of the questions get asked, in different ways, in separate threads - maybe it would be useful to have a general chat thread?

I am 48, in perimenopause, started taking 200mg utrogestan this cycle. My symptoms are mood swings, low mood, hot flashes and night sweats - but the latter two don't really bother me, it's the mood and lack of motivation that really concern me. Currently on cd35 (my cycles have been 21-24 days during the last three years), I guess maybe I'm missing my first ever period.

Anyone else getting a lot of skin tags? My mother's family all have them, I had some since pregnancy, but now I am developing a lot of them (including the really tiny annoying ones). I might be turning into a hag, for some reason the skin tags really, really bug me even though I've never been much into looks.

How are you doing? Stable? Still looking for a solution? Please share.

54 and been on HRT about 3 years (mirena coil which sorted the periods out) and oestrogel.

Worse symptoms were hating my husband low mood and general aches in joints.

Actually increased my gel dose a few weeks ago and have been feeling much more chirpy.

So so. If someone can tell me how to help with the bone hurting fatigue that would improve my life so much. Sometimes my arms and legs feel like lead. I have bought some spatone to up my iron. Not sure if it will help.

Low motivation has hit me like a ton of bricks. House a messy hovel- still have a suitcase from a weekend away still unpacked In bedroom.

going to start HRT tomorrow as can’t face this a minute longer.

I’m 11 weeks into HRT - Estrodot 50 patches and progestrogen? capsules on a fortnight on/fortnight off pattern. Insomnia’s what finally drove me to ask for HRT. I still sleep like someone with a newish baby, waking frequently. I’ve been using oestrogen cream locally for 15+ months & the HRT is not touching those symptoms either. My sleep improves on the progestrogen, but immediately tanks when I stop taking it. I’m hot and bothered most of the time though not flushes, more like someone’s left the heating on 24/7. That got worse after starting the oestrogen patches too. Sigh. I’m due back for my review/new prescription next week. Someone please tell me it gets better.

Good idea for a thread OP! I finally had a follow up chat with my GP who has given me a choice of HRT or antidepressants, so not sure what to do about that really.

She also got me straight on to X-ray and joint health about my menopausal achey knees, so will be interesting to see what that finds out.

The last few days I've been so itchy it's been driving me mad.

Oh god yes, I'm late 40s and the skin tags are awful! I also have jowls appearing overnight and my neck looks ancient 😫

I've been on HRT for a year but still confused about whether I'm taking the right dose. There's almost no follow up help from GP after you get it. I'd love to have the money for a private menopause clinic just for some support.

I feel much better on HRT but still struggling with brain fog and sleeping. Usually get about 3 hours at a stretch!

I've not had a period for years, they started to go irregular from around the age of 35/36, never had a single menopausal symptom apart from periods stopping, I'm now into my 50's.

Loving it! Best time of my life!

um

I'll get my coat .....

I’m 6 weeks into my patches. I had to fight for it as I am only 40. My anxiety is hugely decreased, as is irritable bladder, i’m
sleeping better and generally feel better in myself. I think I ache less but it’s hard to tell because I am exercising a lot less, which is what causes my aching. weird fluttering feeling has pretty much gone.
no improvement on: hair falling out, tiredness, palpitations. Period was still heavy and clotty (only had 1 since being on meds)

honestly, I and my dr think my symptoms are thyroid related not menopause. Second gp wants me to come off HRT and have anxiety meds. I have a second thyroid test in 2 weeks so we’ll see.

there are so many conditions with the sand symptoms, it’s impossible to diagnose really but I have definitely noticed an improvement in some areas since having HRT

Hi joining this thread!

I'm 40 and only had 2 periods since March, both really really light. I'm having night sweats, anxiety is awful and currently have a UTI which I've never had before. Got blood tests next week followed up by a doctors appointment to see if it is peri/menopause.

My mum was 44 and my auntie was 36 so wouldn't be absurd if it was the case.

Not sure what I want, just some reassurance and maybe HRT to protect my bones if blood test confirms weird hormones

Good idea!

Peri menopause - I think I'm around four months into HRT patches. Trouble especially with hot flushes and sleep.
They've helped with the flushes, though I'm still getting them faintly late at night, and I overheat a lot of the time. Sleep is the same. I think I have more energy and anxiety is better. Periods very irregular.

Agreeing the overheating is terrible. I go bright red at the gym now, anywhere indoors really. I have stamina I just can't cope with the heat.

I'm 54 and last had a period about 2 months ago. Before that they were pretty regular.
I'm having very intense hot flushes, a lot of problems with sleep and crushing tiredness.

Apart from that I'm fine

I don't know if I am more moody than usual. I've always been quite moody.

Apart from the hot flushes most of the common symptoms are things I feel like I've had forever.

Good to hear from everyone, though sorry that many are feeling symptoms. @pieintheski ,@MaydinEssex , nice to have you here, too! There is hope on the other side.

I forgot - typically - the most annoying symptom I have, insomnia. Or rather, early morning waking and being really easy to wake up. Progesterone really helps that so far, but when I'm off it, my sleep crumbles very easily. Having a teen with a different biorhythm, while living in an apartment, doesn't help. I was asleep by 10 last night, woke up when she came in at 11 and couldn't go back to sleep until after 1. But I did go back to sleep, which is never a given these days.

It is so frustrating that many conditions' symptoms overlap, @thenewaveragebear1983 . I hope you manage to get to the bottom of the thyroid issues and titrate medicines, if any are necessary. It seems that peri is definitely a factor, as patches helped and you only had one period in four months (unless that used to be your normal).

@HeyJudeNanananana , you are young and have family history. Seeing whether HRT would be indicated in your case for osteoporosis prevention is the right move!

I currently have a lot of skin tags as well! Haven't had this many since pregnancy. Did not know they could be meno-related.

I'm 45 and haven't had any hint of a period for 15 months, so take it I'm done with the 'peri' bit now...

Hi I’m nearly 46 and been on HRT for 3 months patches and utrogestan for 12days a month. It was increased anxiety, brain fog and night sweats that brought me to try HRT anxiety has decreased and no night sweats anymore still have brain fog but hoping it will help that in time. X

I was on the mini pill, utrogestan 100mg daily & a 50 evorel patch. I swapped to the mirena coil 6 weeks ago as utrogestan kept going out of stock & it was bloating me & making me spotty. I now have the coil & a 75 evorel patch. No sweats, but I still overheat, my mood & motivation are up & down. But the itching, irritable bladder & rage have gone.

Good idea for a thread. I am really struggling with overwhelming anxiety, lack of motivation, trouble sleeping, tiredness and brain fog. Oh yes and increased allergies / itching.

My GP has been great. I have been signed off, I am on 3 pumps and sertraline. However the horrible tightness in my chest and the thoughts of 'running away' are still there.

55 and had a period last week 😭 first in 9 months. Seem to be having them every 7 months or so with flooding for the last 4 years, 9 months is the longest gap so far and it was quite light. Hopefully that was the last one.

I had some night sweats for a year or so around 50ish, some achy joints, and overall I feel a bit "warmer" which saves a fortune in heating!

Some brain fog, insomnia (some of that might be because I also have a teen out to all hours at night now!) and feeling a bit flat at times, but I have been lucky it is nothing too extreme and I have a boss going through the same thing who is supportive.

The worst has been the itchy vulva which I have not had for a long time but came back with the usual pre menstrual symptoms 2-3 weeks ago, but it only really bothers me at night for a week or so, it wakes me up and I cope by slapping on the Vagisil.

Scrolling this thread and god it feels like a lightbulb has gone off! I had no idea that poor sleep not caused by hot flushes was a symptom, I also have extremely itchy skin and the skin tags along with fatigue, but due to life circumstances and lifelong psoriasis I didn't link the new symptoms to possible pre menopause! Guess a gp visit is in order! Thank you ladies x

You are my people. I'm 52 and have been on hrt for 3 weeks for crippling anxiety. Evorel conti as I haven't had a period for 14 months. I have all the physical symptoms- heart racing, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, feelings of not being able to cope. Might I ask those of you who found that hrt helped anxiety how long did it take to settle? My hot flushes have waned a lot since starting hrt but the anxiety is still as extreme.

Also I am really cold all the time (apart from during hot flushes) - does anyone else have that as a symptom? Currently lying under a blanket in front of an open fire.

I would like to know this too if anyone can help? 3 weeks on patch. How long before improvement?