In a short space I've time peri menopause has completely floored me

[toepick]

I'm 45

I'm a personal trainer and I'm super fit/strong. The kind of person that does crazy fitness challenges for fun. Out going and sociable etc

In the last six months I have lost my oomph and just feel flat and numb

I don't want to go out anymore and although I'm still exercising it feels like just going through the motions

I've gained weight for the first time in a decade. My diet is good but I'll admit I'm drinking more alcohol after I'd really cut back because it's a crutch and something to look forward to

I ache and I'm sore. My bladder is playing up. I don't sleep and my sex drive has plummeted

I'm scared because I feel like I could spiral into a bad place and I have a family to support and my job requires me to be healthy, happy and motivated

I used to still have dreams and drive to do well. Now I just love bedtime and weekend wine

I've got GP appointment today

Big hugs I’m 43 and feel exactly the same, my gp totally brushed me off and I think I’m going to do it via Bupa in January

This was me, just turned 47, was away in the summer and felt off. Was on combined pill for years. Suddenly had all the peri symptoms, although bleed was regular due to pill. Went to GP and came off pill and onto hrt. Still early days but they are helping. Hope your appointment goes well.

Ditto. I could have written that. Super healthy, bouncy, extrovert who absolutely loved life. Out of nowhere, panic attacks, night sweats, aching, headaches, insomnia, you name it…
About to turn 44 in a fortnight, this last six months I wonder what the hell happened!
But, now taking an anti anxiety medication and HRT, seeing improvements slowly. Got a blood test next week to see if level. If I am, looking at testosterone in January. Hoping that’s my final piece of the puzzle…
good luck to you.

I feel your pain! When I was 38 I suddenly started getting rage, itchy legs and forearms, brain fog, hot flashes, low libido and sex was incredibly painful. My period’s stopped as well. My GP was brilliant and prescribed me HRT pessaries as I suffered with vaginal atrophy. The pessaries helped with the atrophy and my sex drive came back however what I found really helped was a herbal supplement called black cohosh and a menopause general vitamin. I don’t suffer with and symptoms at the moment (unfortunately my periods came back) I try and have a healthy lifestyle and exercise 4-5 times a week. I hope things get better for you!

It's so shit. I have no resilience at all. Everything exhausts me.

I totally relate. I’m 38 and for the past year I have been floored by it 😞. I was always such a motivated, determined person but lately I just feel meh. Plus the migraines, oh the migraines 😩. You have my total sympathy. I can’t imagine how hard it must be trying to be a positive, motivating, personal trainer and feeling this way.

I was the same at 40. I’ve almost got myself back now after trialling various HRT preparations, cutting out alcohol completely, intermittent fasting and forcing myself to exercise at least twice a week.

I look back and am a bit wow about how crazy I went before HRT. Hope you get it sorted OP

mine is just starting. The one thing that got me was the bone crushing fatigue. Taking a spatone every morning has stopped that for now. I am a more anxious person than I was. And my pill doesn’t stop my periods anymore. Other than that I’m okay. But sat here waiting for the rest of the life altering stuff to happen.

Stop drinking. HRT. In 6 months time you’ll be a different woman.

HRT was life changing for me OP. Watch the Davina programmes on C4 they were so informative xx