Is it possible to start the menopause at 36?

[ButterflyWings13]

I'm not going to lie I don't know much about menopause I do know my mum and nans went through it in their 40's.

Lately I've been having hot flushes that make me dizzy and clammy. I've also out of no where started having panic attacks when I go out even though nothing in my life has changed

My period has been a bit all over the place the last few months it used to not be very heavy and last 4 days now it can go on for 7

I feel like I'm losing my mind and can't think what else it could be?

Thanks for any help

Its possible to start perimenopause 10 years before you go through full menopause. So I think its possible at 36, but it is early.

Have you been to your GP? might be worth getting bloods done to check for other things. Could be a thyroid issue or deficiency instead?

@DaisyCat33 thank you I have a telephone call booked with my GP tomorrow so hopefully they will be able to shine some light on it

Yes, and it's shit, but don't expect much from your GP. Don't let them fob you off. Many still think of HRT as radioactive material and they will especially be inclined to be hesitant because of your age. Mine didn't want to touch me with a bargepole because of my age (mid 30s), and then I felt like I was passed from person to person at the gynaecologists. I have non-regular case as well as my symptoms started after having the 3rd dose of Pfizer vaccine (I had a totally positive attitude previously towards vaccines generally).

Sounds to me like you're having estrogen fluctuations, but again, this may not be clear on blood tests. They'll be able to tell if your estrogen is within normal range for the general population, but not what's within normal range for you, so please don't let anyone say to you 'yep everything's normal on paper therefore you're fine'. You can have menopausal symptoms even if your blood test shows that you aren't yet in pre-menopause stage, and that worth considering if you get a sceptical response from your GP, or any nonsense about you going on old-school anti-depressants like amitriptyline(which have been used to treat hot flashes).

Yes. I started perimenopause at 35, but didn't have my last period until 53, and those 8 years were...challenging at times. My gynecologist said that often the earlier perimenopause starts the longer the menopause process takes. Sorry, OP.

It absolutely could be menopause, ask if your g.p. practice has a menopause nurse and make an appointment, honestly mine was bloody brilliant. Have a read / listen to davina mccolls book 'menopausing' I'm finding it really useful

Before 40 a cessation of periods would be classed as premature menopause, or POI - premature ovarian insufficiency - and is not the same as the natural menopause.

The perimenopause can last some time but rarely starts before 40 and needs bloods to investigate if it does. HRT isn’t necessarily the right treatment, a combined pill may be more appropriate. You need to discuss your symptoms with the GP and they should suggest taking some bloods.