Does this sound like Peri-Menopause?

[Samila]

Hi

Just looking for some advice on whether this sounds like peri-menopause.

I have a doctors appt booked in for 2 weeks time but just wanted to hear about other peoples experiences etc

I am 41, will be 42 next month. My periods have always been like clockwork.

However, my last period was earlier than it has ever been before and this months period hasnt even arrived yet but if it does eventually arrive it will be the latest period I have had. I am experiencing what are completely irregular cycles for my body.

I have been looking up symptoms of peri-menopause but they mostly mention it happening between the ages of 45 and 50.

I wondered if my symptoms sound very typical of perimenopause or whether it could be down to something more serious like Ovarian cancer? At the moment the irregular period is my only symptom and I am not feeling bloated or losing weight or anything else.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated thank you!!

Samila

I’m 39 and my periods have gone from 28 days on the dot to anywhere between 23 days and 31 days. My mum was even younger than me when hers started to change so I would say it definitely could be.

Overwhelm
Tired
Angry / rage / snapping
Confused / forgetful
Not so articulate as used to be
Can't multi task any more
Sensitive to noise / light

Any of those ring a bell? Other that physical symptoms:

Joint pain
Dry eyes
Hair loss
Crap skin
Insomnia
Hot flushes

My first signs were periods becoming heavier and closer together, and increasing PMT.

I am the same age and my periods are similar, sometimes I have 2 in a month and other times I go 6 weeks with nothing. I do have other symptoms such as head aches, the most awful PMT and night sweats.

Wow, I have so many of these symptoms when I think about it and I hadn’t associated any of them with the menopause.

Not being as articulate is a big one - I often feel like I can’t get words out quickly enough and when I do I sometimes can’t think of the right word. That’s crazy that it could be caused by peri-menopause.

I also find myself overwhelmed easily.

Thank you for posting this!

I had many weird periods during my forties. Looking back I don’t think it was perimenopause but just one of those things. Definitely not ovarian cancer

Thank you for all your messages. Re-assuring to read. Think it is just a shock when you have always been regular and then all of a sudden have no idea at all when your period may or may not come.

I am 50, my periods used to be like clockwork and pretty light. About 5 years ago they started going all over the place, and really heavy. I miss some, some are 2 weeks apart. I have no other menopause symptoms currently so counting my blessings and just making sure I am always stocked up on sanitary products!

According to MNers, every possible non-malignant health problem symptom after the age of 40 is due to (peri)menop. There's no point in asking about any specific symptoms. The answer is always yes.

Oh, and HRT is a magical cure or at least help for it all too. Except that it may take years of effort to get the 'right' HRT for you. Never the case that HRT doesn't help.