Peri and what to do?

[bebeenjoysthetheatre]

I think I've started perimenopause and I don't really know what my options are. I've been to the GP who did one blood test I think this was during ovulation and said he sees know problems with my hormones. My symptoms are:

Changes to skin - psoriasis and allergic reactions which I've never had before.
Changes to period - cycles are now completely irregular 7-14 days early or late
Changes to mood - low mood and easily irritable
PMS - intense low mood for about 2 weeks during my cycle
Hot flashes - waking up with night sweats
Weight gain - despite increasing exercise routine and eating healthier
Low sex drive - completion disappeared
Easily irritated by kids - I am usually the calm and rational parent and have suddenly no tolerance
Forgetful - forgetting what I'm doing

It's driving me mad. I don't know if I can pursue anything or if the doctors can help me with anything. I have audhd and from my experience in puberty I was a complete wreck. I don't want to go through another massive hormone imbalance.

Can anyone help?

I can't help but I can relate - I'm in exactly the same position at 42. I tried getting a GOs appt but it's impossible at my surgery atm. Wondering whether to go private or just struggle on.

Can allergic reactions be part of peri menopause? My skin has been ridiculously awful for about a year - every moisturiser I try I am allergic too.
Didnt realise it could be anything else.

I’ve got all your other symptoms too. No advice but you’re not on your own! I really need to find out more about it all too.

Nothing to add but here for solidarity. My skin is awful at the moment 🥲

@ILoveNigelTufnel

Apparently falling oestrogen levels cause skin problems. I've had oily skin all my life and it's suddenly so dry.

@DrawersOnTheDoors the thought of this worsening over the next 5-10 years is just panic inducing.

It feels like a fairly classic set of symptoms, was hrt discussed at all?

@drinkwithanumbrellainit no they did the blood test and said no problems.

In much the same situation - add in thinning hair - and I am so itchy this week. Hormones fine apparently, so not sure how much fuss to make or at what point to expect it all to ramp up.

Following with interest as I'm 44 and in a similar position. Been thinking I should go to the GP. It's not fun is it?!

It's really not fun. It all just seems so bloody unfair.

How old are you? Over 45 they should just go on symptoms and not blood tests.

Even under 45, a normal blood test doesn't mean it isn't peri as hormones vary all the time.

I called my surgery and asked who I should make an appointment with to discuss peri menopause. The receptionist told me one of the nurses had specialist training and booked me a 25 min appointment with her.

The nurse was great, stated no blood test needed as hormones fluctuate. She prescribed hrt patches which I’ll start when I’m in the right place in my cycle. I’m 46.

I was advised by a gynacologist that specialises in women's health and menopause that a blood can't tell you anything about peri menopause it is mainly to check your iron levels, thyroid functions etc so your gp is wrong in thinking it can. Your gp should be going by your symptoms which do sound like peri

@AnnaMagnani I'm 37 so I feel that's contributing to the doctors brushing me off.

@Dulra thanks for this. I'm going to book in again today. I'm just filled with dread of having a decade of this.

I was told that no blood test could tell you if you are in perimenopause.

I agree with PP, go and see a specialist. It took me 18 months to get HRT on the NHS, I wish I'd paid to go private. It's been so miserable.

Do you use Facebook at all? There is an excellent group on there called Perimenopause, menopause… let’s enjoy living. Full of great advice and support. I don’t normally recommend FB groups. But this one is truly great. (It’s not mine, I am just a grateful member.)

I honestly felt like I was losing my mind. Now I’m on a mixture of HRT and supplements & things are improving.

good luck! I hope you find some help soon.

I've just come out of a GP appt to discuss this, I'm 39 so it would be early but felt I needed to check.

She said the blood test isn't 100% accurate but it's the best they've got to work with.

@TreasurePieLand thanks for this I'll check it out.

@trampoline123 are the going to do anything to help with symptoms?

I seen an endocrinologist recently for another condition, and we started discussing peri-menopause, she was a similar age to me and had been looking into it quite a bit as she had started symptoms, she believes the bottom line is GPs can't do anything for peri-menopause but don't seem to explain that to patients, and just say your bloods are fine.

Blood tests don't diagnose perimenopause. They can rule out other issues if under 44. Blood tests for hormones are unreliable as they fluctuate loads even in one day. Consider downloading the free Balance App to track your symptoms and there is a lot of info on there too about different ways of helping the issues including HRT.

If under 45 blood tests can been done to diagnose early menopause, however, are unreliable since hormones fluctuate massively through the cycle and the test should be done more than once to measure FSH levels. Note that if you’re on any hormonal contraception this will obscure results.
I’m attaching the Nice menopause guidelines in the UK - note the sections on diagnosing perimenopause and also the last section on POI https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23

This is a useful easy to understand menopause booklet with symptoms checkers and other information https://menopausesupport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MEN0921351544-005_Menopause-Support-Booklet-5-3.pdf

@bebeenjoysthetheatre for now we will wait until the blood results are back and review.

Apart from the night sweats she said my other symptoms could be related to stress/depression or just burn out- it's been a tough few years and I have 2 under 3 and work full time so it's a lot all the time.