Home tests (yes I know but they are consisteently positive)

[Megifer]

Currently under investigations over some possibly worrying symptoms, but GP thinks more likely peri.

The GP said the hormone bloods she's getting me to do won't be hugely helpful as they'd have to be done every few days.

Soooo in a moment of madness a few weeks ago I bought a load of home menopause tests from Tesco that were on offer 🙈

I've done one every 3 days for the past 2 weeks, no idea where I am in my cycle now as periods are either late or every 2 weeks 😩

Every test I've done has been positive. One had a faint line, the others the positive line came up immediately very strong. I got DP to do one just to see if they are maybe a sham and his was negative which he was relieved about 😬

Is it worth me mentioning these tests to the GP? Is there any merit in the fact I've done one every 3 days so it's a consistent positive over 2 weeks? I don't want to look daft if I mention these.....

I’m not sure what you’re trying to establish? Fluctuating / changing periods can be a sign of menopause along with other symptoms, though we might not get any. If over 45 blood tests aren’t needed to diagnose menopause. If thought to be in early menopause FSH tests might be done on 2 different occasions, however can still be inconclusive due to fluctuating hormones.

Sorry I thought I made sense 🤣

I'm under 45

Strange symptoms that point to peri but GP wants to rule other things out

Shes ordered hormone tests but says they'd have to be done every few days over a little while to be very useful

So I bought home tests and have tested every few days for 2 weeks

All tests have been positive for high FSH

Trying to establish if this is worth mentioning to GP or are home tests still a total waste of time even if done every few days

That makes more sense - note that if you are taking any hormonal treatment eg contraception this will change the results. I've attached the Nice Menopause Guidelines - check the diagnosing menopause and the diagnosing premature ovarian insufficiency sections.

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations#diagnosing-and-managing-premature-ovarian-insufficiency

If you're close to 45 some GPs will diagnose just on symptoms. If younger (under 40) tests might be done to establish this and also rule out other causes eg thyroid dysfunction or nutrient deficiency. Regardless of the tests you've done it might be best to wait for this to be done. If under 40 and menopause is diagnosed HRT should be discussed with you.

I've also attached a useful booklet that includes 2 symptoms checkers https://menopausesupport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Understanding-Menopause-booklet-poster-replaced-Oct-23-1-scaled.jpg

Thanks I've got all that info 😃

Not on contraceptives. Very close to 45.

Was just wondering if its worth mentioning to the gp I've done about 6 home tests in the last 2 weeks that were all positive. So are home tests more reliable in this instance because I've done them every few days iyswim?

(Also tbh I did get myself in a bit of a state last week about symptoms so it would be a bit reassuring if someone thinks 6 tests/2 weeks = maybe fairly reliable).

Not actually sure how I feel about HRT. The way I feel now I think I'd be ok managing without for a while. Maybe apart from my cycle seeming to go from 50+ days to 15 days 😩 if nothing else it's costing me a fortune as of course my fragile allergic to everything vulva has to have bamboo/organic expensive pads 🙄

If you are very close to 45, just forget it, it's peri.

There isn't some magical change between 44 and 6 months to 45 and 1 day.

GP thinks it peri, you think it is peri, its going to be peri.

And get some vaginal oestrogen for your poor vulva. You can buy it at a chemist if necessary.

I was quite happy to try without HRT, my undercarriage was not.

Yea GP thinks its peri but wants to rule anything else out, it's that that's spooked me a bit but I understand why, I think its because cycle has gone right down to 2 weeks and it's often bright red throughout and constant brown discharge inbetween (sorry tmi) so she wants to check it's not bleeding from somewhere else 😔

Lets hope its not as just had a letter through saying if I don't hear about an ultrasound appointment by end of JUNE to chase them up 😩

Can that part of it? Everything says itchy vag but mine is definitely just the area outside, I have good/ bad days with it. On the bad days I can't sleep for the itching and have to put a packed lunch freezer pack in a sock on it 😩 tried all sorts of creams like vagisil etc, I just put it down to a reaction from wearing pads etc 😔

Definitely. Even with HRT I still need to use an oestrogen pessary AND put oestrogen cream around the outside.

The instructions say twice a week but many women need it more often.

Afraid I have no idea how reliable the tests are but might be reliable enough in indicating peri. A GP test would give a specific number rather than positive/negative. If anything else is rules out you could mention this if you want.

What Anna said if you are close to 45 -pretty much the same thing as being 45. There might be something in your symptoms that has flagged up doing tests to rule anything else out eg fatigue due to low iron. Always a good idea if a GP suggests doing it.

Re vulval symptoms @AnnaMagnani although a great suggestion Gina (estradiol pessary) is only available OTC via a pharmacy after health screening, and anyone under 50 would be signposted to their GP. Deepening on all genital symptoms a cream that can be used externally might be helpful on the vulva eg Estriol 1mg (Ovestin as a name has been debranded).

No need for HRT if you have symptoms that are manageable without. Periods can change so much and varies from woman to woman. Mine got massively heavy especially if I missed a month then might have a couple 2 weeks apart and often lasted longer with brown blood at the end for a few days.

TOTM is quite a good vulva friendly pad you can buy, or invest in some period pants. I used a moon cup when I was having periods and with vaginal atrophy I bought some cotton/bamboo liners which were a good investment. I also used emollient ointment eg Hydromol/Epaderm to protect and prevent friction.

Have you had a look (magnified face mirror optional)? I used together skin splits between the labia causing itching. blood is a different PH to the vaginal biome (as is semen) Andean cause irritation. Your Dr might also want to rule out Lichen Sclerosus (similar symptoms to VA but generally affects just the vulva)
An ice pack is a good idea as you're - also try a warm sitz bath. Plus emollient ointment (in a tub) as a barrier against irritation and friction.
If you're switched to bleach/perfume/irritant free pads also look at toilet paper (I use Cheeky Panda), body wash, shampoo, and washing detergent that can also cause irritation.

Hi, can I ask what symptoms you are having? I’ve been having pelvic pain, feel very hot randomly and cycle has been 23 days for last few months.

I thought it was peri as I’m 45, been to docs and am currently under investigation with a variety of tests.

Ah thank you for all this, I've tried period pads but the seams irritate 😩 I use TOTM or flo pads now but have to wear one all the time as I have no idea when I might start bleeding again! It's like the shittest lottery ever

I've looked and it's just red and dry looking 😔

Hey

I've got (not all constantly)

Cycle going to 50+ days on occasion
Recently gone to 2 weeks with bright red blood sometimes
Brown discharge nearly constantly (although last week none, its like a switch has been flicked)
Period pain when I'm not bleeding that knocks me sick
Itchy flaps etc. - may or may not be part of it
Sometimes get roasting hot for maybe 2 mins max
Night sweats, not very often tbf
Absolute fury, and I do mean fury, I frighten myself sometimes with how angry I feel
Then I get very down and apathetic
Avoiding meetings/speaking to people and avoid going into the office which really isn't like me, I love going to the office!
Hair has gone shit
Zits overnight
Dry skin on face overnight
Hairy top lip overnight
Nightmares/VERY intense dreams that take a while to realise aren't real/crying in my sleep
Palpitations

I think that's it? 😬

Gp said the main ones that flag up peri for her was my cycle change and colour of blood, fury/apathy/avoiding people, brown discharge, family history and the occasional hot feeling/sweats.

My cycle going weird started about 1.5 years ago but settled to normal and she said that's a sign too? It all kick starting again after settling for so long.

Has your doc sent you for any scans re period pain?

I can relate to the zits going as well. Only nice bit of the process but the rotters came with the HRT. Hair has sadly not improved though, it's gone weird and dry.

Waiting for an appointment to come through for a scan but it will be after June apparently so no great urgency it seems.

I had an u/s about 1.5 years ago and an abdo CT scan about 4 months ago and the report said uterus and ovaries looked normal so hoping if it was anything worrying it would have shown up then.

Oh that’s a relief then, the reason I asked was because I was sent for an ultra sound and they are looking closely at one of my cysts. It’s only 2cm so shouldn’t be causing me pain (or that’s what I’m being told) I’m now having blood tests for everything.

I’ve also had terrible mood swings and rage, it just comes out of no where.

Yea I've had a couple of cysts in the past that caused cramps and backache but only on one side and had a very interesting evening of "lets play the When Should I Go to A&E over this pain game" when one burst 😖 that was only a small one 1.5cm. Other one was bigger but that went on its own.

My gynae said cysts can behave differently each time? First one caused a lot of bleeding, second one I had no period for 3 months although that was when things first started kicking off with poss peri symptoms so might have been a coincidence.

interestingly the smaller one hurt way more than the bigger one!

Try some emollient ointment - it can be used as often as you want on the vulva and can also be used to wash with.

I'll get some tomorrow thank you!

When you have mood swings and rage does it affect your breathing

Sounds very much like peri to me but as you're under 45 the GP is following the NICE guidelines by doing tests to rule out other conditions; things like thyroid hormones being out of whack or an iron deficiency could be causing or contributing to your symptoms so it's good to get those checked. I don't think the tests do much other than waste money so probably not helpful but having done them you might as well mention them though they're unlikely to change anything.

Just thought I'd update in case it helps anyone else ☺️

I had my scan earlier this week as they'd had a cancellation. Everything fine, no cysts etc. Bloods did come back fine apart from raised FSH and slightly raised cholesterol so I need to cut out the sweet treats and shit food. Interestingly I never had a sweet tooth until the last year or so!

GP said as scan fine, and thyroid/iron etc fine shes suggesting i try the progesterone only pill to start with and see how I get on with that, as that might help with mood crashes and will sort out my cycle so it's more predictable.

Am back in 2 weeks so need to decide. I can see some women say progesterone only was amazing and others quite the opposite so thinking ill just give it a go, sounds like I'll know fairly quick if it's not for me.