Early perimenopause?

[fieldsofbutterflies]

Back story: I've had issues with my periods since I started age 12. As a teenager I was diagnosed with dysmenorrhea and suffered with cramps, nausea and fainting. Tried various forms of the pill but while they made my periods lighter, they made my skin, mood and anxiety even worse so stopped that in my twenties and my periods became a bit more manageable.

Around 28 I had issues with heavy mid-cycle bleeding and went to the GP to rule out anything sinister - smear was clear (and always has been) and scans showed I didn't have cysts or fibroids or cancer etc. I've had issues with bleeding on/off ever since and take tranexamic acid and ibuprofen every month to try and control it. Periods have always been as regular as clockwork throughout. I can go months with no issues, then a few months of what I assume to be ovulation spotting or really heavy periods.

Last year (around 33) I started having the odd irregular period. Not every month but maybe every 5-6 months. Normally I'm every 28 days but these would be 14-20 days after my last period, then it would be the usual 28 days until the next one. The irregular "periods" only last a few days but can be heavy enough to need a tampon for a day or so.

GP isn't worried and has just said it's hormones or that I have a weird cycle but could this be peri? I'm 35 now and have a few other symptoms - night sweats/hot flushes, very dry skin and increased headaches mainly.

My mum didn't start menopause until her forties if that's relevant. I don't have any siblings or anything to ask either. Sorry it's so long!

Sounds very much like it could be. I've literally just listened to a podcast with a menopause expert who said that, unless you have a fever, hot flushes are only caused by menopause. (The Mel Robbins Podcast: The #1 Menopause Doctor. March 21 episode.)

Thanks @ServeMeTheSky . I've done a few online quiz things but I'm reluctant to pay any money at this stage as it's still very manageable.

The GP was a bit useless really, just said that as they'd ruled out things like cancer, that it was probably hormones and basically left me to get on with it. I'm mid-cycle now and had some spotting a day or two ago, and a bit of stringy brown blood (TMI sorry!) earlier today, but now nothing. This happens every few months with the odd day of heavier mid-cycle bleeding.

OP I'm older than you (41) but in my 30's my periods suddenly started being all over the place. I also very occasionally (once every few months) totally skipped a period. I then had a couple of year of really heavy periods. I went to the gp and was referred to the hospital but both totally dismissed me. I had a weird two day, super early and super light period last month and nothing this. I'm really worried that I've already been through peri and I'm now done. Going back to the gp next week. Good luck, don't let them fob you off if you think something is wrong.

Thanks @RosieCosy I'm going to make another appointment. It seems they took me seriously until scans ruled out cancer/fibroids and now it's like "well, you'll just have to deal with it".

Most things I read online say it's too young but I've had a search on here and it seems it's not as uncommon as it seems.

@fieldsofbutterflies Early or premature menopause (that's when periods stop not just become irregular) is a medical condition that needs treatment.

Premature- before age 40
Early- before age 45

Look at the website The Daisy Network (run by consultants) which explains it all.

It's also called Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. You can find out a lot through Google.

IF this is what you have, the medical advice is to use HRT to age 51 at least. This is to protect your heart, bones (from osteoporosis) and brain.

Thanks @JinglingSpringbells - my issue is that the GP won't take it seriously. Bloods and scans have all come back normal so I feel a bit fobbed off, really.

I suppose it's just a case of going back again (and again) until someone listens.

You're going to have to be assertive.

Of course bloods and scan won't show anything.

The first sign of POI is irregular periods.

Why not print some info off the web (from medical sites like the Daisy Network) and take it to your GP to discuss.

And insist on a 2nd opinion from a gynaecologist. (If necessary and you can afford it, make a private appt and pay for it.)

If you don't do anything about it, you can very easily get osteoporosis.

You really need to keep on at them.

Thanks both - I'm going to make another appointment after the weekend and make a list of symptoms.

I kind of brushed it off as just weird periods as I've always had issues but I think there are too many symptoms to ignore now. I just feel too young for all of this 😩

I'm going through the same and im 32 so have been brushed off as too early to start menopause. Hot flushes, anxiety, night sweats and my periods are normally so light I can't wear a tampon now and they are really irregular for about 12 months.

How stupid is your doctor? Do they think there are iron clad rules that your hormones must obey, that your progesterone won't start dropping until you are 35 because that's the average age for it to happen?! And if they 'cant' be peri menopausal symptoms what Is their diagnosis then?!
I gave birth at 31, symptoms under investigation by 33, diagnosis of premature ovarian failure at 34 and post menopausal by 38. You need to find a better doctor, this isn't just about treating your symptoms, being without your hormones 10-15 years earlier than most woman has added implications for your bones, heart and brain.