Is this peri? Is there any point in seeing a doctor yet?

[Justhereforaibu1]

Hello and thanks for reading. I'll try keep this brief.
Stopped breastfeeding my son in January, 2 years postpartum.
Periods every 24 days, lasting 8 days. Periods back about 8 months. Always get migraines for 1 or 2 days the week after period.

3 months ago had spotting for 5 days, awful migraine and vertigo attack then 8 day period.

Next period was OK.

Most recent one had really bad pms for 7 days, exhausted like pregnancy ( def not) migraines for 10 days with period starting in the middle, then 13 day period. I think this period was 5 or 6 days late. Period now ended and I have migraine again 😩

Having a lot of incontinence, was OK after kids but this has come on suddenly. Manageable.

Skin suddenly oily and spotty

Sprouting loads of thick hairs on my jawline 😳to join the regular two or 3!

Been taking perimenopause vitamins for a couple of months.

Periods heavier than usual the past year.

It sounds like peri doesn't it?
Do I need to be having symptoms for longer to see a doc? I'm only 42.

Anyone had the same and what was the timescale?

Migraines first started when taking contraceptive pill so don't know if HRT is going to agree with me. Mini pill sent me a bit crazy!

Sorry to say that in my experience there is no point in seeing a doctor at all. What would you like a GP to do?

Yes, see a GP.

You need blood tests (only used for women under 45) and perhaps HRT.

It's not the same as the Pill at all. So ignore that.

In retrospect my peri started when I was about 45....
It was such a slow change, tinnitus, my ear wax completely dried up. My eye sight went, dry eyes. Then joint pain and the most horrible anxiety. By the age of 51 i feel completely broken. I should have got help sooner. Go and see your GP don't be fobbed off, I wish you well

I'm sorry you've felt unsupported. I guess I want to ask if there are any tests they can do and discuss HRT but I don't know if you had to be having symptoms for much longer.

Thank you. Why under 45s?

Sorry you've had a rubbish time. I hope you're feeling better now. I know there's at least one GP at my practice who's great for this type thing so I'll try get an appointment soon as.

If the GP is useless, just to say Boots and Superdrug have a menopause ‘service’. So you can get a test, online consultation etc.

Thank you I didn't know that

Blood tests are only used under 45 because you are assumed to be in peri if over 45 and symptomatic.

@Justhereforaibu1 Because over 45 a diagnosis is based on symptoms (as it's much more likely it IS hormonal) and the tests are very unreliable as hormone levels vary so much.

Whereas in women under 45, there may be other reasons that need recognising/ treating.

If you see your GP, you should take a list of all your symptoms, especially the change in your periods.

A change to your cycle - longer/ shorter/ heavier flow or less - is what they tend to focus on to make a diagnosis.

I doubt they offer this at the right level for someone under 45.

I don't think they offer blood tests. (Any other test is useless.)

The usual way is two blood tests, on specific days of the cycle, over 2 months.

Online pharmacies can't offer that.

I'm under 45 and didn't need blood tests and my diagnosis was made based upon my symptoms. I thought tests were generally a bit useless in younger women at the beginning of peri. I used the Women's Health Clinic who were great as was struggling to get GP appt and it wasn't that expensive - approx £200 - once you and they are happy you are on the right kind and amount of HRT (if needed) they will transfer you back to your own GP.

thewomenshealth.clinic/menopause/

Your experience goes against NICE guidance so I wonder if the clinic was cost-cutting? It's not that cheap because in some areas consultants charge £250 whereas the clinic you linked to it's only a nurse.

It's blood tests after 45 that are unreliable as most women will be in peri then.

Under 45, blood tests are used to identify other issues like thyroid and other conditions.

Whether it's peri or not you need to see a GP and get it sorted. You shouldn't be putting up with that. Asking your GP had a women's health specialist. Mine does and she's fab.

Definitely phone your GP surgery. They may have a specialist GP or nurse to talk to about menopause.

I downloaded different peri-menopause symptom checklists, then phoned the surgery and asked for a GP appointment to talk about perimenopause.

I'm under 45 but the GP took me on my list of symptoms. Started a 3 month trial of HRT a few weeks ago.

If there is something different or you are concerned about your health then don't be put off from seeing a doctor.

I was 42 and having peri symptoms like yourself. My doctor was brilliant and looked at the written list I’d given to her and after a blood test to rule out anything else going on, gave me HRT. It’s been life changing.
wish you the best, don’t delay, not all doctors are useless :)