Is this peri?

[Whatadayyyyyyy]

I am 41, nearly 42. About 3 years ago I went thru several months of anxiety, night sweats, low mood, libido changes and irregular periods. A couple of years ago my periods were all over the place. They also got much shorter so went from average 5 days to 2-3 days. I would go sometimes 2-3 weeks between periods to 6-7 weeks. I had my last period in jan this year and nothing since. I feel so much better recently. No night sweats, anxiety all but gone and sex drive is back! Does this sound like I was experiencing peri or actual menopause? I never thought at the time due to my age but just recently I’ve been wondering if that’s what it was all along?

Def sounds like peri, but I think menopause is defined as not having a period for 2 years.

I think a GP visit would be good though, given your age.

It sounds very much like it!. You can experience peri up to 10 years before the full menopause. Take care of yourself and don't forget to get HRT if symptoms reappear to prevent osteoporosis. 😅

If it is IT ( ie no more periods ever) that is early and almost premature menopause @Whatadayyyyyyy .

I hope you don't mind this info, but it is classed as a medical condition if women's periods stop before 45. (Or 40- when it's premature menopause.)

The treatment is HRT to the age of 51 at least.
This is to prevent bone loss, heart disease and dementia.
It's well-documented so this isn't 'scaremongering'.
If your periods don't come back you need to see your GP about HRT.
It doesn't carry any risks for younger women.

I would definitely see your doctor if you haven't already. They usually want you to take hrt if periods stop before 45 due to risk of things like osteoporosis.
I'm the same as you but at the stage of having very short cycles and heavy periods (also have fibroids) and some poor sleep and night sweats. And, as I posted about this morning, extremely stiff ankles which I don't know if is peri related or something else (anemia? I'm on iron supplements but keep forgetting them)
I've also gained weight around my middle without changing diet/habits.

Although the average age of menopause is 45 to 55 it’s not uncommon to experience symptoms and fluctuating periods before that. If you were under 40, it might be more of an issue where HRT would be advised at least till the average age of menopause.

There is some useful information here https://menopausesupport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MEN0921351544-005_Menopause-Support-Booklet-5-3.pdf

Also Nice Menopause Guidelines here https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23

It's still a concern if periods stop before 45.
From the booklet in the link -
The permanent cessation of periods between the age of 40 and 45 is known as early menopause

Up to 5% of bone per year can be lost very quickly after periods stop, for up to around 5 years , then the loss still continues but the rate slows down.

This means that by the time someone with an early menopause reaches the average age of menopause (51) they could have lost 25% of their bone density. It's really important to take action as soon as possible.

I don’t think the OP would be termed as her periods having permanently stopped
The decision to take HRT is individual, looking at individual risks and benefits with a Dr. There is some useful information in this video about early menopause including risk factors, HRT, where contraception might be preferable, the ovaries waking up, other causes and lifestyle measures to help
https://thebms.org.uk/publications/bms-tv/other-videos/

It certainly sounds like it but I'd really recommend seeing your GP - in biological terms you're still on the younger side and may need to look into HRT in order to prevent issues like dementia or osteoporosis.