39 and it's been going on for 5 years (has it though?!)

[Sertmos]

Please help me with advice 🙏🏻. In 2019 I went to the doctor because I was having horrendous mood swings and night sweats; doctor sent me for a hospital appointment to get my lungs x-rayed because she thought it was more likely to be TB than perimenopause 🤔. It wasn't TB. That was October 2019 and for one reason or another I didn't follow it up and COVID came along. It was February 2023 before I went back to the doctor (extra issues- weight gain, facial hair, aching body included) she Said I was still too young at 38. She booked me in for a blood test but as I have no periods (due to having been fitted with the mirena coil since my second child was born in 2016) it was just at a random time, whenever they could fit me in. As far as I know you're supposed to have 2 tests 6 weeks apart. That didn't happen.

I began to think that it was just me, that crying crazy lady kicking off at the drop of a hat (or fork/napkin/bit of food by my young kids at the dinner table 🙈).

Now in 2024 it seems to be ramping up and the moods are becoming more frequent (though the night sweats less so) inability to sleep is debilitating and the aching is worse than ever.

Has anyone here started at 34? Did you get disbelieved? Any tips on how to ride the storm and what happens next? ❤️

My friend was in perimenopause at 35

I'm 37. Noticed these things creeping in from around 35. All the women on my mum's side have a history of early menopause. Like you I've had doctors say it's something else, new one is like yeah it most likely is, but I have other issues that means hormonal control is not an option so it was a case of "yeah most likely, but you'll have to suck it up and crack on!" Empathise, it's crap

Have you had the coil in constantly since 2016?
It sounds like the coil doesn't suit you.
Or something about the hormones doesn't suit you.
Just because it worked for a while ok, doesn't mean it will suit you forever.

Not that I'm saying it's not peri, but have you had bloods done to check your thyroid because those symptoms are bang on for under active thyroid

I had night sweats in my late 30’s and bad mood swings

Ask your GP to refer you to a menopause consultant.
If you can afford it, refer yourself and pay for it privately.
Are you in the UK? Just noting the timing of your post.
If you're overseas, your medical system may differ.

The way to ride the storm is to use HRT and find a dr who's clued up on early menopause.

If you have a mirena coil you won't know if your periods have stopped naturally.

It's REALLY important to address this. Premature menopause is periods stopping before aged 40. This means there is a very much higher risk of bone loss (osteoporosis) and heart disease. And possibly dementia.
This isn't scaremongering - it's all online if you look.

https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/030-early-menopause-and-poi-dr-sarah-ball-and-dr-louise-newson/

https://www.daisynetwork.org/about-poi/what-is-poi/

Your other symptoms - weight gain and hair- can be a sign of PCOS so maybe you need an ultrasound to check your ovaries.

I'd gone through full menopause by time I was 36 so not totally mad thought. It is hard to determine on blood tests though if on contraception

My sister was 38 when diagnosed and it had been happening a few years around that point. She had a great gp who repeated bloods and confirmed it.

She took hrt due to risk of brittle bones etc .

Ask for the two sets of bloods to be done

Good point about coil it could be affect test results

This.
Very much worth getting checked.
Simple blood test.

I'm really interested in this post as I am 38 and believe that the symptoms I have been experiencing are the beginnings of perimenopause. I am having irregular bleeding (amongst other things) and the GPs answer is for me to try the Mirena. I too wonder if I am in perimenopause - I am suffering from irregular spotting across my periods, pins and needles, joint pain, rage and recurrent thrush. All tests have come back normal (including pelvic scans, colposcopy for bleeding etc). Would you recommend the Mirena? I know that my friend had one and after 3 years she struggled with symptoms. As a previous poster said, does it need replacing?

I've had those symptoms and others that pp have mentioned (ohhhh the thrush and spots and brain fog and greasy hair!!) and now finally diagnosed as perimenopause and on HRT. My symptoms started age 35-36 and now 41 and only given HRT about 3 months ago and things are going well. Word of warning, the menopause specialist at my doctors' gave me only one hormone at first which was dangerous (especially due to other conditions I have) so if you go for HRT please check its got oestrogen and pro oestrogen (I'm sure that's the correct hormones, but apologies if not - your gp should know!) or it can cause complications and actually worsen symptoms!

Luckily for me I don't need birth control so it was easier to rule out every other ailment before they admitted it was perimenopause, but it still took 5 solid years of frequent investigations. Honestly they were very reluctant to diagnose and everyone says I'm too young 🙄 but obviously not as it's happening!

Hi, I had it replaced in 2021, prior to that I'd had one since 2016 and before that 2006-2011.

I'm not in the UK anymore, no. Unfortunately it's proving to be quite difficult where I am to get registered for healthcare but I'll press on trying! I had full bloods done last in 2019 and all was fine. I will try to get them redone as soon as I can 🙏🏻

Thanks to you all for taking the time to reply. There are a few things for me to look into there and I will. I really appreciate the suggestions and advice 🙏🏻

Obviously healthcare outside the UK and the behaviour of drs varies hugely.

A lot of what has been suggested here won't apply.

Good luck with it all.

Thank you so much. I'm in an EU country, the time of my op was because my sleep is rubbish rather than being in a different time zone! Healthcare is difficult because they're all set up for EU immigrants and getting the receptionist to believe that the paperwork that they're wanting is not possible for me is really difficult! I'll persevere as what has been suggested is slightly alarming... I'll also get some calcium tablets next time I'm out, just in case!

Also, I think I'll get the coil removed so I can see what is going on without distractions (when it's possible for me to see a nurse!). It's not like I have any desire for my husband to be anywhere near me anyway 😅