Is this peri?

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Morning all. Somewhat at my wits end. Am 41. Since having my last child 2.5 years ago my periods, though regular, have been hideously heavy. Will go no further.

In the last few months/most of this year, my anxiety and intrusive thoughts have sky rocketed, insomnia is ridiculous. I have to medicate to sleep and even then I am nearly always awake for several hours in the night. The worst is when I am up from around 1am for the day. This happens at least once a week. I get horrible hot sweats at night, I have to keep the fan on me.

In the last few weeks I have become unbelievably lethargic, mentally and physically. I simply do not have any energy and get exhausted easily. I am usually energetic by nature. I do not have the capacity to concentrate on anything even remotely complicated. My work is being affected by this as I don't have the energy/mental wherewithal to do my job effectively.

I've only just found out that my mum started the menopause (ie her periods started slowing down/stopping) in her late 40s.

Could this be perimenopause? If so, what should I do? I'm speaking to a GP this afternoon.

Ps. Long time lurker on mumsnet but this is first post with a new username.

Thanks all.

Sounds like it to me. Give HRT a try - it might change your life.

First of all I’d get your iron, thyroid and B12 checked. And will you have a mirena coil to hopefully reduce/stop periods?
Then I’d give up alcohol - it gave me night sweats and disturbed sleep.
Get vitamin B complex for energy.
Get magnesium glycinate for sleep, and have a tidy bedroom with a good sleep routine.

I recently had bloods as my iron levels were low but now take supplements. I've had two low iron "dips" in the past and it's affected me completely differently to this.

I also take a vitamin B supplement.

Might be worth asking for more tests though as I suppose it can change rapidly.

If you can’t get HRT yet, try magnesium L-threonate or lions mane for brain fog

Two people suggesting thyroid should be checked. Will mention that this afternoon, thank you.

Will also look into magnesium.

I've tried not drinking and didn't seem to make any difference so I'm enjoying a glass of red again!

I think it might be - changes to normal bleeding patterns, sleep issues, anxiety - yep.

I started on Menopause and that really helped.
Get some good quality magnesium, that helps sleep.

These two sorted out sleeplessness and anxiety for about 7 of my 8 years so far.

I also lost weight through intermittent fasting. That helped my body feel better and not ache. I realised that my aging body could not do what it used to do and it did not need the calories it used to need as the metabolism slowed down, and I didn't need extra weight to lug around.

I am now on low dose HRT because the anxious thoughts got too much and it has really helped, but I managed the first many years of peri using supplements alone.

Have a hug - it doesn't go backwards but you CAN get on top of it and it DOES come with good things too.

Thank you so much for this. I used intermittent fasting and lost a lot of weight last year but it's crept back up a bit this year. I try to exercise every morning but energy has become a big problem so feel like I'm doing the bare minimum now.

I will get some magnesium supplements and speak to docs re checking thyroid. Is Menopause a supplement?

Menopace - sorry, it changed in the typing! Menopace is available today from chemists - game changer I found.

When you are not sleeping, you may be depleting yourself even more by heavy exercise - why not just stretch in the mornings for now, and make self care a massive priority?

It's tough isn't it. But also very freeing. You can't carry on being everything to everyone, you have to become your own woman now or get sick, and some say that's the point of menopause - to stop care taking everyone and to become a woman in your own right, living out these next 30 years being fulfilled for yourself and giving your wisdom to life. God knows it needs it!

Ah thank you, I will look for that!

I really appreciate your kind words and they really hit home. I have two young children, eldest has very complex additional needs, I work full time and main earner so no opportunity for a break. As is (unfortunately) typical, all life admin and problems, all financial management falls to me.

I feel like I'm in burnout on top of all this and my mental health has declined as a result.

It's a difficult time. I'm so very grateful for you all for taking the time to respond. I don't have many people I can turn to.

Time to spread the load. Your body is telling you.