Any advice for perimenopause symptoms?

[Lovetoread123]

I’m late forties and work full time with two children and a partner who is great- life is busy with little downtime. I’m feeling generally worn out and finding myself getting frustrated by small things more than usual, have had increasingly heavy periods until this month when I’ve had no period which is unusual. Hip, knee and shoulder joints ache (feels like start of arthritis which runs in the family), noticing focus and brain fog/memory difficulties. Any advice from others who have been through similar? Thanks

My symptoms didn't hit until post menopause and I felt like I was losing my mind. Worsening insomnia until I was awake from between 2-3 am several nights a week and the rest from 4-5am and when I was asleep it was so light any noise would wake me. Joint pain and stiffness where I couldn't pick things off the floor or from bottom shelf in work. Memory loss where I kept losing papers etc in work and losing my thought or even the word i needed mid sentence. Worsening histamine issues around food allergies and developing hay fever.
I didn't even know these things were symptoms associated with losing hormones but when I eventually realised I had my GP check my iron, thyroid, Vit B and when all were fine I started HRT. Within 2 and a half weeks I was sleeping again and everything else improved too. I don't bother with alcohol now because it's too hard to judge whether the histamine effects will be fine or v much not on any given day.

Thanks so much @Zampa I’ll explore those supplements. Sounds really worth trying. I got my two week late period yesterday and it’s very heavy - feeling a bit fed up about it all today!

Thank you @MILLYmo0se thats so good to hear although I’m sorry you had such a difficult time. Sometimes I can’t even remember my colleague’s names immediately which sounds ridiculous and I wondered if I’ve got early dementia or something. I will go to GP as everyone recommends and it’s good to know the odds are much more likely in favour of a hormone issue than anything like dementia.

I'm afraid there's very minimal evidence for supplements, and a balanced diet is more important.

I found the following useful: swimming, yoga, a wool duvet, natural fabrics generally, sunshine and fresh air, a good scream now and again.

I’m really grateful to everyone who has replied to my question. Thank you. It’s good to know I’m not alone and I hope it’s helpful to others too. We have our own unique challenges but as women we really are amazing and collectively we are a superpower!

I could have written your post. I have all the same symptoms including very heavy periods but skipped the last one.
I haventbywt gone down the HRT route but will if symptoms get worse .
I started raking Menopace, evening primrose oil abd magnesium avfew months ago (magnesium at bedtime as helps with sleep). I have to say that my symptoms have massively improved.

OP

For HRT, you will need both progesterone and oestrogen - the former is either delivered via tablets or the Mirena coil, the latter via tablets, gel or patches.

It's very scary, I was always so organised before and language has always been my 'thing', read constantly as a child and have a degree in English and suddenly I couldn't rely on my brain to hold a simple conversation.