What age for peri?

[rosao]

I'm 37 and pretty sure I'm having symptoms/signs of peri-menopause. I had some hormone blood test a while back due to mid cycle bleeding and was told everything is fine, I didn't get actual numbers.

My main issues are periods that have changed, they're still regular but some months are very heavy but shorter length.
Im not sleeping well, I wake up between 1am-3am and can't get back to sleep.
I've always had anxiety but this is now everyday and often verging on what I think are panic attacks.
Facial flushing- starts with my ears getting hot and red, then my face turns red and I get a red angry looking rash on my chest also.

I'm at a loss really as my hormone levels were okay. Considering trying a private menopause clinic.

Gp has been quite dismissive really because of my age.

So long story short, what age did you start having peri symptoms and are mine typical?

Quite possible. I'm a bit older (44), been on HRT for a year now and probably peri for at least a year before. Never had hormone levels tested as my understanding is that it's often not very reliable and that Drs should be using symptoms for decision-making. My GP was too busy so just went private. This is who I accessed and found super helpful.
https://silvery.blue/

Thank you, I've also read that hormone testing isn't particularly accurate at this stage. What type of peri symptoms did you have if you don't mind sharing? Has the hrt helped?

I'm 40 and can recognise the symptoms you're talking about. I assumed I was peri but had no test. Add into the mix vaginal dryness a sex drive vanishing. 😢
And I'm noticing wrinkles on my skin which bizarrely I'm most upset about.

Insomnia - exactly as you describe- and anxiety were my first symptoms. I was 45 when they started. HRT has been absolutely amazing for me.

I hadn't considered sex drive but on reflection that's taken a bit of a nose dive also!

I've not got any symptoms yet and I'm 42.

I do think I'm on the younger side which makes me worry that it may be something else but I had fertility testing in my 20s and remember my ovarian reserve blood test, AMH being lower than expected so I wonder if that means earlier menopause.

I started having symptoms at 39 (I’m 41 now). My periods stopped for 6 months (they’re now back with a vengeance) I also had vaginal atrophy, itchy skin, hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog and panicky feelings at random times. I’ve only recently started HRT and I already feel better. My blood tests never showed any hormonal changes

Also, same I struggled to conceive and had very low AMH so expected it would come earlier

Totally possible, Fearne Cotton recent Happy Place podcast episode with Naomi Watts might be interesting and covers this.

My periods stopped when I was 38 and never came back. I had dreadful hot flushes , and all the other symptoms. I didn’t have any tests and just presumed it was an early menopause . My dm was the same.
I was feeling much better in myself by the time all my friends started to run into problems

I'm 44 and to paraphrase the dr hormone blood tests are bollocks because hormones can fluctuate multiple times a day.
Had gp consultation in oct over the phone.I didn't have all the perimenopause symptoms but enough for my female gp to offer hrt.I chose tablets.
Been on them 4 months and although I had first 2 months feeling dizzy,weird and shit.I feel great now.

I'm now 45 but looking back I now recognise that my Peri symptoms started at 39. They gradually got worse and worse until I honestly thought I was going to have a break down. I finally started HRT in November 2024 (after being fobbed off over the years and then having to wait due to other medical reasons) & have been on it for 3 months. Whilst it's not a magic cure, certain elements have definitely improved.