Any perimenopause advice? Am I going through it?

[Livefreely]

Hi everyone,
I don’t present with the typical peri symptoms but I am starting to wonder…
I have increased anxiety all the time
tired/dazed a lot of the time despite recent blood test normal
itching in different parts of my body that comes and goes
Night sweats that last 4/5 days leading up to period

is this just getting older? Or peri symptoms?

Those sound like typical peri symptoms to me, I've never had hot flushes but have increased anxiety, tiredness and random itching. My GP did a blood test, not to measure hormones but to make sure it wasn't anything else. I'm now on HRT which is helping.

Talk to GP. Would guess yes but have bloods done to rule out other stuff. Night sweats suck (but I don’t have them anymore - no HRT just fyi).

Oh and for advice: if you drink alcohol, stop. That was my game changer re night sweats (and getting a fan!). Sort your diet out if you need to (less sugar, more fibre, more protein).

How old are you OP?

I've had something of a nervous breakdown lately but I'm 42 and don't believe that it's peri but everyone keeps telling me it is.

Do you have problematic periods, trouble getting aroused, weight gain around your middle and increased memory loss?

They are common peri symptoms

You say tests have been done for other stuff

Cut out sugar and alcohol

Try HRT

@ohyesido

Not everyone has those symptoms

As far as I can tell there isn't a single common symptom

Those are the most consistent symptoms but I agree they aren't the only ones and by themselves don't necessarily indicate peri

@Mulberry974 so can a doctor see if I’m in Peri from tests? My GP suggested you cannot know unless you’re actually in menopause

@wherearemypastnames i had a blood test to che k anaemia levels as I have suffered in the past but all looks ok.
I didn’t think there were tests for peri but I will go back to my GP

@ohyesido im 42

There are no tests for peri - just tests to rule out other things

@ohyesido forgot to say I have had heavier periods for a few years now and loss of libido too but no to weight gain or memory loss

I think peri can intensify any sort of stressful phase and leave you completely on the edge. I’m 43 & also had a breakdown recently, physically & mentally. Just so you know you are not alone 🥰 Try and focus on your own needs, eat well, supplements if necessary & physical exercise, be gentle on yourself. Hope you are pulling through x

Unfortunately the only solution seems to be:

No coffee
No fast food
No cigarettes
No wine
Lots of exercise
HRT (which I found gave me insomnia and intensified anxiety)

All of those are good suggestions but I don't want to give up caffeine and the occasional cigarette

It will pass, you're not going mad and we should just sit with it knowing that it's not some kind of proof that we are intrinsically bad

HRT didn’t suit me either, it gave me panic attacks! Not often you come across others who had similar experiences of this magical HRT that’s supposed to help! Not for us hey!

And quite right too, can’t give up caffeine and this occasional cigs :)

@Fitzfuckitall I thought I was the only one refreshing to hear from someone else who found it wasn't a magic cure x

@Fitzfuckitall the app doesn't let me like a comment but I like yours in spirit

Sounds like Early stage perimenopause. I ll be 46 in April and I m late stage perimenopause. You ll be fine. This too will pass.