Perimenopause not sure what to expect

[BluntBeaker]

Hi I am 46. First time I had night sweats was aged 42. Nights sweats are not regular thing, sleep has been disturbed for a long time now. Anxiety is through the roof, I do have moments of feeling very low too. Aching joints mostly knees and ankles. My vision has changed too.
My period in 2024 was a little up.and down...few were in the same month. Come January I was late but cramps had started around the expected date. February fine as normal. March nothing but since past the date I've had cramps but still no sign, now into April cramps are there but still no bleed. I have a copper coil and have had for years. Has anyone else experienced this? Am I definitely peri?

It does sound like peri menopause to me. Why not try HRT and see if your symptoms improve? You can always stop if it doesn’t help.
If you’re happy with a coil then I’d recommend getting a mirena so you don’t need to bother with taking progesterone tablets and still having bleeding.

I’ve got a mirena and use oestrogen patches - much less hassle than having to put gel on every day.

Thank you. I will try and get an appointment with my gp

I went on HRT (patches) at the earliest opportunity. I’d gone a bit irregular and started struggling with tiredness and joint pain. I feel a lot better now and have no intention of giving it up!

Yes though if you're unlucky your GP will tell you that you're 'too young' for it.

Arm yourself with NICE guidelines.

Sore joints (especially in the morning - walking downstairs like a 90 year old), cycle irregularity and insomnia are very typical of peri. Hot flushes were mild at first but intensify.

I know the coil is very effective contraception but have you done a pregnancy test just to rule that out?

Hi all,

Thank you for your advice and support. I will make an appointment and hope the GP does take notice.

I eventually started my period over the
Bank Holiday weekend. Can't tell you the relief. @AInightingale I had thought about a test, but thankfully I started. In all honesty I was so scared of what the result could be I was just dragging it out.