Perimenopause or postnatal symptoms?

[HeathenPlayingHouse]

Hello ladies,

I’m 39 (40 in August), and I had my second child at the start of February- he’s now 16 weeks.

I didn’t really notice any night sweats afterwards like I had with my first, but in the last month or so I’ve been having what feels like hot flushes. Sometimes it’s out of nowhere, and other times I might feel slightly cool and put on a cardigan, only to rip it off 15 seconds later because I feel like I’m boiling.

My periods have never been regular due to PCOS, but I started my second post-pregnancy period today. I have had other issues such as fatigue, insomnia and lack of libido, but those are to be expected at this point. I have experienced dryness for a number of years as well as some itching, but I assumed it was due to the PCOS.

My mum went through menopause at 38-39 due to chemo, so I can’t estimate anything based on genetics.

Can perimenopause symptoms start this soon after giving birth, or is it more likely that it’s hormones settling?

I would assume it's 'just' your hormones settling down again.

Might be worthwhile getting some blood tests to make you're not defficient in anything - iron maybe, plus thyroid?

I remember feeling awful physically for months after my dc were born - you're recovering from pregnancy and birth, lack of sleep etc, never mind the psychological stuff that our bodies like to throw at new mums.

I had my second baby at 44 and experienced very similar symptoms including the insomnia and hot flushes, I think in the end it was postpartum hormones not peri as it settled eventually but not until about 8 months post birth.

Thanks both.

I do have an underactive thyroid which I take thyroxine for- it would probably be worth checking if my thyroxine dose needs adjusting again.

Other than that, hopefully it will resolve itself soon enough.