Perimenopause: feeling overwhelmed

[YorkshireDorset85]

Hey. Not posted here before - I’m 40 and feel I have been perimenopausal for 18months to 2 years. The greatest change for me is a huge sense of just feeling overwhelmed and an uncontrollable sense of feeling out of control. In the morning, I’m at my best - gym at 6am, get kids to school and either go to work or have a day with my daughter but by the end of the day my patience, understanding and ability to communicate nicely is at a low. At work I feel able to keep my head above water but at home, I’m just miserable… I don’t feel depressed but feeling this way is depressing. I don’t know quite where to turn… does this relate to anyone? Tia x

My first symptom was depression. It gradually became worse, where all the joy in life just disappeared. I had no idea I was in peri until the palpitations and all the other symptoms started piling on. HRT has helped enormously.

I have been fairly lucky so far in terms of symptoms ( I am 50 this year ) mainly I think because I choose to stay on the pill for the duration. But …. My anxiety is no joke. I never experienced anxiety before … oh I said I had anxiety as I thought it was. Turns out no. It wasn’t anxiety to this degree. If I never had to drive a car ever again I would be very happy.

oh and sense of smell. I can smell everything so much stronger. And as I am on the pill my periods are just on going. So I have normal periods and then the weeks in between I get more lesser periods ( have had these checked and it’s fine ). So the reading that it would seem I do have some 😂

This resonates with me, I am 44 and would say overwhelm has been my biggest symptom. I have been on esteogel for about two months now; thanks to a very good GP who really made me feel heard. It’s helping me to feel more on top of things and back to my old self. Yes I still worry and feel busy but it’s put me back to being able to deal with things and I’m less irritable (confirmed by Children and DH).

The GP said was it like burn out in my own life and that is exactly how I felt. Sounds like this could be you too? Get to the doctors if you can and talk to someone

if your periods are irregular, or changing in some way,. see your GP.
40 is quite young to feel like this. Yes, peri can last a few years but the very earliest to stop periods that's considered 'normal' is 45 and the average age is 51. Periods stopping before 45 is classed as early menopause and is treated with HRT.

If all of this started at 38 that's very early.
Is there a history of early menopause with your Mum or other female relatives?

Ask your GP for a trial of HRT (don't accept anti depressants as they are not advised any more for hormonal moods / anxiety etc.)

I could have written this post. Am currently sat in bed crying while DH and the DC have gone on a walk. I’ve done loads this morning but now I’m
knackered, can’t think straight, have a headache and am so fed up. It’s 100% hormonal and my mood fluctuates every two weeks. Depressed and overwhelmed half way through my cycle the raging irritability and also overwhelmed around the time of my period.
The worst thing is I’ve been to the GP, spoken to two female ones. They’ve both done a blood test. Said everything is “normal for my age”. I’ll be 44 this year. And told me there isn’t anything they can do. I’m already on antidepressants and propranolol for anxiety. I’ve also told them that my mum started menopause in her late thirties and was in menopause proper by 50. I don’t know where else to go.

edited to add: I have also given the GP a list of my other symptoms. Ie night sweats regularly around my period, periods are irregular and vary in length, debilitating headaches etc.

Sorry thought of more symptoms I told the GP: insomnia, restless legs and skin changes. The only thing I haven’t had yet is daytime hot flushes. What can I do to get HRT? I’m certain I need it.