Is it perimenopause?

[DreamySnail]

I’ve never posted on here before but I thought I’d put my experience so far in what I think is the start of peri menopause and the complete lack of understanding and sympathy when it comes to it.

Im 43, my symptoms are pointing towards the dreaded peri yet I’m not being heard.
Doctors and nurses are always telling us to listen to our bodies when we know something isn’t right, yet they don’t listen to us when we go to them about it.
Ive had on off bleeding since May of last year, I can go about 4 months of nothing then for about 2 months constant heavy clotting bleeds with hardly any pain.
Im tired all the time, I can’t get to sleep quickly like I used to, when I do drift off I’m awake sporadically throughout the night and when it’s time to get up, I could sleep for hours.
My back aches off and on and the moment it’s a really uncomfortable pain, my migraines are in a whole new crazy level and when I relayed this to a nurse recently she said you’ll option is the coil being fitted for 6 months then maybe HRT after the six months.
Where I fall short of being 45 nurses and doctors are reluctant to give me anything else other than the coil.
I don’t particularly want the coil and numerous blood tests have come back “fine” (whatever fine means).
Im so worn down and feel out of sorts.
My husband works away alot so it’s draining doing the day to day tasks involving our children. School runs, cooking dinner etc.
Is anyone else going through this because I feel like I’m going mad worrying myself about it?
I just want to feel like me again!
Sorry for the long rant!

have you had an ultrasound to check for fibroids?

No I haven’t.
What is that exactly?
I find that if I suggest what it might be to a doctor they fob me off.
Ive got yet another appointment this week to talk to someone else but its very disheartening when I feel as though my voice isn’t heard.

bleeding on and off and then heavy bleeding, particularly with clots and back ache would be classic signs of fibroids. They're generally harmless growths in your womb lining.

At your appt, say that you want to be sent for an ultrasound scan. Be insistent and tell them how tired you are etc.

Google transvaginal ultrasound scan. It's not painful and you don't need a full bladder. It takes about 10 minutes.

It will show fibroids or anything else that is making you bleed so much (although for some women it's normal in peri to have heavy periods.)

It may not be fibroids at all because you say you're missing periods- therefore you are getting several months of womb lining coming away, so there's bound to be a lot of blood loss and clots.

The scan should be the start of this. If it's all clear then you should push for HRT if that's what you want, but being honest, the coil is a good option for heavy bleeding at 43 and you can add the estrogen as part of HRT to it.