Menopause at 39

[mamalama86]

Hey all

So it now transpires that I've been perimenopausal for the last 5 years or so and now at the age of 39 my periods have completely stopped (3 months so far).

A few questions for anyone who has been through this already.

I've had to take the past 2 weeks off work while I wait for my GP to put me on HRT. I've been incredibly emotional, moody and getting all of the typical menopause symptoms. The killer for me though is not being able to sleep! Did anyone have to take time off work? I feel like I'm being a little dramatic about taking time off and worried how it might look.

The other question I have is, how do you know when you're perimenopausal vs actually menopausal? Is there a difference?

Any thoughts appreciated!

X

You poor thing. That is young!

The HRT will help with the insomnia. You are classed as Post-Menopausal (as opposed to peri) when you haven’t had a period for 12 months. For some women unfortunately that can go on for years, so they’ll have no period for months and then get one, again and again.

I hope the HRT sorts you out. I felt much better once I was on it (I was post meno at 44). Good luck!

Yes you are in menopause once no periods for 12 months (I’m on month 9 of my countdown. Fingers crossed). I’d recommend getting yourself some magnesium and also melatonin if you can get it (I think for that you need a prescription in the UK. Here you can buy it in supermarkets!). I agree about sleep being the curse! I take magnesium granules when I get into bed and then read. I’m usually falling asleep after 15 mins. It used to be hours!

Thank you both!
It's a wild ride isn't it?! Did either of you need to take time off work? I feel awfully guilty about having some time off.

I actually gave up work, but I have ME and my meno was surgical (I had my ovaries removed so it was literally overnight). I had a massive ME relapse after the operation and I’m still not well enough to go back.

Don’t feel guilty about needing time off work. Most workplaces have a menopause policy these days so it might be worth looking to see if you have one, and how work are prepared to support you. Lack of sleep is an absolute killer, but the HRT works very quickly and you’ll usually start to see an improvement in just a few days.

Keep pressure on your GP, and if you have no joy see another one immediately. My GP wasn’t great so I went private and the specialist then wrote to my GP who was happy to take over the prescriptions after that.