Peri symptoms - when to get help

[BigLittleRedOne]

I'm 44 this month.

For about 3+ years my cycle has changed from being clockwork 28 days to all over the place - sometimes 19/20 days, other months over 40 days between periods.

Last year I had a large ovarian cyst removed which had been there a while, and it was thought that maybe it had been causing issues. I had it removed a year and a half ago and things are still erratic, so I don't think it can be blamed on the cyst.

Symptoms I've had or are currently experiencing are: hot flushes, night sweats, restless legs, palpitations, extreme loss of libido (!), constipation, fatigue (feel exhausted in the mornings), peeing more at night, headaches, foggy head, dry eyes, eczema (that I haven't had since pregnancy) very flat mood, insane sugar cravings.. and a few more!

However, I do not have these symptoms constantly. I have stretches of time with no symptoms. At the moment I'm having a few of these and feeling rotten - but I don't know if I should get some help yet - or wait until it all gets worse and more consistent.

I say get help sooner rather than later. I left it far too long and ended up crippled with anxiety and suffered horrendous mood swings. My poor DH didn’t know what to do with me! HRT was life changing.

Re the constipation-which HRT does nothing for btw- 2 kiwi fruit every day has been proven to help constipation but it does take a couple of weeks to kick in, and you have to be consistent. Chia seeds every day, either in yogurt or knocked back in a glass of water before they have time to swell, can also help.

Magnesium can help with the restless legs.

Did anyone check your thyroid at all? Thyroid issues can also cause a lot of your symptoms, it would be worth asking for blood tests, just to make sure they don’t put everything down to peri when you have something else also going on.

totally individual. you seem to have quite a few symptoms.
certainly for the safety of cardiac and bone health do go on it eventually.

You can get POAS tests to check if you’re going through it, I did this and went straight to the GP, I have a mirena coil for the progesterone and patches, so much better! Having the coil fitted my GP said I have physical signs to atrophy after confirmed menopause was positive. Good luck, don’t leave it

I’ve actually had a call with my GP today to discuss HRT as I’m having a lot of the same issues as you OP. I’ve got to get my blood pressure done and then she’s prescribing me patches, I’ve had blood tests done but she’s said they are unreliable if you are possibly in perimenopause. I’m lucky she was extremely understanding but I am feeling a bit nervous about starting HRT, stupid I know but I had a really bad experience with the mini pill and have stayed away from hormones ever since!

Phone your GP and ask for someone who specialises with the menopause, good luck 🤞

It’s actually advised not to use these due to inaccuracies, however, given op’s age it’s pretty much a given so she doesn’t need an otc test.

www.rcog.org.uk/news/rcog-recommends-against-using-over-the-counter-menopause-tests/

I am 41 and have been to the GP today with a full list of symptoms. She prescribed HRT with no issues. Have taken my first doses of oestrogen this evening and hope and pray I get relief from this hell soon.

Dont hold off, make an appointment.

Electrolytes and magnesium can help with restless legs.

I hate the unpredictability of changing periods. That is the biggest thing that is driving me insane.

Like you, I don't know if I need to get help or should even bother.

Will keep watching this thread to see how you get on! You are not alone, if that is of any help!

The tests you can buy over the counter are not recommended. In fact there was a review of these in the media only a few weeks ago, saying they are inaccurate.

See a PP has linked to that already!

@BigLittleRedOne It really depends on how bad your symptoms are.
If you can live a good quality of life as you are, do that.

Maybe count the number of days when you have symptoms for a couple of months.

If the bad days outweigh the good, then it's time to think about HRT.

You can also do a lot of self-help by eating healthily, taking exercise every day, cutting back on refined carbs and sugar, not drinking alcohol, and cutting out ultra processed food. Eating foods regularly that contain more phytoestrogens can help if your symptoms aren't too bad- that's beans, lentils, and all the pulses, plus soya.

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