Does this sound like perimenopause?

[ICSH1]

Hi! I can’t even believe I’m writing this 😩 but maybe I need to actually realise I’m 44! I started having really sore joints a few months ago which was unusual for me (I’m very active) all of a sudden my elbows and knees were so achy. Then my boobs started hurting…I then realised that I’ve definitely filled out more around my belly and bum despite eating and working out as usual. I’m still fitting in my clothes but I just look DIFFERENT…In the past few months I’ve also started having a lot more gas and alternating constipation and soft stools (and normal too) and I’ve had the odd period come really early. 6 days early in July, then fine in August now 8 days early (though it’s been a very stressful week 😒). They’re pretty normal periods when they come early, maybe a bit lighter. Nothing alarming or weird apart from cycle length. I don’t know what to make of it or what to do. I’m otherwise healthy I’d say but I suffer from debilitating health anxiety so anything medical feels almost impossible to tackle. Just wanted to gather some thoughts on whether this does sound like peri and what I can do next (baby steps please 🥴) x

Calm down sweetheart! That's a lot of symptoms you've noticed. It likely won't all be peri, but perhaps some of it is.

For me, at your age (I'm 50) yes periods went a bit haywire. Cycles became shorter and unpredictable. Some aching joints too. And hot flushes.

We all start to look different in middle age- carrying more weight around the middle and finding it harder to deliberately lose weight. I can't comment on the bowel issues.

Look, at 44 peri is likely. There's no harm in starting on some HRT (oestrogen patches and progesterone). It might ease some of your symptoms, and then you'll know that yes, some of this is peri-related. Also, for peri and menopausal women, HRT is known to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

I'm lucky to have an Aunt who is an OBGYN to guide me through this. I'd recommend seeing a GP to ask about starting on HRT.

Good luck X

Thanks, I’m just feeling really anxious. I’m not good with physical changes. X

@ICSH1 just joining to echo I could write much of what you've said. I never had health anxiety until a couple of years ago and it times with very similar symptoms to what you've described which I. Ow suspect are down to perimenopause.

After a year of umming and ahhing (and groaning!) im going to see the GP about HRT this week. Also mid-40s.

Oh thanks for posting, honestly I feel like I’m going mad 😒 sometimes I feel almost high like I’m on top of the world and then I feel so anxious I feel on the brink of a panic attack because I’m convinced I’m dying. I’ve hit whatever this is like a brick wall (but my boobs have stopped hurting now so that’s something?! 😂) just needed a handhold x

@ICSH1 I think evening primrose oil can help with the sore boobs if it's hormones related. Might be worth a try? And think about whether you want to try the HRT too? There's another thread on here about the age people started HRT and plenty in their young 40s...you may need a menopause familiar GP though, as I believe 45yrs old is the magic age the NHS prescribes on symptoms alone (no need for blood tests).

I started getting some random symptoms about 45- perimenopause can last up to 10 years so early 40’s is normal. I don’t have periods because of the mirena but told gp who said give oestrogel a go. Five years later and it’s all good, I’m happy on it, maybe because I started quickly, other symptoms have been minor and easy. It’s (hrt) supposed to be good for our health as well. I’d say go for it.

I need to start looking into it- for some reason I didn’t think any of this would happen to me and I’d sail through 😂 but coupled with my health anxiety it’s actually hit me like a ton of bricks and I really can’t see the wood for the trees at the moment x

46, last period was may 16th.

You are not too young, everything you ve described is standard. Get plenty of vitamins into you. Continue to be healthy. This too will pass.

Oh gosh you’re all so lovely 💕 earlier I was sitting in the car sobbing that I’ve got at least 10 types of cancer and now I’m feeling much more normal. So up and down!

Worth taking a pregnancy test too OP???

I don't have a period because I'm on the pill but I'm 47 and my knees and ankles have been so stiff and sore the last few months.

Honestly I've spent the last few weeks googling a symptom + perimenopause and it's always "Yeah, that can be a part of menopause too".

I m currently unbelievably dehydrated, nauseous and my hair has gone x3 times more grey in the last 3 months. Skin so dry too. Aw well, thankfully I give less fucks, but I want to feel good.