Starting a thread on Perimenopause- join me 🙃

[rainydaysamonday24]

Hi!
starting a thread on Perimenopause in the aim to share stories, tips, experiences and symptoms.

Me: 47 yrs, periods still v regular - 24/25 day cycles. Feel like my peri symptoms began a year ago however. Have had night feelings of heat, rather than sweating as such! Aches and pains, lower back was bad last year.
With periods still regular I’m wondering if HRT is too soon.
i also don’t want to start HRT - rather to keep going with diet and exercise. Have taken up swimming and that has improved joints and general fitness.
However! Feel like I need to get a blood test to see where I stand!

So new to all this…need help!

Please share your stories….

@rainydaysamonday24 wow what an incredibly response to your thread. 🙏 And thank you for starting it.

I'm mid 40s and have been slowly (or not so slowly) losing my mind since my late 30s. I've been on and off SSRIs, had a few breakdowns, primary problem being wearing myself out to breaking point and then getting better again and doing it all again on repeat but worse each time. Looking back I now can see and understand that a lot of it is hormone related. I didn't even know the word perimenopause when I first visited the doctor in despair because I was so tired, my brain wouldn't work, and I couldn't remember anything. Fast forward to now and I have become one of those people who understand why women walk away from successful careers mid 40s+ because they feel they just can't function anymore and are failing.

My main problems are cyclical anxiety, overwhelm, depression (hello winter - yes I experience SAD) to the point some days I can barely function. I've improved my diet, tried various herbal remedies through a proper person, had functional tests, and I'm still left as a shell of the person I once was. I struggle to exercise because I am so flipping tired and I have learnt that it's better to listen to what my body says than make myself do it and end up in burnout. I've done cbt and have regular counselling. Oh and I'm AuADHD which it turns out means of course I'm hormonally sensitive and this chapter of my life will be on extra hard level apparently.

I started HRT last month. Nothing much left to try and it was that and try to replace what's missing or fluctuating, than something much worse. 2 pumps of gel and cyclical progesterone (the generic one). I have regularish cycles (21 to 27 days) which is why my GP says I am not in peri, but I'm committed to trying it and the whole trial and error process ahead of me before ruling it out. They were happy to try it because we don't know what else to do with me. It's early days. Not sure my body is happy with the progesterone bit but what this space.

Hello all, I'm wanting to join for some support. I'm 41, especially over the last year I have been struggling. However, reflecting back I have had symptoms of perimenopause since 36, which I put down to stress and overworking.
Over the last five years I've struggled with acne and rosacea, hot flushes, cold flashes, nocturnal panic attacks, high blood pressure, itching, aching in hips and legs, restless legs on a night , no tolerance to alcohol (even one drink makes me violently sick and hungover), difficulty retaining and recalling information, periods were getting later and later. Have recently gone 5 months without one and the only way I know I'm due is I'll have an horrendous headache which lasts 2-3 days and feels like a migraine coming on, that's new!
I joined a gym last year and found weightlifting really helpful. I am overweight and lost a bit but noticed the weight I had gained is all round my middle.
Trying to manage my symptoms through eating better, drinking water but struggling with the emotional side of it. I feel like I just have PMT all the time! It's mainly me internalising everything I feel to keep it in but my tolerance for people is nil! I'm usually a quiet and very patient person but this is something else. I'm a bit reluctant to go to GP I'm worried they will just see my chubby self and tell me to loose weight as I'm "too young" ( I know that's important for my health to loose weight, I'm on it, but I feel that's also one of my symptoms!) Any advice would be appreciated.

You aren't too young though some ill educated GPs do still come out with that nonsense, if they do ask them what did the think was the average age of progesterone dropping is?!
Fantastic that you are weightlifting, loss of bone density is a v common and silent symptom of peri and post menopause and weight bearing exercise is a big help there

Well this week the fatigue is real 😢
and I’ve got so much to do.

dh doesn’t quite understand the bone tired feeling.
im also quite nauseous on and off for no particular reason.

im definitely feeling the symptoms more and more each month although im doing the breathe before I speak thing in times of annoyance which has helped 😀

I spoke to the GP about HRT last week. She sent me for a blood test to rule out thyroid issues and low iron before going ahead, so I'm just waiting for the results of that now. I'm pretty sure it will all come back fine as had a similar test a year ago and no issues. I'm hoping I'll get the results quickly enough for me to get back in to the GP and get a prescription before Christmas, but realistically it will probably be early January.

You have a lot on your plate with the business and the adult child moving, in addition to peri. There are also many viruses going around these days, could the nausea be connected to that?
Also, have you had a blood test? I know when my ferritin gets low, it makes the perimenopause fatigue much worse, and it's not the only parameter that could do that.
Good luck and I hope the weekend allows you to catch up on some rest.

Does anyone else feel like their emotions are all over the place?

I find my patience is so bad and I keep bursting into tears for no reason.

My anxiety is through the roof and I’m catastrophising (I don’t know how to spell that).

During one of my insomnia episodes last night I lay awake for hours thonking about how my marriage is on the rocks and what would happen if I left my DH and how I would cope financially and how we’d manage custody of the children etc, and then I woke up this morning and wondered what on earth I had been thinking as my husband is amazing!

I think I’m losing my mind 😬

I’m seeing the GP on Tuesday to talk it all through with them. Im just so fed up.

My husband was making comments this morning about us having an “early night” and I can’t think of anything I want to do less! 😬

'Does anyone else feel like their emotions are all over the place?
I find my patience is so bad and I keep bursting into tears for no reason.'

Yes! I used to feel like I could have easily murdered people, my DP most of all. I wanted everyone to just fuck off and leave me alone, but didn't want to be alone either. Crying but no idea what you're crying about. It's bloody horrible

I still have days that are a bit like that, but I feel so much better in every way since starting HRT

Good idea to see the GP, but go in prepared with a list of your symptoms and (this is important) the IMPACT that they are having on your life. If you want to start HRT, ask for it - don't wait for them to suggest it. They may recommend a load of blood tests to check things like iron, vit D, thyroid etc - this is good practice but shouldn't stop you starting HRT. They should also discuss nutrition and exercise with you. If you feel you're not getting anywhere, ask for a referral to a menopause specialist

Good luck!

Not really been feeling the emotions too much until a snap this evening. I'm behind on work, I'm behind on Christmas, I'm behind on laundry, DH is ill (which is definitely worse for him) and snuffling unpleasantly so his chores are added to mine, the brain fog has been strong AND I KEEP THINKING IT'S FRIDAY! Not enough wine to maintain sanity 😂

@SquirrelStateOfMindsnap! sick DH, was actually on an even keel until this week when the symptoms have ramped up again.

trying to keep calm and grounded. Had a great nights sleep last night and Pilates this morning which has helped a lot.

Pace yourself, delegate and cut corners to avoid stress.

Hi I’m only 39 but for the past 6 months or so feeling absolutely exhausted. Had 2 months where I had no period at all, and now when I do they’re heavier and shorter. I also have very little patience, get irritated beyond belief at the most minor things. Cry a lot. The brain fog is ridiculous too! I’ve started waking up sweating in the early hours. Also very down in my moods. No sex drive when it’s always been high.

I thought maybe I’m depressed as I’m under a lot of stress. But perhaps it’s my hormones, maybe it’s worth me talking the doctor how I’m feeling. Is there a test they do to see if it’s peri menopause?

They should do bloods to check your Vit B, iron, thyroid etc to rule those out. They can check your FSH (I think it's on Day 3) over a number of months which could show perimenopause as you may get a random high level which would rule peri in but it could just as easily be a month when it happens to be low/normal but that doesn't mean you aren't peri menop8

Welcome again to all who have joined recently…

just wondering how you cope with the belly bloat?
A day or three after my period had ended - I seem to get a bloated belly like I look pregnant!!

how can i reduce this? I currently weigh 73 kg, I’m around 5’6”… feel massive..

xx

If someone has a good solution, I'd like to know as well.
For me, fennel seed tea sometimes makes it better, or simethicone tabs if the bloat is clearly gas. It's not always just gas, though.

It doesn't help that I'm taking iron for my chronic iron deficiency; even though I don't have bad gastrointestinal issues from it, it's not ideal on the digestive system.

Bloods all came back normal, including FSH, but as I have a Mirena and don't have periods, that doesn't mean much. The GP prescribed HRT (two pumps of gel) which I started yesterday. I am mainly hoping for help with brain fog and sleep. Will report back!

Hopefully it helps, but be prepared that you may need to add progesterone down the line to help with sleep

So I posted upthread about recently starting HRT and it massively reducing the rage and brain fog but I was still suffering from a bit of anxiety and sleep troubles resulting in me having low energy.

Anyway, I’m about to run out of patches and thought how it’s odd that I’ve not also run out of progesterone pills only to realise that I should have been taking 2 a day! I was only taking 1 pill on days 15-28 of my cycle.

So does anyone think I have been causing myself any harm by only taking 1? Also, does this mean once I start taking 2 that my remaining symptoms might ease?

Progesterone is the hormone that helps anxiety and sleep so yes the correct dosage should help with those. More importantly though progesterone (either as body identical utrogestin or the artifical progestin form eg Mirena, though only utrogestin is systemic and will help other symptoms ) is always required for a woman with a woman once oestrogen is prescribed so as to help prevent a build up of the womb lining so you need to be on the correct dose

52 and 10 months without a period. Symptoms had levelled off so thought I was nearly there until 3 weeks ago when I started getting PMT symptoms. Awful brain fog that effected work so badly I’ve had the last 4 days off and started HRT 3 days ago in the hope I’ll get my brain back. Worst case scenario is I have to quit work which I really don’t want to do, but if my brain won’t play ball I’ll not have much choice sadly.

Hope it kicks in quickly

Ok so I'm three weeks into HRT, the few days after stopping the progesterone were hell on earth, never had a low mood like it. I almost threw it all in the bin. It's taken a whole week to pass and now I feel like a normal person (although slightly hyper??). Is this normal?

Happy New Year to all who have joined this thread!
May 2026 bring you a stomach that doesn’t look 6 months pregnant, the ability to sleep through the night and a dislike of chocolate..

it’s not going to happen is it 😊😆

urgh! I have felt my heaviest so far this week - the bloat on the tummy was ridiculous today! I had a bowl of vegetables and some roast chicken for dinner yesterday and not much else!
Really want to attack the Marks and Sparks biscuits !!!

anyway should we have a role call
😆
47 year old here, still regular AF’s…24/25
symptoms : bloat! But no massive weight gains..some insomnia when it’s that time in cycle, mood swings which I’m dealing with by running around after my little one 😆

You next…let’s do this!!

Hiya!

• 45, mum to a 4 yr old
• Periods become shorter (3 days) and cycles irregular
• Other symptoms: dryness, overwhelm/brain fog, sleep problems, fatigue, ZERO libido, joint stiffness, flatlined mood
• Possible ADHD
• Currently on 75 mcg patches (increased recently from 2 pumps of gel and that’s improved my fatigue from being debilitating to manageable) plus progesterone (which has helped with sleep)

Here’s to finding a system to manage it better in 2026! 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Happy New Year everyone!

• 48, no periods as have a Mirena
• main symptoms were/are: brain fog, anxiety, interrupted sleep
• started two pumps of gel on 17/12. I realise that starting HRT over Christmas makes it very difficult to tell if it's having an effect! Weight gain most likely due to quantity of cheese consumed. My anxiety is less but that could be due to two week break from work. I'm back first thing tomorrow so it will be interesting to see how I feel over the next couple of weeks.
• I'm also doing dry January which is already helping my sleep and energy levels. I enjoy wine and I'm not a problem drinker but sadly even small quantities have big effects now.

41, have a mirena so no idea on periods, stage 4 endo which was removed in May
started 1 pump of gel and micronised progesterone yesterday
doctor prescribed on symptoms - random anxiety, panic attacks, loss of confidence driving etc