Could these symptoms be early menopause and has anyone had similar?

[kaylesy]

Hi i am 38 years old and was told a few months ago that I was at the start of the menapause after a thyriod test came back clear they said goin off of that im at the start of the menapause, recently ive been getting angry spells,crying alot over nothing still have my periods, but it's the headaches that can be bad and not been able to go to the toilet has anyone got any advice whos maybe goin through the same

I started menopause early at 43. I found out when I went to the GP thinking my thyroid had gone overactive again which it’d done before. Was having hot flushes and palpitations and trouble sleeping.

I had flooding before this (I think.. bad memory!). My worst symptom was my bad temper and was the main reason I went on HRT as my kids were pretty young and didn’t want them to suffer my rage. It worked and solved the other symptoms too.
Did you get offered HRT? Would you want to go on it if you were? Both me and GP were shocked when my results came back and I went away and researched HRT before going on it

Hey they said I am too young just now to go on hrt I did ask about it and the doctor said it's not really given to people my age and then after that ive not heard anything or been back to the doctors I did research and seen black cohosh was good to take so I have started them see if they help any

That's rubbish. HRT is far safer for younger women, as it is replacing hormones that should be in your system anyway at that age. Maybe ask for a referral to gynae at the local hospital.

Have a watch of this: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/davina-mccall-sex-myths-and-the-menopause Arm yourself with knowledge and go back to the GP. The sooner you start HRT after you hit perimenopause, the better it is for your long-term health.

At 43 I started with crying spells, sudden rage, insecurity, waking during the night at around 1 and being awake for an hour or two, aching hips, feeling like I was getting cystitis all the time.

This could easily be perimenopause, and it's not correct to say you can't get HRT.

This is a good source of info as well, which follows NICe guidelines and the National Menopause Society. There's a section on menopause before 40, which is uncommon but can happen.

https://www.mymenopausecentre.com/knowledge/menopause-explained/

I also second what PP said. It's even more important for the protection of your bones and future health that you get HRT if it's early menopause.

If you can afford it I would seek a private consultation (the clinic I linked above is good). If not, push to see your local community gynae menopause specialist. If your GP is not helpful maybe see if there is another GP in the practice who says they have an interest in women's health/menopause.

Good luck.

...forgot - headaches and also migraines were a big sign of my perimenopause.

Have they said you are post menopause (periods stopped for good) or in peri menopause- the years leading up to it?

It's important to know the difference and from what you've said you aren't 'in menopause' as such, but in peri.

You can still use HRT.

Still have periods but not every month, tbf I just went to get my thyriods checked the doctor phone and his words were you are at the start of menopause we can't give you anything just now because you are too young so am not sure he didn't mention peri menapause he just said menapause.

Well he's wrong. You need to find someone else if you can

Sounds like he doesn't know what he's talking about.

You need to ask for more information about your blood tests. Ask what your results are and what they show. You can request a copy of all your tests.
They must have tested more than your thyroid in order to say you're starting menopause.

Usually they test your FSH level and estrogen.
FSH gives a guide but it's not always accurate.

So, ask what was tested or if your GP is just guessing that you're in peri!

You can use hrt at 38 but you need the results of your tests.
Usually, tests for menopause are done with 2 blood tests, 2 months a apart , between day 2 and 5 of your cycle.

I'm wondering if these tests were even done.

On the topic of not being able to use the loo - assuming you mean constipated (so problems pooing not weeing) I had to almost give up white rice and white bread and limit white pasta in my early 40s as I started to get regularly constipated. No more than one serving per day of refined/white carb. It got much better after that. I found meat fat helped and obviously fibre

I dont eat much bread anymore the odd time, I thought u couldn't tell with a thyriod blood test for menapause, after the phone call ive heard nothing and can't seem to get an appointment alot of people have said i could start hrt they dont understand why the doctor choose to make me wait I have been taking black cochosh think that's how u spell it I bought them to see if they help any tbf my doctor isn't much help went for bloods for thyriods and then got told I'm at the start of menapause because my thyriod came back normal

Your GP is useless.

See another one, read up on what they should do to test for early menopause- I've already posted that so check it out- and insist on seeing a GP who knows about early peri menopause.

This is a disgrace.

Thank you i will have a look the now, I know it's a disgrace I just dont know who else to turn to or talk to about this i feel like my symptoms are getting worse ie heat tolerance is so bad feel roasting all day every day my mood swings are something else, I feel like I am genuinely on my own with this

Hi I'm 53 still have regular periods but have horrid symptoms of peri menapause.hot flashes mood swings to gling in hands and feet feel sick most days and exhausted nearly everyday with weakness.Just started on the hrt patches last weeks so see how they go been on numerous other tablets and gels nothing helped I have put on so much weight too.I feel so unhappy and have aching joints .*s anyone else the same .

OP please don't give up. Is there another GP at your surgery?

Sorry forgot about this thread. If you are on Facebook have a look at the group Menopause Support Network. I’ve found a lot of support on there.

As everyone else has said try and see another GP. Ask to see someone who specialises in menopause or women’s health. Go armed with info. Find the NICE guidelines for menopause treatment and take them with you.

I thought the advice for menopause symptoms was that you don’t need to do blood tests and that you treat with oestrogen and if the symptoms are improved then all good. Might be wrong though.

Hope you get somewhere soon. Early menopause is tough. The sleep deprivation by itself is bad enough!

Thanks girls I will ask for another doctor and woman one who knows what is going on, just tough and im only starting menapause. The headaches and the bruises I get without knowing what's causing them do anyone else get random bruises.