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Original poster

Perimenopause

4 replies

lorraine84X · 21/09/2026 11:06

I’m 42, and recently I have experienced bouts of anger and sadness. My period has fluctuated for the last year, I always have a period but the date seems to be earlier and earlier but still going around the 28 day cycle.

I’m always really emotional either before my period, or during ovulation and make myself cry as I need a release.

I have also started to really hate my cats, I feel they are needy and they just annoy me. I work from home so am with them pretty much daily. I’m an animal lover, but find myself resenting them it just feels so weird, like the Incredible Hulk in me wants to get out.

I have spoken to my doctor and he said to make a diary of my cycle, that’s it.

Can anyone help please, I feel like I’m in a constant rut.

OP posts:
DontSingSusan · 21/09/2026 15:59

Just to say that I'm in the same boat! I'm 45 and for about the last three years my cycle has got shorter, periods heavier and PMS worse (including rage!) I also have cats and get annoyed with them when I'm in one of those moods!

It would probably be a good idea to record when you feel worse and then go to the doctor with more evidence. I asked my doctor for HRT recently (not in UK) and he suggested that my symptoms weren't that debilitating (no hot flashes or insomnia) so he said we should see how it goes.

I find exercise helps me feel better, even just a walk outside.

Lottapianos · 21/09/2026 16:04

Your doctor needs to learn that there's a lot more to perimenopause than periods! I can relate to how you feel about your cats, I've been feeling that way about needy people 😁

There's a really good app called Balance which you can use to track your symptoms, exercise, sleep, nutrition and mood. Really useful for building up a picture of how things might be changing in your mind and body. I started HRT at 44 and it has made a massive difference - some symptoms disappeared and lots of others got much more manageable

Original poster
lorraine84X · 21/09/2026 18:14

DontSingSusan · 21/09/2026 15:59

Just to say that I'm in the same boat! I'm 45 and for about the last three years my cycle has got shorter, periods heavier and PMS worse (including rage!) I also have cats and get annoyed with them when I'm in one of those moods!

It would probably be a good idea to record when you feel worse and then go to the doctor with more evidence. I asked my doctor for HRT recently (not in UK) and he suggested that my symptoms weren't that debilitating (no hot flashes or insomnia) so he said we should see how it goes.

I find exercise helps me feel better, even just a walk outside.

Thank you, I have felt so alone like I am crazy! I don’t have night sweats, trouble sleeping, or brain fog ….. yet! I have felt awful as I love my cats dearly but they have been so needy, they’re older so I feel awful saying that.

OP posts:
Original poster
lorraine84X · 21/09/2026 18:15

Lottapianos · 21/09/2026 16:04

Your doctor needs to learn that there's a lot more to perimenopause than periods! I can relate to how you feel about your cats, I've been feeling that way about needy people 😁

There's a really good app called Balance which you can use to track your symptoms, exercise, sleep, nutrition and mood. Really useful for building up a picture of how things might be changing in your mind and body. I started HRT at 44 and it has made a massive difference - some symptoms disappeared and lots of others got much more manageable

Thank you, I felt as though I have been going crazy!! My GP is useless, I feel my spark has gone and I hate feeling like this.

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