Perimenopause advice needed

[CHOCOLATEPEANUT]

I have been feeling like I am loosing my mind but after a bit of reading up realise I am in perimenopause cycle

i am 42 and had my last child 22 months ago.I have always had periods every 28 days that last 4 days bit last month and this they lasted 2 days

my mood has been awful,very stressed,anxious depressed (severe this month) and this month i have felt palpitations and dizzyness.I am over heating too

i am a bit worried as I have felt quite ill and i hate the mood swings as do my family

anyone in same position that can offer any advice?

Hi, I'm 44 and I suspect I am perimenopausal. My periods have always been very regular, but last week, it arrived a week early, was very light and only lasted three days.

I have also felt hot in bed at night and have had to kick the covers off - and I've been more tearful than usual. I love this time of year but every time I hear a Christmas song, I'm on the verge of crying!

I spoke to my GP (who was lovely). She said she felt I might be "jumping the gun a bit" after having had only one "different" period, but that I could be in the early stages of the menopause.

(I have also had a great deal of strain to deal with, thanks to my pain in the neck in-laws and that hasn't probably helped either.)

'She asked me all about my lifestyle, diet etc but I just wondered if any of you ladies can recommend specific things that help you/don't help?

I have been taking a daily vitamin supplement of evening primrose combined with cod liver oil for a while now and think I will stick with it.

I was really depressed at the start of this week at the thought of "the change!" but I am 44, so I don't know why I was so shocked!

Thank you.

Hi, I think my wife is in perimenopause, she is showing a lot of the symptoms, she left the house three weeks ago when she came home from work and seemed agitated, we had been getting along okay , she has a very stressful job and our 2 children have recently left the family home , she said if she stayed we would end up fighting and hating eachother, this came totally out of the blue, she said things I have said or done lately she hated me for, when she told me what it was I had said or done they were only trivial things, but not obviously to her. I have read a lot of information on the internet as I am very worried about her, she will not go the doctors as she says she will deal with it herself. she asked me to leave her alone as she just needs to be by herself right now. I have respected her wishes and
I have told her I love her and will always be there for her.
I feel helpless as there is nothing I can seem to do, I cannot drag her to the doctors, I know something is wrong as she seems a totally different woman.
does anyone have any advice please?
or how long will she want to avoid me for, is it a permenant thing or a mood swing? I dont want to push myself on her, i.e, texts or phoning as she has asked me not too.
can anyone help please??

Any suggestions for the best place to buy evening primrose oil and what dose to take? Is 1000 dose enough?

That is a very useful link. I think this might be me!

I had a sudden realisation today that I am now cycle day 34 and still no period, breast pain on one side, zero libido, very moody and lethargic. Am definitely not pregnant BTW. I am 41, is this considered an age to be perimenopausal? My last two periods have been very heavy for the first two days then just spotting for 10 days!! I had the breast pain checked out with a scan and mammogram. My youngest is 18 months. Would love to hear any advice! My mum said she went through the menopause at 50, so could I be perimenopausal for many years before actually being post menopausal?

PS does anyone know if acupuncture could help?

I'm only 38 and was told i was perimenopausal just over at year ago at 37! My periods are irregular and light, lasting no more than 3 days. I get night sweats and am very tearful these days, irritable and anxious. I feel like i have permanent PMT! Also always feel tired and my hair falls out loads and is dry and brittle. I think it started 4 or 5 years ago. I never thought a woman could be in perimenopause before age 45 so at my age this is shocking. Also have been trying for a baby which obviously will never happen now. I just want my periods back aqnd to feel normal again!

Hi. Need some advice. I'm 48 and recently I've began to experience severe mood swings, panic attacks, dizzy turns, lose of libido, awful tastes and severe aching in my joints and bones. I've been treated for breast cancer in the past and have felt really good until 3 months ago. The mood swings have been quite severe but just this week the joint and muscle pain has been unbearable. It's all over my body. I feel like an old women. I'm still very active thou. I don't drink a lot and don't smoke.
I have read that these can be symptoms of the peri menopause and what I've read some people experience very similar symptoms.

Almost 47 but been having really regular periods that are quite light. Read up on menopause and it said that your periods get really heavy but mine not like that. Main problem is sore boobs. Never had this since children, used to get them pre-menstrual every month but after 3 kids and nearly 4 years of breastfeeding didn't get it at all. Big change. Boobs agony now every day, particularly right one and feels really lumpy. Going to GP to ask for a mammogram as I am really worried it could be something serious. Boobs feel like they did when breastfeeding, swollen and sore. Definitely not pregnant, too old, and husband had a vasectomy 6 years ago. Suppose this could be start of the menopause? Anyone else got it something similar?

Hi mrst2 I have the same problems with excruciating breasts they have been getting so sore that I have to hold them when I remove my bra in the evenings. I went to the nurse at my doctors surgery she suggested evening primrose oil, which I have started to take. Let's see if it works,

Arghh I wrote a massive post and stupid phone played up and deleted it all grrrr

So just marking my place for when I have a bit more time, I'm 38 and have realised that many many of the weird things happening to me and my body could be attributed to the perimenopause . Guess I'm gonna have to visit the gp. This is the year I need to sort myself out.. Weight, stop smoking, do some exercise. I'm a bloody mess

Hi there. New to this but feel I'm going out of my mind. Last year I've had night sweats on and off. Last 6 months horrendous moodiness. Taking a dislike especially to OH. Would say for 15 days leading up to my period I have a huge aversion to him I couldn't love him any less!!
My periods are still regular although my last period lasted 12 days and counting which is slightly worrying I have bladder leakage, and want to be just left alone. I have three children and although I may be a little snappy occasionally with them it is nothing like the aversion I have to OH.
I am 46 and feel very sad about growing older. I feel overwhelmed with the enormity of life and small problems escalate until I feel I can hardly breath. Haven't hot dressed today. I'm sitting with curtains closed not answer ring door or telephone. Must make a move before kids get home as I remember my own mother having a very bad menopause and sorting around house all day and not getting dressed. I have no motivation. I just want to curl up in a ball and not join in. Although I feel better when kids are home and cook a meal and socialise.
I'm not liking the person who I am becoming. The moodiness is awful and wish I could just snap out of it.
I have a blood clotting problem and not sure if I can take HRT but would love to feel myself again!
Any further advice would be very welcome

thank god i've came across this thread. i don't feel like i'm going off my head and i'm alone in feeling like this. like pp i don't like the person i'm becoming...i'm 39, fast approaching 40 and these last few months i've experienced most of what everyone listed above has...terrible rage and mood swings. i'm normally so calm and easygoing but when the red mist of rage descends i can cause an argument in an empty room..dizziness, heart palpitations, poor memory , have the attention span and concentration of a goldfish, i seem to have lack of balance and clumsier than usual, my periods are every 2 months now, heavier than normal. it's the mood swings, the irrability that's upsetting..i had trolley rage the other day in tescos when a little old lady was taking too long dithering in the biscuit aisle..i realy wanted to ram her trolley out the way .this just isn't me!!!. I hate feeling like some mad hormonal monster has taken over my body and hate feeling out of control like this. I'm going to make a doc app this week and see if they will hopefully do blood tests to see what is going on. just hope they don't dismiss me when i explain my symtoms and tell me it's all in my head. that's what i'm worried about.

I just joined but I should have found a site like this a very long time ago. I have gone through so much alone and it was so unnecessary but enough whining. I am 50 and have lived the life of a superwoman. I have always been athletic and resilient that I scarecely saw myself go through two vaginal births and three major surgeries. At 47 I said enough to misery: a 7-month-pregnant belly filled with over 25 lbs of fibroids, bloating, water retention, moodswings, rage, anger, depression, aggression, feeling hurt and hated by all, overweight, overworked, and you name it...my hysterectomy was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I didn't know how much I was hurting until the hurt was no longer there. My back pain now is minor, bleeding and spotting gone, I am calmer, my self-love is restored, and I can let go of others. Recently, I have developed vaginal dryness so I treat that with oils, prenatal vitamins, and Zumba dance. My decrease libido is a credit to and for my husband. His lack of interest since we were young left me fatigued and off. I have not had symptoms of hot flashes; but now, my breasts is getting me worried, they are sore and painful all over. What could this be? the last time my breasts behaved this way I was having periods or bearing children. so I am glad to have gone online and be lead to this site and read all your stories and now I am edified. Now ladies, do this: love yourself, let go of unnecessary "loved ones" especially in-laws, shy away from difficult people, learn to love your company, Take long baths with candles, do a spa thing every other week, maintain and upkeep according to your budget, take selfies when you're pretty, cry and empathize even with haters, whiten your teeth, travel near or far, plan something for every holiday and occasion without burning yourself out, read often, stock up on your favorite oldies, learn to dance, delve in the world of your children so you can have fun but meaningful conversations with them. Do all this with a happy heart and in the faces of husbands and loved ones and watch the magic unfold.

The saddest part in going through all these symptoms as they worsen and evolve demoniacally is the feeling of shame and defeat. How one can believe this can be hidden is beyond me. You have literally become a rechargeable explosive and whether you were right or wrong, you feel like crap after every explosion. I do believe that I have the best perimenopausal experience in the family because I remained "loving" haha! My sisters became witches. Ok, we all turned into witches! one of my older sisters actually believes that her explosions are a symbol of how much she cares |Oo| but no one buys that; not our grown-dependent/aggravating children. My younger sister's rage should have her in a straight jacket. The family is divided on account of female moodswings and all the younger generation is left perplexed. Since we all are professionals and "everywoman" who have it together, we provide great parties, great vacations, and great foods; therefore, every now and then, things get back to normal.

Today at work I was thinking I need to see if MN can help me through this.

I am 45 and I initially saw my doctor a few weeks ago because my periods were very heavy, lasting 5 days and arriving every 3 weeks. She diagnosed perimenopause, I feel worn out. Now I'm really struggling with my mood swings too, crying so much on the odd day, its like depression but not! which I have had in the past, also very angry and blowing things out of proportion. My Libido is also rock bottom too :-(

My gp is fitting me with a Mirena coil for the bleeding and doing blood tests in a few weeks time.

I feel I have no one in my circle of friends who can relate to how I feel. I don't wish this on anyone, but I'm glad I'm not alone!

Just marking my place. Really suffering with everything described here. Am 48 so presuming this is it. Am going to buy loads of supplements tomorrow!

I recommend MAGNESIUM supplement. I found it a miracle cure for hot flushing. I take 2x200 mg (chelated magnesium) tablets a day and after 4 days saw a big difference. Any make will do - I buy mine online.

Clootiecity

Not tried Magnesium yet but I've found Evening Primrose Oil a big help with the pmt symptoms and cramping, and my acne-ridden chin is much improved. Just got to find something for the heavy periods and clotting.

MyHF (love your username)
The Evening Primrose Oil has helped with the vaginal dryness too. I'd forgotten, but this was actually my first perimenopause side effect and it's totally gone since I started taking the EPO. Might be worth a try.

hi all i have read the whole thread and i have loads to add from my own experience and research1

first of all i find there is a lot of confusion - with doctors too- about the difference between pre- peri- and post- menopause.

i have found the definitions of these above on the net from a medical school module.

The menopause is just a moment in time - old definition being "last period ever" by implication loss of fertility and ovarian activity.

Before this moment -the whole period of time when your cycle has started changing due to irregular hormonal activity, i personnally call it the menopausal process and it's a veeery looong one!- it's called the pre menopause and after the menopause obviously the post menopause

The peri- menopause is defined as the period of time either way of the menopause moment, roughly one year either side.

They even provided a helpful little diagram a bit like this:

------ [ M ] ----
premenopause [ E ] post-menopause
------[ N ]-----
------[ O ] ----

                                      [perimeno]

sorry i'm no designer but you see what i mean i hope!

Checking in to this very helpful thread. Thought for ages I had thrush that wouldn't shift, or something else terribly wrong down there.

Then I came across a checklist on the Menopause Matters site and it was a light going on: "vaginal discomfort, pain during sex, vaginal itching and/or burning, thrush-like symptoms" - yup, all of those.

I've also had a few incidents of waking up very sweaty (neck and chest mostly) in the middle of the night, my cycle is a couple of days shorter than before, and periods less heavy.

No other symptoms though, and I'm only 38 so I'm not sure if my self diagnosis is correct. I have just started using vaginal oestrogen cream so currently hoping that will take effect soon. If it is the menopause I'd be keen to start HTR sooner rather than later.

Hi I so know the feeling. I've been he'll to live with due to the same reasons. Advice I'd give is head to GP Nd get bloods checked. Then find an excellent Chinese herbalist who will tailor make herbs to suit your symptoms. I'm a diff person since I did this.
Good luck x

If you are experiencing an early/premature menopause then please consider using hrt.

It replaces what your body should be producing naturally if you are under 50.

here's a link