Could I be perimenopausal (at 34!!!)

[rozzyraspberry]

My periods have always been regular until the start of this year - since then they have been coming every 2 or 3 weeks and have only been lasting a couple of days. Started another period last week and still going strong 6 days later so not sure what's going on!

I am also suffering nightsweats - have to get up and get changed at least once a night, sometimes sheets need changed too. Can get to sleep at night but when I wake up during the night it can take hours to drop off again.

Skin is a mess - spots on face, really itchy legs. Feel really bloated and am struggling to lose the extra lbs I gained over christmas despite running 20 miles a week.

Another factor which makes me think all of this might be menopause related is that I went to have a coil fitted in October last year. I had a veso vagal reaction and had to have it removed. The doctor at the time said she was really surprised that I had had that reaction as it was usually people who hadn't had children or who were reaching the menopause who had this reaction - I didn't think much of it at the time but given the symptoms I'm currently experiencing its made me think.

I know 34 is really young for this - but it happened to my mum at a similar age - she finally went through the menopause at 42 after years of having only 1 or 2 periods a year.

The menopause in itself doesn't really bother me as I have 3 dc and hadn't really planned anymore. I am concerned though that an earlier start could just mean I'll suffer the symptoms for longer.

I'm going to the gp tomorrow to talk it through but would be interested to hear if anyone has had similar experiences.

Hi, yes I think i might be in the same boat unfortunately. I'm 35 and my mum started her menopause at 39, my nan at 40. Since giving birth to my dts, then bfing I've been having very erratic periods and bouts of hot flushes. Thankfully not just now, but a couple of months ago I was getting loads which were waking me lots in the night. It's very exhausting isn't it, especially if your being woken by little ones too?

I've been to the doctors and had iron deficiency ruled out (which was a problem before) then a second test showed that one of my hormone levels might indicate that I'm premenopausal. Now I have to wait until the first day of my next period (if it ever comes, to get another hormone test done plus another test 7 days before my next period. This might be tricky as working out when I am going to get a period is like a shot in the dark right now. So I'm playing a waiting game at the moment but am relieved that the symptoms are not as intense.

Sorry to hear that you are also getting the sweats. It will be interesting to hear what your doctor has to say. The first time i saw mine she said that the menopause had no genetic pattern and that my mum's was irrelevant but the next time I saw her she had changed her mind. It didn't exactly inspire me with confidence...

Thanks Clown - yes it must be a bit tricky trying to plan for blood tests at specific times in your cycle when your periods are all over the place!!

I'm a bit concerned that my doctor will not take my concerns seriously because of my age.

I am finding it a bit tiring but luckily my dcs are 2, 5 and 7 now so not really waking me in the night (although 6am is a popular time to get up!!) Its nice to hear I'm not the only one at this age experiencing this and also what the next steps may be at the doctors.