Dr put me on HRT but I don't think I'm peri-menopausal!!

[girlladywoman]

I've been going to the drs for about 18 months to 2 years, from the age of about 38.

Reasons include:
~ Thrush when I ovulate
~ extreme fatigue (altho this isn't as bad as it used to be at all. In fact haven't had it for months)
~ major unexplained ovary pain that lasted for 6 weeks and I had scans etc
~ headaches (these aren't much anymore either)
~ hair, nail breakage

BUT:
I am 40 and between 40 and 45c chances of early menopause is 5%. Before that it's 0.5-1% and I've had these symptoms ON AND OFF since I was 38.

AND... the MAIN symptom of menopause is an irregular period but mine is like clockwork!!!

Try it, honestly you may be surprised.

Have you had any tests to rule other things out? If all else is well then I'd say your symptoms do sound peri-menopausal.

"AND... the MAIN symptom of menopause is an irregular period but mine is like clockwork!!!"
Hmm, no, not true. There are over 30 recognised symptoms of peri-menopause. Every woman is different and will experience a different combination and number of symptoms. I have those you list plus more but my periods are fully regular.
Peri-menopause is the lead-up, when your body is changing. Menopause is when your periods have stopped for at least a year.

Give the HRT a try. You might feel better but you can always stop it later if it's not doing anything for you.

Perimenopause can last 10 years and average age of menopause is 51 - worth asking female relatives when theirs was as there is some family trend towards early/late. So late thirties early forties you could well be peri.

What are you worried about?

Try the HRT and see if it makes you feel better. If it does, all well and good, you can continue with it. If it doesn't help, go back to the doctor and ask for something else.

Menopause is when your periods have stopped for at least a year

Ive seen that described as post menopause. What is the difference?

I was/am perimenopausal and my periods actually became more regular. So that assumption is not correct.

@Blackandwhitemakesgrey Post-menopause is when you've reached menopause. I suppose you could say menopause is just a moment, it's when you have reached the time when you haven't had a period for a year. Before that time you are peri-menopausal, after that time you are post-menopausal.

Menopause means cessation of menstruation. The issue is that it can only be diagnosed retrospectively. If you have a period, how do know it's your last one? That's why they say no periods for a year, to be certain it's the last one.

the MAIN symptom of menopause is an irregular period but mine is like clockwork!!!

Your BLOCK CAPITALS don't make this correct!

It's actually one of the less usual symptoms in terms of perimenopause. Far more likely are the symptoms you describe.

My periods are still regular, tho lighter. My peri symptoms were varied & included extreme fatigue, terrible sleep, joint pain, awful mood swings, panic, itching.

As a PP said, it's of course advisable to check for any other causes, do full bloods etc. But HRT may very well be helpful.

@girlladywoman Did the GP do a blood test to check your FSH levels?

Agree with a pp who suggest that you ask female relatives when they started peri because an early menopause is hereditary.