Extreme itching- can this be peri menopause

[HungryHippo20]

Hi there
I've been tracking for months and there is a definite pattern of extreme itching (worse at night) in the two weeks prior to my period. My scalp feels on fire. I have to take piriton every night and it doesn't always help. My cycle is also very erratic, last month it was 24 days and this month I'm in day 34 still no period. It used to be 28 days clockwork but lately it changed monthly but getting more extreme. I also have trouble sleeping and staying asleep and just generally feel shattered all the time!!

Could this be peri menopause? I've suggested this to (make, very disinterested) GP and he almost laughed in my face. I know it can be hard to diagnose through blood tests due to fluctuating hormones but I can't keep going on like this, it's really getting me down!

Any advice welcome!

Thank you ☺️

My eyes have started itching like hell every evening for the past couple of weeks and I'm wondering if it's peri. Itchy skin is definitely on the list of symptoms. That, combined with messed up periods and trouble with sleep sounds like peri to me

How old are you?

Your GP by the way - WHAT a wanker. Any chance there's a women's health specialist at your practice?

Yeah, I have to take an antihistamine as well. It's something to do with collagen in the skin or something.

@Lottapianos it would have helped if I mentioned age! I'll be 44 in March. I'm literally scratching every inch of my body now, I have asked my mum what age she was when she went through menopause, she can't remember but thinks around 45-46, not that it means I'll be the same. I just want to know why this is happening. I think I will call GP again and ask for female this time.

I itched like hell for years until I realised it was hormonal. Now on HRT and has reduced :-)

@wheeliegood did you have a fight to get put on HRT?

Yes! Although maybe fight is an exaggeration. First male doctor sent me for random blood test which showed I was 'not post menopausal'. Which I happened to be fully aware of! Let it go and ignored it as much as possible then other symptoms meant I needed to try again. So requested doctor that specialises in female health and made it very clear from the off that I wanted to try HRT. And she was great and took me seriously! Defo recommend asking to see a doctor who specialises in female health issues.

Omg, I've been itching something terrible lately. On my breasts, stomach and lower back. I didn't even realise it was a menopause thing till I did a questionnaire on menopause. I've just finished my period after a 117 cycle (I was so excited thinking they'd stopped for good!) and the itching seems to have stopped. For now.

I didn't think of antihistamines, I'll try them if (when🙄) it happens again.

I wish I could say I can't believe your GP was so unsympathetic but unfortunately I've had friends have the same thing happen. I haven't been to see a GP yet, but I will definitely ask for the female GP at our practice if I do.

@wheeliegood thanks I'll definitely enquire about doc who is more specialised in female health.

I'm 46 now btw and started HRT 3 months ago roughly. Been itching before that for 4 years on and off! (Worse at night).

@wheeliegood that gives me some hope!!!

@WotNoUserName sometimes antihistamines help me sometimes not. Actually I'm
Finding the distraction of typing messages here helpful lol. That and the fact I don't feel so crazy!!!

@wheeliegood I guess there's pros and cons to weigh up before starting HRT? Did they talk you through all that?

God yes, the itching is the worst. It's due to the decrease in oestrogen which is what produces collagen (or something like that). I've been taking arthred collagen powder and perfectil skin supplements for the past few months and the itching has completely disappeared.

I don't know if itching can be perimenopausal, so this is not to suggest it isn't, but I would recommend getting bloods done if it's combined with abnormally high fatigue (for you), night sweats, weight loss etc, as it can be a sign of other things.

Not so much! But I'm quite relaxed about these things. Was also quite desperate. A friend who started HRT also highlighted that it's not medicine but just hormone 'top ups'. My energy levels are sooo much better and I just feel normal / like me again. And I have much less anxiety.

I had been going to post a similar thread. However my itching is specifically my labia.

It's definitely external, no internal itching and I've done vaginal swabs and got the all clear.

It's driving me crazy. I might be fine for a couple of days and then it will start again. I've tried every cream. I'm honestly at a loss on what to do. I'm 40.

Anyone in the same boat?

@Ecstaticmotion thank you, I had bloods just before Xmas for another reason and the only issue was slightly low calcium so I've to repeat the bloods two months from then just to check. Sadly no weight loss, that would be welcome right now after the festive period 😆

@Avacardo2023 interesting!! I'll look into both thank you!

@wheeliegood I know what you mean re desperation.....it's unbearable at its worst and I can see it bringing me down!! Feel I spend half my cycle in this hell then it's just gone when period arrives!

@frazzled101 it's probably the only place I'm not itchy! I know it can't impact vaginal dryness etc but not sure on your specific issue.

It's definitely peri-menopause. Get yourself to a private clinic if you can. GP's will just waste your time.

I had a lot of itchiness (along with an increased heartbeat) It was an overactive thyroid. Apparently it’s a symptom.

@frazzled101 I had this (am 42) and got estrogen cream which has totally resolved it. It was cyclical as well so I knew it was linked to hormones. I asked to see the women's health specialist and she was great, I was clear I wanted to try it but she did also rule other issues out. I can't quite get then to set me up with a repeat prescription but they reissue one every time I ask.

@DrFosterWentToGloucester23 thanks good to hear a different perspective

Thanks @Aquamarine1029 I feel less like I'm going insane now!

Thank you for the explanation and the suggested treatments. I just have to add ankles as my random site of itching