Perimenopause??
Hi ladies,
Have or are any of you going through perimenopause/ early menopause?
I'm really struggling with confusion ( brain fog) anxiety & depression. I feel exhausted and I ache everywhere. I often burn up in my face & feel dizzy & get headaches . My breasts also really hurt most evenings .
I really don't feel like me anymore 😔
I'm 40. My doctor said I am too young to go through any menopause symptoms yet?
I have been menopausal since aged 38, now on HRT and it does make a difference to the hot flushes and brain fog and night sweats. Also had 2 of the blood tests but been told they are a complete waste of time as they don’t always give a true picture of meno. Have a look at Dr Louise Newson on the Balance App, tells you a lot on there about being menopausal with endometriosis and adenomyosis. I would find a doctor who takes your seriously too, as you may be “young” for symptoms but they still happen to some women at a younger age. I’m 41 now, hope you get some help soon x
Thank you so much for your reply. The brain fog is awful 😖 I feel like I have dementia! I keep doing silly things & forgetting so much. I go to bed exhausted & wake up through the night with anxiety. I just don't feel right, I haven't for the past year tbh.
How did you convince them to give you HRT? Xx
it was my gynaecology consultant who told my GP to put me onto HRT 😀after being on it for say a fortnight the difference was amazing, don’t get me wrong you still have the odd hot flush and tearful moments / forgetfulness but it seems more manageable (for my anyway). For info I am on Evorel Conti patches x
Oh, that's amazing! So pleased for you. I think I have a battle on my hands, but I'm not given up. I know my body & this is awful 😖 xx
definitely don’t give up, I think sometimes you have to tell them what you want, be strong and don’t give in to what they think as it’s your body, you live with the symptoms 💜let us know how you get on x
My hot flushes started when I was 40 and for me that was the start of it all, unfortunately. We were trying to conceive but it never happened. Good luck to you, hope you’ll start feeling better x
oh boy your doctor is badly misinformed.
The average age of menopause is 45. Symptoms of peri menopause have been consistently seen and reported ten years prior to menopause. That’s 35.
Then for those of us who have had surgeries (not just complete hysterectomy’s but pelvic surgery of any kind can trigger primary ovarian insufficiency) can start peri menopause even earlier or more suddenly.
I recommend you join the subreddit r/menopause. It includes those of us in peri and full menopause. Most people say perimemopause is far worse than menopause. As someone who has had a hysterectomy (cured my adenomyosis, didn’t help my endometriosis of course) and kept my ovaries but who started perimenopause symptoms within weeks of the surgery, I have had horrendous peri menopause symptoms for the past 2.5 years (since my hysterectomy). I’ve been reporting them to my gp who is actually one of only two doctors who believes me when I report symptoms. She does tests to rule out thyroid, full menopause etc and that’s kind of it. However she saw me have a full hot flush in December and I get so saturated in sweat that she thought it was raining. So that convinced her to let me try low dose estrogen patches. I have to get a mammogram as well, and she is very safe and careful but I can say that the estrogen patches have cut my hot flushes from 6-8 a day to 2 a week. And I’m on a low dose and it’s only been 2 weeks.
The patch hasn’t helped the weight gain, insomnia, or painful mouth yet but I’m extremely encouraged.
However my endo pain has worsened. I’m exploring medical cannabis for my pain relief. And it may help with the insomnia too.
I am 41, and my peri menopause symptoms started when I was 39 after my hysterectomy.
Thank you so much for your reply.
I've read up on this & it seems many ladies in their late 30's suffer with perimenopause, but sadly, my doctor is stuck in the 1980's!
A year ago, I had a lap to investigate my Pelvic pain & was sterilised at the same time, my peri symptoms definitely started then!?
It's bad enough dealing with adeno pain , but all this on top is just draining, I've never felt so exhausted, depressed & brain fogged.
I'm glad you are getting the right help, we shouldn't have to battle & suffer.
I've heard good things about medical cannabis! Xx
I am so sorry. I don’t understand some doctors. Your suffering has a cause and a solution or certainly some solutions that can be trialled. Hrt patches are super common nowadays and come with very few risks. The surgery you had last year almost certainly triggered peri menopause.
Can you see anyone else apart from this dr who is very very negligent? It’s not just about suffering - it’s about really important and necessary hormones to keep our bones from crumbling and our hearts from stopping. Both of which cost the nhs a buttload in hospital fees. Like whichever way you look at this, you need and deserve proper basic care.
Are there any drs in the uk who offer Telehealth appts? I know I follow some uk women on Instagram who have accounts almost solely about peri menopause and how to get the help you deserve. I’ll find their names and dm you. Or post here.
Thank you so much for your helpful advice. I am going to ask to talk to a different doctor. I can't carry on like this, is really effecting my quality of life. I watched a program on menopause last night & I could relate to it all!
It's awful how us woman get fobbed off xx
Also, I had a blood test about 6 months ago, as I started feeling worse then. All that came back was slightly low iron, from my heavy periods. I've been on top of my iron since. This feels more than low iron, I'm a hormonal mess, I literally feel exhausted like I've just had a baby& I have bad baby brain. Only way I can describe it 😣
I don't hold out much hope for these blood tests.
Dementia runs in our family & I read that the earlier we get HRT the better.
It's sad how not enough doctors are updated with all this important info. So many woman are suffering needlessly 😢 xxx
Hi huni, defo sounds like you have perimenopausal symptoms. Don't let your g.p fob you of with bloods if they come back normal very difficult to get them to come back inaccurate as your hormones fluctuate throughout the day. I know for a fact I started feeling a change within my body around the age of 38 I'm now 42 I spent 4 years not feeling myself. Only just recently I finally got them to listen. I'm now 3 months into hrt. I also had endo stage 2 removed 16 months ago. I'm now a lot better when my periods are due and during the only issue I can't seem to crack is sleep I still keep waking through the night but before hrt I literally would spent 2 weeks every month feeling like a monster (my poor partner) I would endure severe exhaustion, depressed, anxiety through the roof, tearful, heart palpitations, back and hip pain, insomnia the list goes on. It really does impact your life. Looking back now all the symptoms started around the age of 38 your defo not to young. Keep going back to your g.p until you get your message heard. As the lady said above the balance app is a amazing to get information and other ladies stories. Wishing you loads of luck keep fighting 🙏 x
Hi, I have been experiencing the same things. No hot flushes and my regular periods haven't arrived this month. I have severe brain fog, pain in joints, unexplained wight gain, lack of energy anxiety and everything feels hopeless.
I eventually got a GP appointment as I also have underactive thyroid, which the brain fog is a usual sign for me that levels are off. Also advice from a fellow endo sufferer to get VIt D checked. Gave symptoms to GP and age of 49 and they immediately suggested must be peri menopause. Pushed for bloods to check thyroid, vit D. So far Vit D levels are low so hoping supplements will start to improve things.
Try get bloods and get Thyroid and at least Vit D levels checked plus anything else they can do to help. My advice would be to get checks done on other things before accepting its menopause, we have to accept that we will go through MP at some point but there are also other things that go on with our bodies that can trigger these feelings.
Hope this helps, 🙏 and Good luck, I sympathise with you and completely understand how you are feeling. X
There's loads of good advice here so I dont want to repeat it or state the obvious but where I live there is a menopause clinic at the hospital. I went into menopause at 50 but had been treated for endometriosis and adenomiosis and so one set of problems got replaced with another. My doctor at the hospital was an expert in endo stuff as it happened and knew my history but she had no concern with me having treatments. I'm on evorel conti patches 75mg and these can be a higher dose if needed. A friend of mine is a private meno dr and takes 150mg cos as well as boosting oestrogen levels it also protects from osteoporosis and alzheimers. For ladies going into early menopause it is vital bone health is preserved early. My mum had bad osteoporosis in her 60s cos she had a hysterectomy at 35 and in those days HRT wasnt recommended to her. For interest I'm also on testosterone in the form of a gel (tostran) and this alleviates many menopausal symptoms. Your GP cant prescribe it and it has to be done through the hospital so this could be a way to see a menopause specialist by asking for tostran. I told her I needed it cos my libido was low (which it was) and was affecting my marriage. This seemed to work. They will test your testosterone levels and if low (under 5) they will give you enough to get you back there. I have a gel to apply this. As oestrogen levels fall so do testosterone levels so this should be a standard test for meno women but isnt. And additionally with these treatments above they must also give you progesterone. I'm on desgesterol and now also utrogestran to protect the womb lining. If you have a hysterectomy though the need for this protection will disappear. So to add to the feed I would try and get past your GP and be seen by an expert in a hospital. Hard to do but GP knowledge in menopause is varied. One older female GP I saw was superb but most have scant knowledge. I wish you all the best. The fight for treatment will be worth it.
Hello lovely, Thank you so much for your reply.
I'm seeing gynea soon (as I have another prolapse 😣) so I will mention it to them , see if I can get any help or advice in that area.
I'm not given up, we have to be our own advocates, sadly!
It was a battle getting adiagnosis for pelvic pain, now this! Just all feels never ending 😣 us ladies really go through it, it's not fair 😣 xxx
I agree. We shouldn't have to keep fighting to be heard. On a positive note my pharmacist said the government might be making drugs for menopause free in the future. I've got a prepayment prescription now I have 4 meno drugs (!!). Hopefully it wont be long and perhaps before retirement (haha).. take care xx
with the greatest of respect you’re doctor is talking absolute rubbish. My niece had similar symptoms and eventually went private. They confirmed she was post menopausal. She was 38 and had sadly delayed having children due to work. Get a second opinion or, if finance permits go to the Newson Clinic xxxx
Unfortunately it could be Peri-menopause. Equally could be stress, depression. Could be the Thyroid or Cyst on Ovary. I doubt it's anything horrible but I would get a full bloods tests. Another thing to think about is diet. Don't take Soya as this contains Estrogen. Make sure you are taking Vit D3, Vit C and the Vit B's this time of year we can suffer with the poor natural light.
Thank you for your reply.I've rulled all this out, I take all these vitamins & have a good anti-inflamotory diet. I'm also very proactive, I do meditation, yoga & really look after myself. Whatever is going on is really starting to take over 😣 hopefully the blood tests give some sort of answer xxx
not true … go to Louise Newsomes Website and app Balance. All the info
HiI'm 48 and it sounds the same as me. I'm moody and upset, ache everywhere, tired. Because of my endo doc won't give me any hormone treatment for my perimenopause. Can't seem to find advice for going through this. Endo advice yes, menopause yes but both together I feel alone.
I hear you 😣 it's so draining ,isn't it.
It's so hard to shake this feeling. feels like a big black cloud above our heads.
Always here if you want to talk 💓
For goodness sake , pardon my language but the dr is talking drivel. Go to Louise Newson’s website there’s great info there. If you can afford go to one of the clinics. Most of the scripts thereafter are available on NHS.
No, that is not too young for perimenopause and it can last several years before you are menopausal (haven't had your period for one year). I'm 43 and I am going through perimenopause. Menopause starts early in my family - my mom was menopausal and had osteoporosis by the time she was in her late thirties. I'm fortunate not to have the emotional symptoms but have a lot of musculoskeletal pain and pelvic pain, lightheadedness during my periods, irregular periods, heavy periods with blood clots, osteoporosis, hot flashes, cold flashes. I recommend talking to your gynecologist about it or seeing a naturopathic doctor. I've been taking herbal supplements and undergoing physical therapy for my symptoms but for some people, taking hormones to replace the estrogen can help. My personal experience was that taking birth control made my pelvic pain symptoms worse and made me have spotting for several months so it's not the route to go for everyone.
I didn't get on with birth control either, never have.
My sister is 2 years older than me, she's on HRT. My mum also had symptoms at my age.
I have all those symptoms too, but this brain fog & depression is awful.
Oh it's a man's world 😭 xx
Also, thank you for your reply 🙏💖 how are you doing now?
Hello so sorry not to get back to you sooner. I am doing well most of the time but have chronic pelvic pain symptoms that creep back sometimes - though usually only for a short while. The reactivation of my symptoms seems to often be tied to drinking things like tea and soda which I think causes bladder pain for me and then sets off the whole pelvic pain cycle again. Now that I've figured that out I will be more diligent in avoiding both. I also take ginger root supplement, oregano oil supplement, probiotics, and occasionally a wormwood, green walnut husk, clove tincture which seems to help with pain and inflammation. In addition I use an herbal cream mixed with calendula oil that I apply to the abdominal region to help relax and soothe the area.
I experienced exactly the same thing to the point it felt like I had been stabbed in the nipple. I still get burning cheeks and vomit now just after a period. Not sure what to think or do accept wait and associate it with the endometriosis. I really feel for you and I hope your symptoms improve 🥰
Oh, it's awful. Isn't it 😣 have you spoken to your doctor about it? It's all horrible, I feel for you too.Thank you 🙏💖
No because I have made appointments when the pain has been too intense or my symptoms presented something new or concerning but I just think it could be a long time waiting so I might as well suck it up and carry on because my children are priority. I feel fortunate although stage 4 I am still capable of working part time and participating in some activities but sometimes I don't want to move. ❤️
Oh bless you, you are so strong💖
Always here if you want to talk xx
That's very kind. Yes strong most of the time but there are times when you feel like something has invaded your whole system and shut you down 🥰 keep smiling and persevere x
So true! It's awful 😣💖 xxx
Hi I've been perimnopausel for nearly 12 years now and I'm 49. To say you're too young is total nonsense. Hope you get someone who will listen and help, sending you a big hug x❤️
Thank you. You're all really helping me feel like I'm not going mad.
Can I ask how you have coped?
I'm trying everything but can't shake this horrible anxiety & depression xxx
Hi I was struggling with anxiety and depression but the doctors put me on norethisterone. That has helped so much, unfortunately a gynecologist doesn't want me having it due to being 49 years old, but i have a review at my doctors in three weeks, when they are expecting her report to be in. I'm going to tell them straight that I was starting to have suicidal thoughts before I got the medication and it's only my daughter's and husband, and God that have kept me from that dark door. I pray, watch comedies, read books that helps and my family. Sorry this is a little depressing hope I'm not upsetting you. I also find helping others lifts my mood and gives me something to get out of bed for. Sending you a big hug x
Thank you for your honest reply 🙏 You sound like me, I do all this too. It's my children that keep me going. This really is such a dark place xx
It most certainly is isn't it. Xx
All my symptoms have been since I was sterilised. Sadly, just like adenomyosis there's not enough info & media on it, yet!
same, mine started at 38 but I didn’t know what was happening, finally went to GP at 43 who refused HRT and said because I was 43 I’m too young.
Perimenopause made me have 2 periods a month around 9-12 days long so with Endo and heavy bleeding was hell.
I had to pay for Newson Clinic as GPS refused to do anything. HRT was amazing and working Nelson clinic sent a letter to GP of which HRT I’m on and to carry it on as it’s worked but GP point blank refused, said it’s up to them and they’re not giving it to me, even though it was working. Anyway I went to sexual health clinic at local nhs which luckily had menopause dr in it, she gave me HRT and told GPS to carry on with it so they had to.
GP’s don’t have much training on menopause, they are meant to keep up to date and train but many don’t. There is so much ignorance and bad practice around something that affects half the population.
- Dr Louise Newson @menopause_doctor on IG - LOTS of info!
- She also set up The menopause charity - themenopausecharity.org/
The menopause charity @themenocharity
- Also the Balance app is brilliant for tracking symptoms and it even gives you reports you can print out for your GP and loads of fact sheets, they have ones for Endometriosis and perimenopause and menopause.
@balancemenopause
you can see patterns in your symptoms and a full list of symptoms, many of which people (including some GPS) don’t even know are perimenopause and menopausal symptoms.
Good luck with everything
Thank you so much for your reply. How awful! Just shocking.
I watched Davinas menopause programme & it was recorded that a majority of womans suicide, the ages were at peri & menopause. It's so sad. There's really not enough help & support.
Dr Newson is amazing, we need more ladies like her. Thank you so much for the link.
I'm glad you're finally getting the right help & support 🙏💜
Older women/endo/perimenopause 
perimenopause -bleeding heavily from urethra only when I menstruate.. assumed endometriosis
Not taking HRT why am I still having endo pains?
Any “older” menopausal ladies out there please? 
Severe endo removed on Fri...Getting Decapeptyl injection today...but freaking out!
Have you been put on any new medication lately that could account for it?
No, nothings new. Been on my same pain meds for 2 years now. I just don't feel like me anymore 😔 xx
Do you have, or have you had, severe endo that involved endometriomas (ovarian endo) that were excised (or not) as this can reduce your ovarian reserve quite considerably and could result in early menopause?
No, just awful adenomyosis. I'm waiting for a hysterectomy. I also have a prolapse 😣 x
Blood tests aren't usually useful for perimenopause as the levels fluctuate so much, Menopause itself usually occurs from 45 and 55 with the average age 51, although those in their 30s can have it early.
Perimenopause would usually start 8-10 years prior to menopause so at 40 you are about spot on for expecting to have symptoms of perimenopause. I would challenge your GP with this evidence and you could ask to try HRT at a low dose. They really can't refuse you - see a different GP if needs be. Note that for those with a history of endo combined HRT (oestrogen plus progesterone) is recommended so this would be the case both prior and after a hysterectomy.
Obviously this isn't a diagnosis or medical advice but hopefully it might help with the next GP consult.
The link to the NHS website in below.
nhs.uk/conditions/menopause...
Thank you so much for your replies.
Although she was quite dismissive, she did eventually agree to blood tests, but, like you say, bloods are not really accurate. I have a feeling this might be a battle x