Does this sound like perimenopause?

[Treakle85]

Hello,

Here is a little bit of information for context.

I always had irregular periods until the age of 27 when they suddenly became more regular and lighter. I then became pregnant and gave birth to my son in 2014. Following this my cycle became irregular again and I have also suffered with premenstrual syndrome since then as well. I was referred to gynaecology and have been told my symptoms are all normal and I am sensitive to hormone fluctuations. I was initially diagnosed with Pcos by an endocrinologist. I wasn't told about this for 2 years and then this was ruled out by gynaecology. Trying to regain my health has certainly been an uphill journey and I have felt fobbed off a lot by health care professionals.

My cycle then regulated again at the same time I started B12 treatment a few years later.

However, I have noticed that my period has changed again more recently.

I have 2 days of heavy bleeding with clots then it becomes extremely light for a few days before stopping.

The past few months I have been having more night sweats, sore breasts (this lasted 3 weeks the other month) I get very tired the week before. Headaches and dizziness. Tingling on face (cobweb sensation). Although this doesn't happen with every cycle. I struggle to sleep leading up to my period for a couple of nights. I have become more emotional too.

I am in the process of ruling out other causes but could this be perimenopause? I am only 35. Has anyone found any supplements helpful with any of these symptoms that may be worth a try?

Sorry for the long post, but thank you for reading. I guess I just need to hear from some other ladies who are struggling with hormone issues. I appreciate any advice or suggestions.

[wobblybee Administrator]

Women over 45 years presenting with menopausal symptoms are diagnosed with perimenopause or menopause based on their symptoms alone, without confirmatory laboratory tests. Women under 40 years presenting with menopausal symptoms have their levels of FSH measured.23 Jun 2017guidelinesinpractice.co.uk › ...

[Treakle85 in reply to wobblybee]

Thank you for your reply. I have mentioned my symptoms to my Gp but she didn't seem all that concerned. Just asked me what was said at my gynaecology appointment (which was years ago). She did ask if they did any hormone tests. They did, but at a random point in my cycle and just told me that they are hard to interpret as they fluctuate. I got told my symptoms are all normal, even that huirtism is just my age 🤔

I am having a few other tests to rule out other things but will certainly ask for my Fsh to be tested due to my age if they don't show anything. My grandmother had a hysterectomy and my mother had a hysterectomy and her ovaries removed in her 30's. Seems we have some troubles in my family!

Thank you again for your kind reply

😀

[wobblybee Administrator in reply to Treakle85]

🙂Perimenopause has been discussed many times...type it into the searchbox (top right) to see links to previous discussions..you might find something helpful 🙂

[Treakle85 in reply to wobblybee]

I will have a look thank you.

[duchess1226]

My doctor said that 'cob-web' feeling could be silent migraine... I get it right before my cycle every month. xoxo

[Treakle85 in reply to duchess1226]

Thank you for the reply. I have been getting a lot of head pressure and facial pain so am in the process of trying to figure it all out. I have an ENT appointment coming up so will see if they can help. I just seem to have a lot of hormonal symptoms as well so trying to figure out what is causing what is bit of a mine field.

[duchess1226 in reply to Treakle85]

ALL of my symptoms are around my cycle so hormonal.. I think??? Its so hard and I have been to soooo many doctors all who found nothing so I end back at hormones. Hang in there and get your answers. 😊

[Treakle85 in reply to duchess1226]

I hope you are getting the help and support you need as well. Hormonal problems don't get the attention they deserve sadly. Once others things are ruled out it seems like we are left to get on with things and suffer with it. These forums are great for ideas and support.

[duchess1226 in reply to Treakle85]

I am the product of just that, medical doctors of varying specialties have ALL said hormones but very few solutions. These forums have become such an amazing place for me.

[wobblybee Administrator in reply to duchess1226]

🤔 I used to get DeJa Vu, my Neurologist said it could have been Silent Migraine....

[EmB18]

Hopefully your GP is also doing some bloods tests to check thing like your vitamin B12 and iron levels just to rule out anything else that might be going on too. I get low iron levels sometimes which gives me headaches and makes me feel really tired. I find trying to be careful with my diet helps too.

[Treakle85 in reply to EmB18]

Hi,I have been having B12 injections for a while due to my level dropping and having symptoms. They certainly helped with a lot of symptoms, years of foot pain greatly reduced thankfully! But some symptoms remained. My FBC has been OK and my Ferritin ranges between 40-55. (most recently 55)

I am due to see ENT soon so am hoping they may be able to help too.

Thanks for your reply 😊

[Belle76]

What you have written is very similar to what happened to me symptoms wise headaches not sleeping etc. I knew it was my hormones so just prepared my self for that week or 2 of being tired headaches etc. during lock down I started to miss periods so looked in to peri menopause and found that all my symptoms were this, I had been suffering for a while. I brought a book about menopause ( menopause manual by Haynes). It’s by Louise Newson leading specialist in menopause.I did have blood tests because I was under 45 but they were normal, my period started the day after my blood test after 21/2 months. But I believe they have to do more than 1 during different times of your cycle. When I turned 45 about 6 months later I asked for HRT and have begun my journey with then.

[Treakle85 in reply to Belle76]

Hi, thank you for your reply. I'm glad you are finally getting some help with your symptoms and wish you well. I too will be asking for a blood test to check my hormone level if other tests come back normal. I have suffered with hormonal problems for years, (premenstrual syndrome is not fun) I sat crying my eyes out in front of the gynaecologist asking for help (not my finest moment) and he just said my symptoms were all normal 🤔 I was offered the birth control pill but was reluctant to try it at that time (previous bad experience and I like to know the problem before taking medication) but may reconsider it now. Recent changes have me on the search for further answers first.

I have never had tests done at a specific point in my cycle nor have tests been repeated a few weeks later to see what is going on. I know hormones fluctuate so it can be difficult to interpret. I think being young does go against me here as I am looked upon as being too young. I wonder how many younger women are dismissed and given antidepressants in these situations?

However, I am more than happy for other things to be ruled out that could explain my symptoms though and do think this is wise so something is not missed. I will have a look at the book you have suggested.Thanks again for your kind reply 😊

[Smithy999]

I never had any blood tests done, just had a really good chat with a Womans Health nurse about my symptoms and she agreed to let me try HRT which has been brilliant so far. Dr. Louise Newton also has an app called Balance which has lots of information and a symptom tracker to use. X

[Treakle85 in reply to Smithy999]

Hi,That's great to hear that you were given good support and listened to 😊 are you younger than 45? I am going to track my cycle more (never really have as always knew when it was coming based on symptoms) I have noticed that the past 6 months some seem to have come earlier and some later than expected. I have heard about the app so think that would be good for me as I can track my symptoms better and have something to show my gp.

Thank you for your reply 😊

[Smithy999 in reply to Treakle85]

Sorry no I'm 47 now, started with Peri symptons approx 3 years ago x

[Treakle85 in reply to Smithy999]

Thank you 😊

[Emma43]

Hi I'm new and I've just seen this thread - as Belle76 mentioned Louise Newson has a lot of information on peri menopause. There's a website called Balance and an app where you can gain info and track symptoms etc.. I'm peri and suffering severe symptoms. I'm 43 now but started a good few years ago, just got increasingly worse over the past year / year & half.

Blood tests will not show if you are peri or not - the peri stage is so erratic with hormone levels constantly changing, so blood tests on the whole are not reliable, GP's 'should' go off symptoms. There's helpful info on the NICE Guidelines. However, like other issues such as thyroid matters, unfortunately most GP's tend not to know a lot about all this - which surprises me with so many women experiencing it! It's very common for women to start experiencing peri symptoms many years prior to the typical signs, we just put it down to other life issues at the time.

I'd definitely mention the night sweats to your GP (this was one thing that swayed them when nothing showed on my blood tests) and please do see a different GP if one is adamant they won't investigate it further. My initial GP tried to put me on the pill and then anti-depressants but I refused. Luckily I spoke to a different GP who's sister had experienced the same as me so hence my HRT journey began, but if it wasn't for her I'd probably still be battling with others over it. I was a complete mess by that stage with overwhelming anxiety and very low days on top of other stuff.

Menopause matters is a website that was also helpful to me.

I've started to think I also have a thyroid issue - the symptoms can overlap...but that's another battle by sounds of it that I'm looking into. We all have different natural levels of hormones, it's at this stage i wish I'd known what my 'normal' levels were as it'd have helped. So I'd advise keeping a track of yours when you get them from the GP, it'll help with any future treatment you may have. The best time to check estrogen levels are generally on day 2-4 of your cycle, sometimes doctors say 19-22 days if they're also checking progesterone.

Also remember the peri stage is on & off so randomly some months you'll feel ok and others you won't, it is good to keep a track and you'll pick up on any cyclic patterns and added symptoms. Sorry, I didn't mean to go on so much but I've been constantly researching for a year now - do check out Louise Newson (on youtube too), provides so much helpful info! Good luck and try to remember to listen to your instincts, they are there for a reason!