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Perimenopause

misc2013

Looking for a discussion about Perimenopause related symptoms.

I seem to have a range of new annoyances of late and it would appear pretty much all of them could be related. I'm 49. For the past year I've definitely had the night sweats, ugh.

My newish symptoms this past couple of months include fatigue, occasional migraine (never had this before), occasional heartburn at night ( never had this before) constant thirst and /or increased muscle /back aches.

Anyone having similar joy?

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JP Liz V1

How is it diagnosed exactly, blood tests?

herbalplants

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120805156#Comment_120805156

Yes blood tests. They check your hormone levels.

Pistachio19

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120805156#Comment_120805156

Blood tests are not necessarily used for diagnosis, especially over the age of 45. Symptoms should be enough to diagnose. Symptom lists are available online and its best to tick one off and bring it to the gp so you can actually remember what your symptoms are! I ticked the list off but forgot to bring it - forgetfulness being a symptom of mine. In perimenopause your levels of oestrogen fluctuate a lot so you could have a high reading today and a low reading in a few days. Progesterone is the first hormone to deplete and can do so from mid 30's onwards. This can result in heavier periods which a lot of women will experience into their 40's.

If a woman would like to try HRT, the best thing is to start low on oestrogen and work your way up. You will also be prescribed progesterone/progestin alongside the oestrogen, though if you have had a hysterectomy you may not need progesterone. The progesterone/progestin element is primarily to protect the womb lining from thickening. Its a trial and error situation to get the dose of HRT correct for each individual, so while I could use a 25mg oestrogen patch, my friend of the same age could be on a 100mg patch.

Its definitely worth learning about and finding out how the depletion of our hormones can affect us both physically and mentally. HRT is a very individual choice and its not something everyone will want or be able to use, but it can be life changing for many women.

bejeezus

It sounds like pure hell. I’m 39 and in denial that it’ll ever happen to me tbh.

suvigirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120815634#Comment_120815634

My GP didn't even bother. She said there was no point given that the hormones fluctuate during the month.

I am on the mini pill for years, and don't get periods, so couldn't even judge by that.

She said based on symptoms she would start me on hrt, within 10 days I felt the affects. Great stuff.

[Deleted User]

No, it’s not pure hell honestly, please don’t anticipate misery. My colitis in my younger days before colectomy/ileostomy was hell, my present Multiple Sclerosis is even worse hell. Menopause causes hot flushes & some issues, but some have very few issues (my late mother being an example) and most symptoms can be ameliorated.

I’m 62 now, been through all that, I put things in perspective, at least some of the time 🤣 For women to write themselves off as brain-fogged and unable to take in anything underplays the fact our brains can be extremely productive. I took up computer coding to keep my brain working, and now I can detect many errors, eg, in a Python script produced by someone else or even Chat GPT, at a glance and can troubleshoot easily. It is just amazing that older women can be especially productive as there have been learning skills quietly accumulated through life.

Re hormone replacement therapy, always make sure your endometrium doesn’t get over-stimulated by estrogen, and that sufficient progesterone is taken, unless one has had ovaries removed. During a recent scan for MS an incidental finding was a pronounced endometrial hyperplasia, and before MS immune suppression I have to be checked for potential carcinoma lying relatively quietly in there. I am on smallest dose Estradot patch with progestogen taken in cycles. I never had children, heightening the risk, also my mother was prescribed a since banned drug during pregnancy called diethylstilbestrol (DES) which greatly raises genital tract cancers in daughters, also somewhat in sone too. So risk factors have to be taken into account, and regular checks made.

bejeezus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120967732#Comment_120967732

I can empathise with you on that. I have crohns disease and at times it was hellish. I just hope I have an easy ride through menopause. I know my mum had an awful time, but that was many moons ago. Best of luck and health .

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120967714#Comment_120967714

My GP just went by the bloodtests and told me my levels were fine.

suvigirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120967829#Comment_120967829

Yeah, that's the thing, your levels can be fine, so if you have other symptoms what could be causing them?

I was honestly delighted with my GP

herbalplants

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120967714#Comment_120967714

Interesting. My GP who is a female around my age didn't want to put me on HRT, she asked me to take herbal medicine. I am actually taking ashwagandha in the evening, knocks me out every night, I sleep like a log. She said she will only put me on HRT if I can't function during the day.

suvigirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120967894#Comment_120967894

If it works for you then that's good, the hrt has been brilliant for me.

Whatever works for us is the important thing ,😊

herbalplants

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120967900#Comment_120967900

Totally agree. I know some older friends were on hrt and it worked really well 😁

JP Liz V1

Is there a good multivitamin supplement for pre peri etc.,?

seenitall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121019311#Comment_121019311

I take Terra Nova’s “Living Multivitamin - Woman”. Available from health food shops (E.g. evergreen), it is also boosted with helpful spices and herbs. Check it out.

Am 49 now, still regular with my cycles, still taking all my supplements and still steering clear of anything else. I also drink green tea whenever sitting down for a beverage.

I have had so many symptoms for so long, like pre-menstrual fatigue or migraine, sleepiness, low mood, feeling quite warm for some periods of time (in luteal phase), occasional anxiety, sensitive breasts, digestive tract problems, etc, etc. And yet none of them are actually even close to being overwhelming or feel serious, all of them pass after a while and then another one turns up, according to the time in the cycle. They all feel kind of “muted”, for want of a better word. I’m pretty sure That’s due to the supplementation I’m doing.

Yes, @herbalplants, I’ve already read great things about ashwagandha, if I ever start feeling like I want to switch from my spices and herbs for a mood boost or for a calming effect (passionflower/passiflora and lemonbalm are lovely for the latter), I’ll keep it in mind!

YellowLead

Anyone else have spots appear all of a sudden? I’ve always had good skin, never got any spots but 6 months ago a few appeared and now my whole lower face is pretty much covered in them and they don’t go away but just keep building. Googling it and the images for perimenopause acne looks just like my face. Had never really been aware of peri to be honest - 39 and I didn’t think I’d have to worry about menopause stuff for about another decade. I also have heart palpitations which I had no clue were a symptom until recently. These are my only two symptoms really - I’ve always had brain fog on and off but I eat a high sugar diet so have tended to attribute it to that.

My gp isn’t great so I might look for a specialist clinic or something.

Gremlinertia

Depends where you are in the country but there are people attached to gp surgeries and gynae units that are very interested and proactive in the peri area, it's very difficult to have someone listen at times.

misc2013

Hi all. I'm still hoping to start HRT. Finally went to GP but there's blood issues need checking and long story short, i need to see histomology to check am i a suitable candidate. Really hoping.

My earlier symptoms have eased buy replaced by others. Like others have said, symptoms can change and come and go but iy appears there's always some other irritating ones to take over!

Most annoying are the anxiety and palpitations. Never an issue before all this. Also experiencing joint and muscle aches, particularly in my fingers and feet and legs and knees. Very annoying. Someone mentioned swimming so i have been swimming twice a week since July and i think it helps somewhat with the anxiety but still have the aches and pains. Especially at night. Occasional nuisance headaches but migraines have taken a break for now, thankfully. They're the worst.

herbalplants

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121422552#Comment_121422552

I had those symptoms too. Out of nowhere I had palpitations and shortness of breath which scared me. I am happy to report I went through them and they have disappeared. The shortness of breath had me very worried. I had panic attacks actually twice while swimming in the sea. I never had them in my life. They are gone too. Huhhh. The pains in my joints yes too, gone at the moment. I would recommend take omega for that.

I never went on HRT and my GP recommend me not to go on HRT.

I only took herbal supplements.

I would advise to try to bear and you may go through in 6 months.

Sunrise_Sunset

I'm 42, and believe I'm perimenopausal.

The frequency of my cycle is getting shorter and shorter, I'm down to a 22 day cycle some months. I read that this can happen before they start to space out. I've always suffered with oily, blemish prone skin but it's gotten a lot worse, and my hair is visibly oily after 1.5 days. I began suffering with anxiety really badly this year too, to the point that I had to go on meds, which I never thought I'd do.

misc2013

My night sweats had long stopped, I thought.

Back again!

The palpitations, anxiety and muscular and joint aches are my worst symptoms now.

Milly33

Oh ladies have not been on boards in a while but was just browsing and I swear I could just cry now!! Why when our systems just get to normal something changes… I am early forties (first time writing that one down :) ) and I asked the doc last year if she thought I might be peri and she said no, too young..

I started taken the clean marine menomin and will say they defo helped with the mood swings the last year and all else, but this last month I have felt like utter shite to be honest.. My periods are in between a 30 or 33 day cycle, the night sweats are there no matter what i wear to be, sex drive is more or less every now and again, and the feeling of just failure with all.. I am generally a very happy person just this last two months feels like trying to catch a breath.. After reading all I am defo going to get to the doctor to maybe get bloods done, and some help…

fits

I’d recommend going to a specialist doctor if that’s what your gp is saying. Night sweats are a fairly certain symptom.

They probably won’t take blood tests either they usually go on symptoms.

misc2013

Finally got green lit for HRT. Wish me luck!

rainagain

Websites I've been reading, putting them here in case they help anyone... Main bits of info I'm taking from them is that everyone is different, and that weight training is a very good thing to start and then keep doing

https://vajenda.substack.com/archive?sort=new

https://www.btf-thyroid.org/thyroid-and-menopause-article

https://www.hormonewise.co.uk/hormone-facts/menopause

https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/menopause-wellness-hub/

This site is in German, I use browser translate function - I was curious if other countries offer same info https://wechseljahre-verstehen.de/wechseljahre/

herbalplants

There are a lot of women who hit the menapause age having issues with thyroid. I know good few. So yes something to check.

[Deleted User]

Some of the more unusual things I’m currently dealing with that I’m putting down to peri: lower back pain, dry elbows, heartburn which I’ve never had in my life, total fatigue as in I have to take daytime naps, brittle nails.

And here’s something I’m not sure about, seems extremely strange and I have no explanation for it so I’m blaming hormonal changes even if it not the cause 😂 over the last year my straight hair is becoming inexplicably curly 🤷‍♀️

rowantree18

Just to reassure people that it may not necessarily be hell for everybody -it's very individual.

I'm 55 and still have a regular period. I was always heavy but they are now really floods. I attempted ablation but unsuccessful as I've a retroverted uterus. I manage but tge first 2 days are tough.

At this age obviously I'm in perimenopause. I have mild symptoms. Occasionally wake up in a low grade sweat. Occasional mild irritability. Occasional mild digestive issues. I manage by: sea swimming all year (I'm not new to it, grew up at the sea and always swam, but it really helps). Sleep naked - I always did anyway. Loads of exercise, I trailrun a bit, cycle a bit, kayak a bit, yoga a bit and started strength/conditioning. It really, really helps. Manage my weight as best as I can, eat unprocessed food 90% of the time, keep alcohol limited as it just makes sweats worse. As much sex as I can get - amazing help. Take loads of time for myself whenever possible and no guilt. I'm not on hrt so far and feel fine.

Be wary of expensive supplements - check the label, most of them contain basic vitamins/minerals which you can buy cheaper and make the supplement up yourself with. I take kelp every day and find it great.

If you live near the sea and one of those saunas which are everywhere now - do it! You will feel the benefit, I swear. Finnish women who use sauna all their lives have statistically milder menopausal symptoms.

YellowLead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122443736#Comment_122443736

That happened to my hair too. Used to be poker straight and now it’s all wavy - permanently bushy! Like it’s humid even in winter.

Worst for me has been really bad acne all over my face for a year which has left scars. Never had acne in my life before.

Got fatigue too, though tbh not sure that’s peri with me as I’ve had that on and off through life.

Feel like there is more weight around my stomach even though I haven’t out on weight.

Then not peri but general aging - stiff knees!

[Deleted User]

Came here looking for this thread. This is a long one so apologies in advance. So I'm 48 and while I've been peri-menopausal for the last 4-5 years it's been at least 6 months since my last cycle and I think I can safely say that might have been the ONE :) I say this as I just recently started experiencing the hot flushes and while I've had ALL the other symptoms, I never suffered hot flushes until my cycle ceased.

I have sisters, older and younger and they are all on HRT. I remember years ago my younger sister who was about 42 at the time convincing me I must be suffering hot flushes as she couldn't bare it but I genuinely hadn't at that point. They all have private healthcare however so most likely a better relationship with their respective GP's and obtaining HRT or discussing these issues is I imagine easier for them. I'm on a medical card and haven't seen a GP in over 7 years. (long story)

I've always taken supplements and swim regularly, I've used magnesium powder and B vitamins religiously to manage energy levels, aches and pains and brain fog and find selenium + zinc necessary not just for hair and skin but for keeping things well oiled and regular in general. Krill oil finishes off my daily portion of pills. I started taking 1/4 aspirin daily for inflammation but my stomach is not well adapted to it and I added licorice root extract to my daily regimen to ease these issues and discovered that it has additional benefits for peri/menopausal symptoms. (licorice roots contain compounds that activate estrogen receptors to boost levels of the hormone in the body.)

So I started looking into vitamin products specifically designed to cater for all these issues and started using menopace by vitabiotics a week ago after reading reviews which suggest that it has benefits for women suffering hot flashes. (they were on special offer in H&B) The first two days I was Sick sick, the worst night sleep in a long time, migraine on waking and nauseous like morning sickness. Old symptoms like back ache and spasmodic sensations crept back in on top of the flashes and emotionally I was wrecked. I was about to give up on the third day when I caved and took some paracetamol and since then every symptom has quieted and lessened each day to where I can safely say the hot flashes are practically imperceptible. I'd say maybe an 80% reduction. My appetite seems to have resolved itself and I'm starting to rest better. It does feel like a natural alternative to HRT, it clearly is having an impact on my hormonal levels and while it took a bit of adjusting seems to be working very well for now.

Don't know if anyone else has any experience with it but thought it might help someone out there.

Daisy78

Anyone else here completely frustrated by the level of care provided by gp’s in relation to the perimenopause? I have attended several over the last five years, no apparent insight or knowledge, no appetite for coming up with an action plan/next steps when HRT doesnt work. But happy to take your money in exchange for a faux sympathetic nod of the head and it must be awful rhetoric. I have lost all respect for doctors at this stage.