Ladies - I just wanted to see what your experiences were if you started perimenopause early like me. I am 39, and this started at about 38. It's awful. IF you started early - how long did it take? Does earlier mean faster or longer in your case? Any experiences would be helpful so I have an idea of what I might be in for. I'd rather be prepared and not have something happen than surprised if it does. =) Currently my most bothersome symptoms are the hot/cold flashes or days and th back/sciatic/shoulder pain. My period started being insanely irregular - some cycles 20 days, some 40, then I skipped one month, then 4 months... this cycle has been about 45 days so far! I often feel like my period might be coming - cramps, sore boobs... then it goes away and no period. Then it eventually turns up. I am doctor diagnosed as perimenopausal, so this isn't an underlying condition or a self-diagnosis. I have another ultrasound coming up in February to check on some simple fibroids, but my one ovary is so tiny now it's clearly giving up on life lol. So anyway, any input would be helpful! =)
Hi Julee, I just turned 44 a few days ago. My symptoms hit me like a brick wall a few months ago (migraine aura, vision issues, cold flashes, anxiety, etc.).. But, in hindsight I really started around 37-38. That's when I first started getting menstrual migraines, rage, and wonky periods. For the past two years I have had periods every 21 days and they are very heavy with clots. I thought I might miss my first period last cycle, but it just came late and stayed two days longer (spotting). I have no idea where I am on this crazy journey. Good luck!
Thank you!
Yeah the anxiety for me is the worst symptom. When it's here, it's DEBILITATING. Then when it leaves, it's replaced by extreme irritability. Like, EXTREME. lol I think I'd rather be irritable, though, than the anxiety. That is absolutely suffocating.
Hi Julee, I am not through yet...but I also started around 38. Symptoms very bad at 40 when I stopped BC pill. My FSH showed post meno once my periods became irregular. My estrogen is near zero to normal. progesterone next to nothing. GERD, fatigue, heart palps, migraines, dizzies, insomnia, aches, pains and more. My longest time without a period is 57 days. Then, from 21-25 days and very light. My symptoms wax and wane. I am 41 now and currently dealing with migraines, dizziness, disequilibrium, fatigue, and a new one...night sweats (which could be because of my medication). I have been diagnosed perimenopause and vestibular migraine. I take meds for the vestibular migraine. Tried getting back on hormones, but it made my migraines worse. I have no predictions. All signs seem to be pointing to me being done by 43-45. I hope some ladies are still on here that went through early as I am curious too.
oh, I wanted to add to ...my mom had a fairly easy menopause at 51. However, my aunt went through early and had a harder time. See if you can gather evidence from other women in your family...it us not true that our menopause will mirror our mothers.
This sounds a lot like me. My most significant peri symptoms started when I was 43, although after reading the 'menopause and asthma' post, maybe earlier than that. My first big symptom was heart palpitations (skipping beats), and along the way I've experienced so many others: my chronic high blood pressure became worse, bouts of GERD, anxiety, tingling feet, wobbly legs, achy joints, minor night sweats, insomnia, random bruising. Seems like one symptoms resolves itself and something else comes along. I currently take meds for my HBP (that's nothing new) and a low dose SSRI to keep the anxiety at bay. My cycles are still pretty regular, but also only 21-25 days and I hardly bleed. I did skip a period back in the fall, and around that time, my insomnia was off the charts bad, so my GP sent me to have my FSH tested. It came back at 57, so she diagnosed me as perimenopausal. I will be seeing my GYN for my annual next month and I am going to ask if I can go for more thorough hormone testing, I'm very interested in how/if my FSH level has changed and what my other levels are.
I started peri in my late 30s and in February this year turn officially menopausal with no period for a whole year. Sad news is I will be 48 this year so it was around 9-10 years. Some were better than others so don't expect to be stuck in some hell because it's always changing. I developed Hashimitos over the peri time and that along with meno has been very aging on me.
Hi julee, TBH i dont think there is any rules re early or late start and how long peri lasts. My mum was early lasted 2 years and periods all ended at the age of 39. I am 48 been in peri 2 years but, the last few month periods are now missing more. I have had no hot flushes at all. My mum had worst hot flushes 6 years after having stopped her periods so it is all very unpredictable. xx
Hi tebrown, can i ask you about the random bruising thing. I keep getting random bruising and cannot remember hurting myself. What causes this ? could it be hormone related? xx
Hi Amanda, I have no idea what causes the random bruising. It's basically only on my legs. I'll just out of nowhere notice that I have bruises and have no idea where they came from/don't remember bumping into anything. I've gotten them from my ankles to almost my hip. Never anywhere else, just my legs. I also feel like my veins are much more noticeable now, but that might just be because it's January and I'm super pale LOL and paying more attention to all these little things that I may never have picked up on before.
Lou, I too have vestibular migraines. What are you taking for these. I too have these and they are debilitating.
hi julee iv just turned 46 i had hysterectomy at 39 but kept my ovaries iv just had bloods back saying iam peri iv had hot flushes since day 1 but after christmas woke up thinking i was a heart attack palpitations like mad sweating shacking feeling sick and pains down my arms it pasted after about an hour then kept coming back feel so shattered all the time dizzy most days stuffed sinuses head feels like its full of bees, feeling cold then hot, dry throat; IBS gone mad which iv had for over 20 years and the most painful boobs, forgetfulness, bursting into tears for no reason the list is endless.. iam now on my 4th wk off work DR has told me iv got severe menopausal anxiety didnt even know this could happen like most thought hot sweats and no sex drive was all i had to deal with,i wish , most days convince myself iam going to die with something, cant be bothered with anything and just feel weird all the time iam unable to take HRT as my mum had breast cancer so all hes offered is antidepressants which iv still got the script sat on my microwave as iam so reluctant to start taking as iv heard they can make you feel worse but iam not sure how long i can put up with this rubbish, more so when i read ladies put up with this for about 10 yrs so lets just hope all this passes quick and we all get back to normal,, big hugs and hope u feel better soon x
Hi! I am in the same boat! My peri started at about 38 and diagnosed a year ago at 42! For me it was a nightmare and my doc gave me hrt almost immediately when I asked for help! I am almost a year on hormones and feel normal again. I had really awful symptoms and was suicidal.
Hi Nettie, I am under the care of a otoneurotologist and am on nortriptyline since Nov, Also, Diet modification (no caffeine, msg, chocolate, etc) and Vitamins coq10, B2, omega3, vitD. Finding and controlling triggers as best as possible. Dr is titrating me up every 2-3 months until the migraines and dizziness is under control. Currently, when I do get a migraine, they are not 4 day long skull crackers! Having terrible night sweats now, which could be med related or just entering another phase of peri. Overall, having some more better days than not. Feel free to message me if I can help. Take care!
Lou, Thank you foe the info. The dizziness ans balance issues sue to the migraines scare me terribly. I need to get them managed. Did yours start in menopause or did something else trigger them?
I've had Hashimotos for about 15 years, so perhaps that's what helped push me into perimenopause so early. And yes, I feel like I've aged 10 years in the last 6 months.
It has been weird hearing a doc tell you you're no longer of "child-bearing age." I don't have kids, and have never wanted them, but I dunno... It just feels funny knowing it's not even on the table at this point.
Meh. Such is life. =) It happens whether we want it to or not!
Hi Nettie, ALL of my issues started in July 2017...I had gone off 20 years of Birth control pills the month prior. In prior years, I had occasional migraines. Within 6 months of stopping the pill, my periods went crazy, then, my migraines became chronic and painful. Then, the fatigue, off balance, neck pain, tinnitus, pressure in head, my would head hurt daily.
My otoneuro told me he sees a lot of women in peri with vestibular migraine. It is not lack of estrogen or progesterone necessarily, but the erratic ups and downs. Example, my FSH has been post meno several times, My estrogen will be normal, then tank to practically zero. Also, HRT or Birth control pills might make things better for some...worse for others. I tried going back on a low dose BC pill, and my migraines sky rocketed...so I stopped them. I decided to treat the migraines vs hormones, because I do not want to come off something again and deal with this all over again. Some women get migraines post meno too.
He said migraines will ease for many women when they are post meno...I hope I am one of those women. Good luck to you...please find a dr to help you. I was so bad, I had to close my business last year. I am not 100% yet, but a little better. I just got diagnosed after over a year of suffering.
Yeh, I agree that is feels so odd not being able to conceive when I don't even want to. It feels like this huge part of me is missing and I've become completely invisible to society. Well yes, my energy, youthful clear skin, vibrant shiny hair, toned body have all gone missing. Hah! It never used to bother me but now I look at young 20-30 somethings with envy because I feel so decrepit at 48!
hi everyone my periods stopped age 39 im now 48 and the last 2 years have been hell. Pains and aches migraines aura heart palpitations and worst of all the anxiety. Im hoping every day I wake up ill feel better but no such luck yet. Wishing you all health and happiness x
Wow, Sandra. Your symptoms are that strong 9 years after menopause?! That makes me so sad. My introduction to perimenopause started with migraine aura (scary). Then, the palpitations and anxiety. sigh