Perimenopause - Mumsnet & Gransnet share the knowledge

MargaretLovedTom on Mumsnet asks:

"I'm coming up to 42 and believe I'm perimenopausal. I've experienced changes in my cycle, usually periods coming more frequently but then my last period was at 29 days confused; periods are often heavier; heart palpitations; finding it harder to shift excess weight and now I've got quite severe pain in the joints of my hands and fingers.

Did anyone else experience the joint pain, and could anyone recommend any supplements to take to help with perimenopausal syptoms?

TIA".

DrankSangriaInThePark from Mumsnet asks:

"Like Margot has asked, I'd also like to know if any supplements would be beneficial. Just generally. HRT scares me, and I will do anything before going down that route.

I am 48, haven't had a period since December, and realised a few months ago, that actually, no, it wasn't "a bit hot in here". It was me.

I've always wanted to hit random people on the head with shovels though, so that element of my personality hasn't changed.

Bigtillymint from Mumsnet asks:

"I have also been perimenopausal for a few years - maybe since I was about 45/44. I am now 49 and have been on HRT for about 3 years. It has helped the mood-swings, night-sweats and flooding enormously.

What I want to know is, how will I know when I am through the menopause if I am still on HRT? I currently have very light periods - will they stop whilst I am still taking it?"

Thanks so much janerowena it's such a big and daunting time for many women - and often not talked about very often either so this all helps x

Weebarra from Mumsnet

"I have started the menopause at 36 due to chemo. Because of my breast cancer I won't be able to take HRT - is there anything else which will calm down my hot flushes and night sweats?"

Mercibucket from Mumsnet

"I wish we did a more thorough test for peri menopause as that time of life also often coincides with the start of hypothyroidism
Margot have you had a thyroid test yet?

Symptoms i had for hypothyroidism were

Irregular periods
Changes in periods - heavier/lighter
Hot flushes at night
Terrible pmt
Losing hair/thinning hair
Tiredness (eventually knackeredness)
Joint pain
Muscle pain
Weight gain/changes in weight

I thought it might be perimenopause. Should have gone to GP to confirm. Didnt. Took ages to diagnose."

ouryve from Mumsnet

"This thread is well timed, as I'd been considering asking to have my thyroid hormone levels checked. I've been pretty sure I'm perimenopausal for a while, as I'm older than my mum was when her periods stopped completely. Recently, though I've had constant problems with the skin splitting on my hands and I now have keratosis piliaris on my forearms. I'm not losing the hair on my head, but I have lost a lot of the hair off my gorilla arms, where the skin is rough and bumpy. All that makes me suspicious that my thyroid hormone levels might be on the low side".

janerowena

Your direct link to mumsnet doesn't work for me.

The link should work now - Mumsnet had to restart their site earlier.

Here's the link to the Mumsnet thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/2087420-Come-and-talk-to-us-and-Gransnetters-about-the-perimenopause

devilsgirl101 would like to ask...

"Hello I'm 34 not had a period for 7 months hot sweats are killing me don't sleep I'm irritable and snappy everyone keeps telling me I'm too young but all the women in my family seems to have entered the change early help advice welcomed I feel like I'm going insane trying to convince my GP."

PurpleAlert from Mumsnet* asks...

"I am 49. Haven't had a period for a year (bliss- they were horrid!)
They started to go a bit wonky about 4 years ago- longer heavy ones then a few lighter ones- longer time between them. Stop start etc.

I take soya flavins and sage leaf which mostly keeps the hot flushes at bay. Night sweats come and go but it's the insomnia and dogged tiredness which is getting me at the moment... and I am soooo achey. I have mild fibro and it seems to have got worse recently.

Libido has vanished and I would like to get it back- any one got any ideas."

KristinaM from Mumsnet asks...

"I'm 52 and still have regular periods too. Sigh

No other signs of anything that I can identify as peri menopausal.

I've always been grumpy so no difference there either

Should I worry ?"

Meglet from Mumsnet asks...

"So thinning body hair might be a sign of the peri-menopause? I've been waxing my fuzzy legs for 25yrs without any of the let up you're meant to get with waxing. Except in the last year, it has got finer and more sparse. I might even buy a skirt!

This coincides with raging mood swings, palpitations, couple of hot flushes, bad sleep, breast pain, spots and aches and pains. The GP gave me a blood test last year (I was 39) and said I was fine. I really don't feel fine sad. I had a hysterectomy 5yrs ago so I have no idea of my cycle any more, my body feels totally out of control and I can't stand it."

Please do pop over if you can help

Thank you for answering these, GadaboutGran and Oldgreymare Change is scary when you don't know what's happening, so the Mumsnetters are incredibly grateful for all help. We'll pass these on

Thank you, Jess