Peri menopause

Hi. I can sympathise with the "morning sickness" I have had that since I started peri menopause and have quite a lot of other symptoms. It was hard to live with at first but have developed coping strategies. Weirdly coffee helps a lot. I make sure I allow time for a cup each morning.

Yes, welcome to the menopause!! My doctor always said it wasn’t worth doing hormone tests, because they fluctuate all the time. I know some women sail through this, but I’ve never met one. You are quite young still, but it’s not impossible. I’m 60 now and really got going three years ago, but there were little things happening back to about 2012, which I now know was the peri menopause in its early stages. I kept a diary for a year, which was really helpful, because although you think you have so many things wrong with you, when you read back, there were probably a handful of symptoms that dominated. Mine were, and still are mornings/ travel type sickness, aches and pains, and anxiety and depression, which I have NEVER had before. The funny thing is, my very first post on mumsnet/ gransnet, was the same as yours, except I was focused on asking if anyone else has this sickness, and now here you are!! You are definitely not dreaming, oh if that were true and all we had to do is wake up!! If you feel like someone took your body in the night and left you with this annoying new one, you’re in menopause. I didn’t want to take HRT, I really don’t see the point, you’ve got to go through it eventually, and I didn’t like the thought of messing with the hormones any more than they are already. It’s a natural thing. I also didn’t find supplements worked either, so I can’t help you there. I always felt if I did feel better on them, I probably would have done anyway. I think you’re better off if you can ride through it, but if it gets too bumpy, do go and get advice. There’s lots of help on line, and our Sainsbury’s gives the Menopause magazine for free, which comes out quarterly. I’m sure I’m coming out now, so there is light. Don’t forget, it’s natural, just exercise as much as you can and eat healthily. All the best.

I also joined GN looking to see if my symptoms, mainly the "morning sickness" were menopause related.

Hello pops1976. Yes it sounds just like perimenopause. I have also had similar symptoms that have escalated in the last 3 months. If I think back I had been having night sweats fir about 2 or more years, and had slowly become more and more anxious. Then 3 months ago I had horrible indigestion, without heartburn, that just f we lf like I was really nauseous. Around this time I had started to notice I was bloated almost all of the time, instead of just the week before my period, and then didn't have a period for 2-3 months. Then, I started to gave panic attacks, and I just seemed to be crying all of the time. I knew that in this all had to be linked to my hormones. I had a blood test butbit came back clear. I did tonnes and tonnes of research around hormones, and found out that as blood test won't tell you anything. Your hormones fluctuate so often and so quickly. My doctors had been absolutely no help. I was given a leaflet about menopause and told that I needed to stop being so anxious. I eventually demanded to see a women Dr, who was great. She said I didn't need to suffer, and felt I was at a point where I should think about hrt. She said dhd had heard the same story so often. I took the option straight away. I felt do awful. I opted for oral treatment initially. I was m only 6 weeks in, and after having done more research found that patches are better for people with digestive problems. I have to finish this cycle - 2 more weeks, then start ygd patches. So far I'm still having ups and downs. I'm less anxious and the debilitating fatigue is lifting, as has the brain fog. The digestion problems are up and down. My Dr said that we will keep working on the medication until we get it right. So I feel there is some light at ygd end of the this long, dark tunnel. See your Dr and talk about hrt options. At least you can make choices. Also research Dr Louise Newson. She is a specialist and her website has tonnes of really excellent information. Good luck. It will get better.

Thank you ladies for all your responses. I am 100% certain now it’s peri menopause. I’m only 43 which is on the younger spectrum but on a positive I could have all this done and dusted by 55 (wishful thinking). It’s going to be one hell of a ride. I’m glad you ladies helped put my mind at rest as I was seriously thinking I was going insane and becoming a hypochondriac. The joys of being a woman aye, I’ll take the advice and try to ride through it but I guess if it gets too much then I may have to consider hrt. Thank you again your comments have really helped x

1. There is no conclusive blood test for peri menopause as they fluctuate so much during that time

2. Yes there are benefits to getting it "over with" but just be aware of the risks so you can prevent them: take a GOOD vit D suppliment year round to protect your bones!

HRT wise, Im about yr3 I think of peri menopause and have developed coping mechanisms for most of my issues. Not all.

But the "morning sickness" I manage by adjusting my routine. Getting to work early enough to have a sit and a cuppa before getting going. Never going to work on an empty stomach (I didnt used to be a morning person) etc.

I need A LOT more rest. It is hard to get enough as my sleep quality has reduced. I dont sleep as deeply. I used to be able to get a good deep sleep but now the slightest discomfort prevents that so need to make sure my mattress and pillow is spot on. That the room temperature is spot on. Am a lot more "stimuli sensitive" so need nice comfy sleepwear.

I do plan to take HRT if I need to but its such early days and I may not hit "full" menopause for years so I will try to cope while I can.

Hitting peri early does not mean you will have early menopause! Your hormones start changing long before actual menopause. Some of us have a long "wind down" period.

Oh and you can get pregnant during peri so dont get lax with contraception

Just another quick point, I think I started getting symptoms, changes to periods, night sweats, sleeping problems, and anxiousness around 43. I’m only 46 now and as I mentioned it’s the last 3 months that it’s escalated. Perimenopause can start anywhere from late 30s to early 50s and beyond. HRT isn’t for everyone, and I think I probably could have managed the other symptoms, but the mood swings, anxiousness, heightened by the sleeplessness really had become debilitating, and dark. Hopefully, now I am 7weeks in, and feeling slightly better, the only way is up.