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[Beebee33]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone can help me? I'm 34 and I've recently been diagnosed as going through the premature menopause. As you can imagine it's quite devastating. For the two years previous to my diagnosis my GP's told me I was depressed ect, gave me medication after medication. Now I have the right diagnosis, I'm struggling with my symptoms. The hot flushes are horrendous, my mood swings and my total none existent sex life. Not only this, I'm also suffering with crippling migraines which make me violently sick, I'm struggling to sleep and am very snappy with my family. My GP is worried about medications, as I have problems with my hormones anyway. I would appreciate any advice anyone could give me? I just want to feel normal again, and not feel like I've 5 heads,  and a 90 year old body. thank you.

[honorsmum]

Poor you - what a horrible shock. 

I'm new to all this, and new to the forum this week but it has already proved to be a godsend.
I am 45 and believe I am going through perimenopause, but my GP is trying to fob me off with a diagnosis of anxiety. I don't believe the GP s at my surgery have any in-depth knowledge of peri/menopause, or any real interest in it, so I used the "find a specialist" search on this site to make an appointment with someone who is meant to be fantastic.
Might be worth you doing the same - or maybe finding a menopause clinic locally to give you support and advice.
Also, I believe there is a specific organisation to support women going through premature menopause - Daisy something? You might find it in the links at the top of the page.

[CLKD]

There are several links to support groups in 'premature menopause', orange box left of screen.  Have a browse and make notes!  You will need some form of HRT to protect bones and heart, the info should be on the Daisy network site.

[BrightLight]

Hello Bee Bee - I am sorry you have had this shock, it can be overwhelming.

I am also new here, my GP telephoned me last Friday to say I was postmenopausal!  I had gone into the surgery because of a 'funny period' that wasn't quite right.   A blood test later and I am now piecing together the past year or so where I have been feeling not myself, very anxious, unfocussed as well as various other things.  The GP's eyes always glazed over when I arrived, couldn't explain my symptoms, didn't want to run blood tests and never mentioned my hormones because my cycles were still regular.  I am 44.  It was a locum doctor that suggested we test hormones.

It was a shock and I am sure you feel this way too - I won't lie, I have had a horrible week of over thinking, fear and feeling ignorant and annoyed as well as all sorts of new symptoms.  It's like my life has been taken over with this abrupt announcement and ensuing sickness - I know it isn't an illness but the speed and intensity for me feels quite like it.

I have an appointment to repeat the blood tests and talk about HRT in a few weeks which gives me time to calm down and get a grip of what is going on.

Do you have any sort of strategies for calming yourself, breathing or distraction when you get the hot flushes?  I had some overheating episodes last year and eventually learnt not to react except to fan myself or spray myself with water.  It seemed to help - if only to give me the sense I was doing something about it.

Migraines are horrible, are these new for you?  I haven't had any so don't have any suggestions.

I will say that if you have suddenly gone into menopause with all these symptoms they may calm down a bit after the initial reaction to the drop in hormones.

[lancashirelass]

You might want to have at daisy network it is specifically for premature meno ladies natural or surgical.

[Beebee33]

Wow thanks for the response everyone. I'm just finding it difficult to cope with everything. I have started to change things like my diet and joined the gym, (even though I'm very slim). The hot flushes are quiet embarrassing, they just happen when they want. It's nice to hear from other people experiencing the same thing. I feel sorry for my partner because I'm up and down all the time. Is there anything I can take (herbal) that can help? Thanks again.

[Cassie]

Sorry to hear this...but its not uncommon...I too went through it @ 38....pls get onto HRT asap, you are doing yourself an injustice by trying herbs etc...I too went down that path, until you are 50, you are only replacing what your body can no longer make, ie oestrogen and progesterone....your body needs those hormones as does your heart and bones...herbs will not help. I strongly recommend bio identical HRT try the gel or patches and the Utrogestan I think you will feel like a new person, I would seek a specialist in this field as 15 yrs without hormones is not going to do you any good whatsoever. All the best 

[Briony]

Sorry to hear this...but its not uncommon...I too went through it @ 38....pls get onto HRT asap, you are doing yourself an injustice by trying herbs etc...I too went down that path, until you are 50, you are only replacing what your body can no longer make, ie oestrogen and progesterone....your body needs those hormones as does your heart and bones...herbs will not help. I strongly recommend bio identical HRT try the gel or patches and the Utrogestan I think you will feel like a new person, I would seek a specialist in this field as 15 yrs without hormones is not going to do you any good whatsoever. All the best 

As another one experiencing an early menopause, I fully endorse the advice Cassie has given you. I am a migraine and nausea sufferer too, and have to say, the HRT has made them no worse - and possibly slightly better. At our age, the risks of not taking HRT far outweigh the risks of taking it. Think of it as a deficiency and treat it in the same way you would any other deficiency - replace what's missing.

Hope you get some relief and peace of mind soon,

Good luck x

[CLKD]

If herbal remedies worked they would be available on the NHS!
It is important to find a Consultant or memo-clinic to get the correct HRT to protect bones and heart [did I say that already  ] ……. keep posting!

[Dorothy]

Wow, BeeBee, what a shock for you - I found it scary enough starting at 39!  Like you, I've made some diet and exercise changes and found it really helped as it made me feel a bit more in control of my life again and was something positive I could do!

It's easier said than done, but if you can, try not to be embarrassed about the hot flushes.  I've decided to treat them as a normal part of what my body is doing - I don't get embarrassed when I sneeze, cough, blink, swallow or eat, so why get embarrassed when I turn red?  The thing I've found hardest is when people joke about it and say 'oh, you're too young for that ha, ha.'  I've taken to looking them straight in the eye and saying 'no, it can happen to some women my age and sadly I am one of them'...which usually shuts them up as well as hopefully making them more aware and maybe less likely to say the same thing to someone else. 

[Hurdity]

Hi Beebee ... and as the others have said - so sorry to hear you are going through this so young. I agree with all their comments - you must have HRT to protect bones and heart and your future health - this is vital. Great that you are also changing your diet and taking more exercise - important to cut down salt, alcohol and smoking too!

There is a huge amount of information on this site ( left hand menu) so do read up as much as you can.

Have you always had migraines? I only started getting them (but never actually make me sick) in peri-menopause ( although I didn't know it at the time!) so this is quite common. Therefore HRT may well help in this respect. Also if you have had them for some time and in any case - transdermal HRT (patches or gel) is recommended as the oestrogen gets straight into the system at the right dose.

As Cassie says the bio-identical (ie same hormone structure that our bodies make) oestrogen and progesterone are the best.

Yes - ask to be referred to a specialist if you can!

Good luck and hope we can help you further.

CLKD - yes you did but no harm repeating it 

BrightLight - your doctor cannot possibly say you are post-menopausal purely on the basis of FSH, until you have been without a period for 12 months - we can discuss this on your thread a bit more if you want! This is what Dr Currie has to say about it on this site:

...you can have a blood test to measure the level, however the level depends on the phase of the cycle and can vary by a factor of 10-30 or more during the menstrual cycle. If having a blood level measured, the blood sample should be taken on the 3rd to 5th day of a period. A normal level does not exclude early menopausal transition and a raised level does not exclude continuing ovarian function. One raised level should therefore not be relied upon as a reason to stop using contraception since egg release can still occur late in the menopausal transition.

FSH level can be temporarily raised after stopping the oral contraceptive pill or depot progestogens, during breast feeding and with some medicines such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/diagnose.php

Hurdity x

[BrightLight]

BrightLight - your doctor cannot possibly say you are post-menopausal purely on the basis of FSH, until you have been without a period for 12 months - we can discuss this on your thread a bit more if you want!

Hurdity x

Thank you for the reminder Hurdity - I know that 2 tests are necessary and 12 months need to pass and anything could change - though I now accept that an FSH of 80 and the sure signs of post menopausal estrogen deficiency are probably an indication things won't get going again..............but maybe I am doing that to protect myself..........I have the second blood test booked for 3 weeks time and seeing a new Private GP on Tuesday as she wants to make sure of the diagnosis and that there isn't another reason - small chance, but best to check she said 

[Beebee33]

Hi again, I've had all the relevant tests done, and it's defiantly the menopause. I've been suffering since I was 32. I was on progesterone only pills for over ten years as I have a hormone inbalence and have done since I was a child, I started my periods at 9, so I was a young starter too. I was worried about taking hrt due to the side effects, but reading all your comments has made my mind up for me as for the migraines I've had a MRI and it showed nothing sinister, doctor said it may be all the changes my body is going through, and gave me amatripline?(not sure on spelling) seems to ease a little. I've got to see my GP next week, so I'm going armed with all my info from you lovely bunch of people. thank you all very much.xx

[Cassie]

Brightlight if I were you, I would also consider HRT even if its until you are 50, as 44 is still considered early for meno to be happening, all the best and glad that you have decided Beebee to give the HRT a try, push for one of the more "friendly" ones and do not let them fobb you off x

[CP]

Hi,

I have been posting a couple of things on here in the last week due to fighting to get myself heard at the GP's. It was my third attempt this week after two visits last year to speak to a GP about feeling Pre-menopausal, i just want a doctor to admit this exists before the average age and have a talk about it with me.
My Nan had her menopause by the time she turned 40 and my Mum was on HRT at 40 and suffering with all the symptoms. This is the only reason i ever get listened to seriously about this.
I am 39 and turn 40 in August, i have been suffering with various symptoms for at least a couple of years now and went back this week as i had a couple of new symptoms that were worrying me.
Anyone that read my post will know i had a rude doctor who would not even look at the list i took with me and told me the usual facts about pre menopause and menopause as though i didn't already know about it.
The good thing was i am booked in for blood tests next week and had a urine sample but it is only because a few of the things i managed to say in my short appointment made her concerned it could be other things. I still came home feeling very low and stupid and burst into tears the minute i walked in.
All the GP's i have seen mention this forum site, i was recommended it by the first GP i ever saw about this. I am so surprised they know and recommend a forum site but find it so hard to believe women about this subject, how can they advice women to come on here if they don't take it seriously?
Anyway, i'll see what happens, but keep on this forum site, everyone is very helpful and you can get things off your chest, it makes me feel better coming on here.
We all feel we have many heads and i certainly feel i don't know who i am some days as i hate the moods and feelings i get some days, it is a rollercoaster.
x