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[Natters19]

Hi ladies

A little bit about me...

I'm 48 (very nearly 49). Been told I'm peri-menopausal, although my periods are still fairly regular (although I've had a few 'blips') usually extremely heavy on my second day, which really drains me - night time hot flushes are just bearable at the mo & quite tearful over nothing     My main problem is, I've started getting terrible migraines, usually during my periods, usually lasting a couple of days and often end up being sick with them    I've spoken to my doc this morning and she has prescribed me with something for the migraines (not sure what as I haven't collected the prescription yet).

I've got a doctors appointment on Monday to discuss various options.  I don't really know much about HRT and have always thought I'd rather try to manage without?  Is HRT a necessity?  Will things get much worse? How long will it go on for?  Aargh... I feel like I've so many questions!!

Any advice extremely welcome...

Xx

[coldethyl]

 Can empathise with all of that . My migraines have kicked off big time since hitting the latter stages of the peri. I think the hot flushes and general hormonal upheaval just trigger them more and read recently that 45% of women will see increase in frequency. I always feel on verge of one these days. Advice used to be that HRT was contraindicated with women who suffer migraine with aura but recent evidence suggests no increased risk of stroke so it is something to consider. Other things would be a preventative medicine like Sanomigran or betablockers  or a Triptan which can be used to abort an attack.
How long it will last is like asking how long a piece of string is. the average age for menopause in UK is 51 though the peri stage can start years before that- as a guide the STRAW research suggests that once periods become irregular and you've had a gap of > 60 days between bleeds, that menopause is on average 1-3 yrs away, though some women just seem to stop.
If things are manageable at the minute, it may be that you try stuff like mindfulness meditation, improved lower carb diet and stuff like that to help you cope with the hormonal swings. X

[Natters19]

Thank you... I do feel determined to try and manage without medication for as long as I can, but I'll see what the doc has to say on Monday.

Hope I don't appear dim, but how do you know you are in the latter stages of peri?  I was told I was probably peri menopausal about 18-24 months ago, but it's only recently that I've started to struggle (mainly the migraines).

I'm so pleased my doc mentioned this website.  I honestly thought I was alone in all this!!

Xx

[coldethyl]

If you google STRAW menopause lots of stuff comes up about the research into the stages of menopause. The latter stages of peri are described as being the time when vasomotor symptoms appear or increase so more night sweats and day flashes along with periods of no menstruation in excess of sixty days between bleeds.
I found that an increase in hot flashes occurred at same time as I went 10 weeks then 7 between bleeds, having already had shorter cycles with longer and erratic bleeding. Also a flooding episode is said to be indicative of entering the latter stages of peri.
Keep reading as you are not alone xx

[Hurdity]

Hi Natters

 

As coldethyl says - if your periods are few and far between then you are in the later stages of peri - but women still vary in how long this stage is - going by reports of women here who have gone of 11 months without a period only for them to start again even if sporadically!

Re the migraines - I started getting these ( classic type - not aura) when I was in the late stages of periods ( ie before peri-menopause) and my pms was much worse - this type of migraine is definitely not a contra-indication for HRT and in fact they may even improve with HRT. I'm pretty sure mine were due to the progesterone withdrawal stage just before a period as I continued to get them on cyclical HRT. I have never taken any special medication for mine but fortunately have never been sick with them al though have experienced nausea. Mine always last 3 days from waking in the early hours on the first day - two more nights follow when the headache wakes me as the painkillers ( Ibuprofen or paracetamol) wear off.

HRT is not a necessity but depending on the age at which you are likely to reach menopause - it is strongly advised for early menopausers. Also depending on your symptoms vastly improves the quality of life for many and can help protect heart and bones, and give you more energy while you are still young enough to enjoy life!

It is sometimes hit and miss if you are too early in peri because of your own hormonal fluctuations but can be worth a try - some are recommended to try the birth control pill at this stage to regulate their cycle - there is a fairly new one called Qlaira which is gentler than the old type and contains estradiol - the same as our own oestrogen, not the strong synthetic ones.

Good luck with the doc (you may have already been?) and let us know how you get on.

Hurdity x