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[Flossieteacake]

Hello everybody. I am 38 and believe I am going through the perimenopause. I have been on destrogel for 9 years and never had a bleed. I had very light, pale pink bleeding that lasted off and on for 2 weeks. My breasts are bigger and very sensitive. I have a stronger sense of smell. I need to pass water more often. I have mental illness but my mood is lower then usual. I have itchy skin. Anyway, I spoke with my doctor today who said I have just had a period. I explained I have never had periods on this pill and he said it can happen. He said due to my age and not having hot flushes he does not believe it is perimenopause. I told him a lot of women have it at my age and I have symptoms. He thinks I have just had a period and likely have a urine infection. He has said I need a urine test and smear. If all is fine and I still bleed I need an ultrasound. I know I am not a doctor but I really think I am going through the perimenopause. I mentioned my low mood and he said it is just because I have mental illness. Does anybody have any advice for me? I feel so dismissed and lost. I would really appreciate any advice on this. Thank you so much to anybody who responds.

[CLKD]

No wonder you feel dismissed!   

Why don't GPs listen 

Right - got that off my chest 

No woman is too young to be in peri!  Some girls have 1/2 periods then no more, a few have no bleeds at all.  Some find it useful to keep a mood/food/symptom diary.  Certainly when I took Tamoxifen my sense of smell increased hugely - not pleasant.  When I took The Pill, my sense of smell went, apart from garbage .......   

If you haven't bleed in 9 years he should send you for a scan.  In the meantime, ring and ask for a referral to a menopause clinic ! 

If you need to pass water more often, then it may well be the start of vaginal atrophy - we have threads here as well as about Bladder Issues.  It may simply B that the vaginal tissues are now thin which may cause bleeding.  This is a separate issue to HRT and can be eased by either 'vagifem' or 'ovestin'.  You don't need a blood test nor personal examination, ring and ask for treatment.  It mimics repeated urine infection-type symptoms really really well.  The test must be sent to a lab., it's no good doing a dip stick test in the surgery ;-).

There, bet you wish you hadn't asked  .......... mental illness aside, that is a very patronising attitude from your GP.  When the new one arrived in our village I impressed that he must never tell me it's 'something going round' because when I went to the Surgery, it was because it was 'me' not anyone else!   

[Flossieteacake]

No wonder you feel dismissed!   

Why don't GPs listen 

Right - got that off my chest 

No woman is too young to be in peri!  Some girls have 1/2 periods then no more, a few have no bleeds at all.  Some find it useful to keep a mood/food/symptom diary.  Certainly when I took Tamoxifen my sense of smell increased hugely - not pleasant.  When I took The Pill, my sense of smell went, apart from garbage .......   

If you haven't bleed in 9 years he should send you for a scan.  In the meantime, ring and ask for a referral to a menopause clinic ! 

If you need to pass water more often, then it may well be the start of vaginal atrophy - we have threads here as well as about Bladder Issues.  It may simply B that the vaginal tissues are now thin which may cause bleeding.  This is a separate issue to HRT and can be eased by either 'vagifem' or 'ovestin'.  You don't need a blood test nor personal examination, ring and ask for treatment.  It mimics repeated urine infection-type symptoms really really well.  The test must be sent to a lab., it's no good doing a dip stick test in the surgery ;-).

There, bet you wish you hadn't asked  .......... mental illness aside, that is a very patronising attitude from your GP.  When the new one arrived in our village I impressed that he must never tell me it's 'something going round' because when I went to the Surgery, it was because it was 'me' not anyone else!   

Thank you very much for your reply. You have given me a lot to think about.

[CLKD]

 .  make notes 

GPs still don't seem to be getting 'the message' about peri - most think it's not happening unless a lady complains of loss of periods and hot flushes   

Let us know how you get on!

[Flossieteacake]

.  make notes 

GPs still don't seem to be getting 'the message' about peri - most think it's not happening unless a lady complains of loss of periods and hot flushes   

Let us know how you get on!

To be honest, I am stuck because I cannot go out. My partner is collecting the test so I can send a urine sample but I am unable to have a smear or ultasound as I cannot go outside so I think I will just have to deal with this on my own. Thank you very much for replying. It means a lot to me.

[CLKD]

If you can't go out get the surgery to provide appropriate vaginal atrophy treatment: it won't hurt in the short term and may well ease those symptoms! 

[Flossieteacake]

If you can't go out get the surgery to provide appropriate vaginal atrophy treatment: it won't hurt in the short term and may well ease those symptoms!

Thank you very much. You are so helpful.

[CLKD]

I tries 2 B  .......... do read the appropriate threads.  Not much else 2 do on a rainy afternoon ;-)

[Cassie]

I started meno @ 38, its very possible, esp if you have symptoms such as hot flushes. My gynae could also not believe it and I insisted on a simple blood test which proved I was not going insane, some Drs just need to catch a wake up call, it happens and more regularly than we imagine.

[Flossieteacake]

I started meno @ 38, its very possible, esp if you have symptoms such as hot flushes. My gynae could also not believe it and I insisted on a simple blood test which proved I was not going insane, some Drs just need to catch a wake up call, it happens and more regularly than we imagine.

Thank you for your reply.

[Shannonplussed]

I started at that age as well and now at 44 I’m not sure I’ve ever truly had a hot flush. My main symptom at that age was night sweats. Later vaginal dryness/painful sex.

[CrispyChick]

I started at 41. Took 2 years and many many tests for all sorts, before doctors believed it could be hormonal.

Interestingly, you say you are desogesteral. I was on cerazette for years - no problems. Gp suggested I try pill to see if it helped my symptoms.  Whilst most of my symptoms did not get worse, or better, I found am immense deterioration in my moods... It felt cyclical. I wonder if putting more progesterone in our bodies amplifies any estrogen reduction... Just a thought.

[Flossieteacake]

I started at that age as well and now at 44 I’m not sure I’ve ever truly had a hot flush. My main symptom at that age was night sweats. Later vaginal dryness/painful sex.

Thank you for your reply. The doctor dismissed me as he said I have not had any hot flushes.

[Flossieteacake]

I started at 41. Took 2 years and many many tests for all sorts, before doctors believed it could be hormonal.

Interestingly, you say you are desogesteral. I was on cerazette for years - no problems. Gp suggested I try pill to see if it helped my symptoms.  Whilst most of my symptoms did not get worse, or better, I found am immense deterioration in my moods... It felt cyclical. I wonder if putting more progesterone in our bodies amplifies any estrogen reduction... Just a thought.

Thank you for your reply. That is very interesting. It is frustrating how many doctors refuse to believe us having perimenopause due to our age.

[CLKD]

Some believe - still  - that a woman can't be in menopause unless she complains of hot flushes.