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[PeriPeri]

Hi all,

Around my late 30s I started to get awful anxiety for no reason at all. I could feel the adrenaline surging through me and it was horrible. I suspect that was the start of peri. My periods started to change from 28 days like clockwork down to 21 then back up to 35 days. I was on the combined pill at the time but was changed to progesterone only which stopped my periods entirely.

Fast forward and I’m now 44 and for the past 2 years in particular I’ve had all kinds of symptoms - disturbed sleep, night sweats, breast pain, dry skin, vaginal dryness and itching, still have anxiety, brain fog and problems concentrating, so all the signs were there.

Im 44 and my mum went into menopause at 45. I had a blood test recently and was told that I’m in menopause as my FSH was 51. Apparently anything over 30 indicates menopause.

The doc wants me to have another blood test and she is going to test some other things (?) but then will review with me and discuss my options.

The worst symptoms are the anxiety, and the dryness/itching. I also feel at times like I’m developing early dementia as sometimes I can’t find the word I’m looking for or can’t remember more than 3 items if I go into a shop! I also lose concentration at times and zone out when someone is talking to me.

Don’t know if you have any advice, I just wanted to share and to see if anyone can relate.

I guess I’m classed as early menopause, it’s a strange feeling and although I expected it I’m not sure how I feel. Not that there’s a thing I can do about it! 

[Flossieteacake]

Hello peri peri. I can relate to the symptoms you describe. Before I started HRT I had the worst itching imaginable. Every single part of me would itch. It is a sign of low oestrogen. I started peri in my late 30s too so you are not alone. HRT can help with all the symptoms you describe.

The vaginal dryness is known as vaginal atrophy. This is when the vagina lacks oestrogen and localised oestrogen will help you there. You may want to get a vaginal moisturiser too such as Yes VM.


I can understand how overwhelming it feels. I did not even know what peri was and had no idea what to expect from menopause but luckily for us this forum is here. You will find lots of support on here and you never need feel alone.

[PeriPeri]

Thank you, I lost my mum 3 years ago and although I know of her experience how I would love to talk to her now.

I went to the docs in my late 30s and found them very dismissive as they said I was too young for any of this. Only now I’ve had the blood test result do I feel like I’ve been taken seriously. I am seeing a different doctor now so hopefully that will help.

Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll look into it.

[CLKD]

Sadly GPs still think that a loss of periods along with hot flushes are The Signs of Menopause 

They should be aware that no one is too young!  Peri-menopause are the years leading up to the final period = menopause.  Peri - when we realise that symptoms are becoming bothersome.

Some find that keeping a mood/symptom/food diary of use.  The daisy website is for ladies with 'early' menopause so you might find help there too.

As already suggested, get some treatment for the vaginal atrophy which can mimic repeated urine infection-type symptoms.  Due to lack of oestrogen the body may become dry: inside and out; skin, scalp, nostrils, dip in the ears, vagina, anus, legs ........ as well as muscles maybe lax = aches and pains.  All natural but sometimes symptoms can become over whelming.

Let us know how you get on.  We have a thread: "doing stupid things": you will fit right in ;-) 

[PeriPeri]

Thank you very much, we do have some rubbish to deal with as women don’t we!

I would definitely fit into that thread, I’ll have a look for it.