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[Maya81]

Hi all,

New here, 44, and hoping to find some answers or people going through similar!

Have suspected I'm in perimenopause for 9 months now. GP sent me for blood tests which came back normal but equally she told me 2 years ago that they are not always reliable. In addition, I am on the contraceptive pill which I have heard can also make the test unreliable? I am dealing with night sweats, hot flushes, skin changes, lack of motivation, unable to focus on anything new or challenging (making work a problem) and a low mood but I've lived with depression for 25 years and this feels very different to what I normally experience. I don't feel like me, like I'm a stranger in my body. Can anyone relate?

[CLKD]

Yep.     what has your GP suggested?

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress and to remember that we do have better days!

Which symptom would you like to ease first?  Also do be aware of Vaginal atrophy - 4warned is 4armed.  Read the threads and make notes.

R U taking medication for the depression?  What R your periods up to?  Mine waxed and waned for several years: normal for months then disappeared for months .......... I knew it was The Change so wasn't worried and luckily haven't had too much bother.

[VioletAquarius]

Yes, blood tests are unreliable and cannot be relied on, as your hormones fluctuate throughout the day, so will always come back with a different result.

But your symptoms do very much sound like peri.

[bombsh3ll]

What type of pill are you on?

A combined pill typically allows you to bypass perimenopause as it actually contains higher doses of estrogen than menopause hormone therapy, so I am guessing you are on a progestin only pill.

Regardless, if the product you are currently taking is not controlling these symptoms then there are plenty of other options and you do not need to wait until your blood tests scream menopause before getting appropriate treatment.

[Maya81]

My GP hasn't suggested anything, just that blood tests were normal. I track my mood because of existing depression but it feels impossible to tell if my low mood is due to "normal" depression or something else

Yep.     what has your GP suggested?

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress and to remember that we do have better days!

Which symptom would you like to ease first?  Also do be aware of Vaginal atrophy - 4warned is 4armed.  Read the threads and make notes.

R U taking medication for the depression?  What R your periods up to?  Mine waxed and waned for several years: normal for months then disappeared for months .......... I knew it was The Change so wasn't worried and luckily haven't had too much bother.

[Maya81]

I take cerazette (progesterone) as due to a history of DVT, I cant take estrogen. I started taking it for birth control rather than anything else but it sounds like it won't help anyway with it being progesterone only?

What type of pill are you on?

A combined pill typically allows you to bypass perimenopause as it actually contains higher doses of estrogen than menopause hormone therapy, so I am guessing you are on a progestin only pill.

Regardless, if the product you are currently taking is not controlling these symptoms then there are plenty of other options and you do not need to wait until your blood tests scream menopause before getting appropriate treatment.

[bombsh3ll]

That's right, cerazette will not help perimenopause symptoms.

A history of DVT means you shouldn't take ORAL estrogen unless you are anticoagulated.

You have multiple options regarding transdermal estrogen (patches or gel) which confer no thrombotic risk.

I would make another appointment with your GP and if they can't help, see a menopause specialist.

There's no point waiting as this will only get worse without treatment.

[CLKD]

Tnx bombsh311 - I agree, get an appt with either a GP or Nurse Practitioner and do ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic as there are waiting lists.  U can cancel the appt if you feel supported by your Practice.