Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Beaniehat on January 12, 2021, 12:54:32 PM

Title: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Beaniehat on January 12, 2021, 12:54:32 PM
Wondering what people's experiences are?
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Uptick on January 12, 2021, 12:57:36 PM
Hi Beaniehat, late 30's. Menopause at 50.5
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: CLKD on January 12, 2021, 01:39:35 PM
Late 30s when my periods waxed and waned ............ for 2/3 years B4 they stopped.  No symptoms after a few cold flushes after my bath, itchy insteps in the evenings and the necessity for Vaginal Atrophy regular treatment. 
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Wrensong on January 12, 2021, 02:09:24 PM
At age 44 a whole host of peri symptoms started & quickly ramped up to cause havoc, though looking back, some I had no idea could be due to hormonal decline had been ongoing since late 30s.  Final period @ 50.5.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: sheila99 on January 12, 2021, 02:15:31 PM
56. Hrt at 57. Latest 'proper' period at 60 (still 60, not sure if that will be the last one).
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Gilla999 on January 12, 2021, 04:27:34 PM
The first early symptoms (sky high estrogen) in my very late 30s and then the really debilitating symptoms when estrogen started to fluctuate around 40/41. Found it impossible to be taken seriously by a doctor though, even when hormone tests I paid for confirmed it.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Itwillpass on January 12, 2021, 06:40:18 PM
Just after my 44 birthday starting with achy joints, not long turned 46 & last 7 months had been hell on earth with a vast array of the 66 peri menopause symptoms 😕
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Evie606 on January 12, 2021, 07:07:23 PM
Hi Beaniehat,

Around 45/46 various peri symptoms crept in. I was 49 when the symptoms became unbearable and I tried HRT.

E  :)
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: AgathaC on January 12, 2021, 07:25:44 PM
I was just turned 44 when I was hit by severe anxiety, digestion issues and
breast tenderness/pains.  These three issues have stayed with me, and many other symptoms have been added as the years have gone by.  I am now almost 49 and still in perimenopause.  The past five years have certainly taken their toll and I am very much a shadow of my former self.  Anxiety is the worst symptom for me, general overthinking and constant worrying, and daily health anxiety.  I would like to wish everyone well, whatever stage of the menopause journey they are at.  I post rarely, but I am constantly and deeply grateful for the help and reassurance offered by the ladies here.  It has been a lifeline some days.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Sparkler on January 12, 2021, 07:48:32 PM
First symptoms around age 42.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Tootsey11 on January 12, 2021, 07:59:11 PM
34, although possibly 32.

Was waking at night at up to ten times a night. Cold flushes started, then the brain fog and not being able to find words and mixing others up. Memory was terrible. Gp thought I had dementia.

Last period at 43. Now on hrt at 45. Really needed it years ago but was fobbed off.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: befuddled on January 12, 2021, 10:55:30 PM
Hello Beaniehat

A lot of stuff started to happen in mid 40s, but I didn't associate it with hormones at the time.  Aches and pains, digestive issues, insomnia and low mood/irritability, subtle at first but gradually getting worse.  Until i was 52, Gp wouldn't accept it was hormone related as my periods were still regular, then hot flushes started, then at 54 all the psychological stuff (brain fog/mood swings/tearfulness), started hrt at 55.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Annie0710 on January 13, 2021, 08:48:52 AM
I had ovarian failure since a hysterectomy age 32 but hrt sorted that until I got to 45, sudden onset of different symptoms.  Bloods showed post meno at 48
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: corianne on January 13, 2021, 09:07:46 AM
44 when Peri symptoms first started and I started HRT the same time.
Symptoms got worse over the years, and I came off HRT about 6 months ago to see where my body was 'naturally' and because I felt HRT wasn't helping things.
48 now and as far as I know I'm still in Peri.
I wouldn't have believed how bad Peri menopause could be if I hadn't experienced it myself!  :-\
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Beaniehat on January 13, 2021, 09:28:10 AM
This is amazing.

Vast majority of responses seem to suggest that peri often starts late 30's or early 40's yet so so many of us have been to Drs with symptoms and it has not even been considered as an issue.

Thanks everyone.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: thegregs52 on January 13, 2021, 09:35:32 AM
Mid 40's - mood swings, hot flushes at night, trouble sleeping, painful periods, terribly itchy skin, fatigue, muscle aches
Went on HRT patches at around 50 and have been on them since and been in full menopause for 2 years.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: corianne on January 13, 2021, 09:36:48 AM
When I went to my GP at 44 with symptoms I now know to be Peri-menopause her first suggestion was to put me on Antidepressants - it was only when I mentioned hot flushes that she said it could be Peri.. 'hot flushes' seems to be the 'key' word(s) here - most GPs don't even think it could be Peri unless you have them! (When as we know there are many other symptoms besides them!)

This is amazing.

Vast majority of responses seem to suggest that peri often starts late 30's or early 40's yet so so many of us have been to Drs with symptoms and it has not even been considered as an issue.

Thanks everyone.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: befuddled on January 13, 2021, 09:52:07 AM
I can't remember where i copied this from, possibly it's somewhere on this forum.

"GPs were so reluctant to accept that the early symptoms could be associated with menopause if not accompanied by irregular periods.  Digestive issues like nausea and bloating, psychological issues like anxiety and mood swings, general issues like fatigue,  all seen as normal parts of middle age, but never why they are so common amongst women at a time when the hormone levels are beginning to change, period flow and duration are changing, but periods are still regular."

Exactly what happened to me 10 years ago.  Offered prescriptions for amitriptyline and gabapentin by gp.  The practice nurse knew better though, and she told me that a lot of women were telling the gp that they were having hot flushes even though they weren't, so they'd be allowed to try hrt.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Wrensong on January 13, 2021, 10:16:32 AM
Quote
This is amazing.

Vast majority of responses seem to suggest that peri often starts late 30's or early 40's yet so so many of us have been to Drs with symptoms and it has not even been considered as an issue.

I had classic symptoms at 44 & a middle aged female GP recognised them for what they were but when I had to see her male colleague (same age group) one day, he did not agree, saying dismissively & scornfully that I could not possibly be having symptoms at that age & that I had "years to go yet".  This was despite the fact I'd told him Mum was postmenopause at 46.  Frustrating & humiliating, but sadly, judging by other women's reports on here over the years, a pretty common experience.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: jillydoll on January 13, 2021, 10:34:07 AM
In my 40s. But I had a lot going on, with my parents, and didn't really notice.
Then when I was about 47/8, i started getting hot flushes, and maybe one period every 6 months.
I went 12 months without a period at all when I was 50. That's when I started going 'mad' as it were. An awful lot of symptoms hit me all at once, and I thought I'd cracked up.
Started HRT and after a long journey on that, I'm finally ok again. I'm 56 now.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: sheila99 on January 13, 2021, 06:15:52 PM
This is amazing.

Vast majority of responses seem to suggest that peri often starts late 30's or early 40's yet so so many of us have been to Drs with symptoms and it has not even been considered as an issue.

Thanks everyone.
I thinks it's ignorance of the symptoms rather than age. I saw 2 different GPs when I was 56 and 57 and they didn't consider it either.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Jaylow on January 13, 2021, 07:44:20 PM
44/45 and all symptoms arrived quite quickly. Female gp told me I was too young to start hrt. Eventually I got prescribed it, 48 now and thinking of coming off hrt to see where I’m at and because I’m not sure it’s solving more problems than it’s causing.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: corianne on January 13, 2021, 08:03:24 PM
Very similar to me  :)
Started HRT at 44 and for a couple of years I felt great on it, now I'm 48 and been off HRT the past few months as I was bleeding heavily and felt that HRT wasn't helping with that (amongst other things).
Can I ask why you're coming off HRT? (if it's not too personal) it sounds very similar to my own experiences.


44/45 and all symptoms arrived quite quickly. Female gp told me I was too young to start hrt. Eventually I got prescribed it, 48 now and thinking of coming off hrt to see where I’m at and because I’m not sure it’s solving more problems than it’s causing.
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Jaylow on January 13, 2021, 08:21:15 PM
Hi Corianne, a few reasons really. I’m also bleeding heavily, prolonged bleeds, awful period cramps, and I can’t say I feel all that good overall. Having said that, maybe I’d feel worse without hrt but I think I’m willing to give it a try now.
Sometimes I wonder if I need to up my dose rather than stop it completely, but I worry that the bleeding may then be even worse. I also hate the progesterone part, it really dries my eyes out and my skin itches all over with dryness.

How are you feeling since you came off it? Do you think you’ll stay off it now?
Also did you cut down first or just stop suddenly? Hope you don’t mind me asking these Qs
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Wragmop on January 22, 2021, 03:54:35 AM
34, although possibly 32.

Was waking at night at up to ten times a night. Cold flushes started, then the brain fog and not being able to find words and mixing others up. Memory was terrible. Gp thought I had dementia.

Last period at 43. Now on hrt at 45. Really needed it years ago but was fobbed off.

Has the brain fog, word problems and memory improved now?
Title: Re: How old were you when you started peri-menopause?
Post by: Tootsey11 on February 14, 2021, 10:59:43 PM
Wragmop, being honest, no. I'm on full hrt 3 months now and I think it's going to take a long time before I improve. Hot flushes and sleep is a bit better but my memory is terrible, and I feel bland. It takes much time now for me to compose this reply. I know what I want to say, I just struggle to get the words.