Search perimenopause and menopause experiences

I have been struggling with bladder issues for about a year. The hot flushes started later and the brain fog was a recent happy addition!. I started around the age of 47. The periods before were so regular with the contraceptive pill so it was difficult to determine that I was actually having peri menopausal symptoms. My gyno did not want to treat me as I hadn’t stopped my periods yet. I was lucky to persist and visited a different gynecologist and feel instantly happier taking HRT.

Started symptoms around age 45 joint pain and low mood. Only when I came off it because I didn’t think it helped at 47 did I realise how much it was helping. I am now going to trial going back on it on a low dose. The worse symptoms have been anxiety, sleep disturbances, low mood, vertigo, brain fog and not wanting to drive which is very common apparently. Also since coming off hrt have started with migraines.

Aged 43 had full hysterectomy so went into medical menopause

Found vaginal issues my main problem Find it depressing

My periods were always 99% bang on 28 days but then i started to notice my periods getting shorter in my mid 40s by 48 they were often as short as 19-21 days. I became not quite anemic, tired, began to wake in the night, get hot sweats in the night, large doses of sugar or any alcohol causes very bad headaches and visual disturbances, and then i began to start to get quite sad at times. I have a history of suicidal thoughts and felt it best to seek help. I started hrt. The oestrogen was great and I worked up to 3 pumps which took all but my alcohol symptoms away. But I couldn't hack the progesterone it caused sadness again. So I stopped taking it but at my review the doctor insisted I take it due to the risk of cancer but I broke out in a rash from neck to knees and had to stop. So I am not allowed to take the oestrogen any more. So I have upped my excercise to help me sleep, I take iron and magnesium to help with blood loss as periods have returned to 3 weekly. And I have started Jerms 2 months ago. I am 4 periods clear of the oestrogen which is still early days but so far I have no hot sweats, disturbed sleep or suicidal thoughts.

Perimenopause symptoms began at 38 (I have PMDD) and had been on HRT as part of the treatment plan for 2 years. They eased my symptoms but they developed into perimenopause which led to moving onto GNRH analog injections.

I started perimenopause around the age of 48, with symptoms that seemed to be on a cycle- hot flushes then insomnia then irritability etc. GP was open to prescribing HRT. Tried various patches etc but wanted the most body identical solution so settled on evorel and utrogestan. I did have issues with the patches sticking and during the supply issues ended up trying estradot by accident which are much smaller and stick better and I feel I absorb better on these. They definitely more than take the edge off the symptoms and my quality of life is much better. However for my mental health, starting running a year ago has made a huge positive difference.

Started perimenopause around age 50 - mainly hot flushes. Tried herbal remedies, didn’t use hrt until around 56, wish I’d used it earlier. Had very bad vsginal dryness & itching which hrt helped

I started my menstrual cycle at the age of 11, and up until I was 27 years of age it had always been regular. I started noticing that I was becoming irregular, missing months here and there. I went to my GP who carried out a series of blood test. One of which was the FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) blood test. The result reading's were high and the doctor stated she would repeat them in two weeks which she did. This time the results weren't high and it had come down. She sent me away and told me that there wasn't anything to worry about and to keep an eye on my iron levels. During this time I'm suffering with very bad anxiety but I couldn't pin point it. I thought it may have been triggered from a bad flight I had taken. I'm now 33, and my menopausal cycle has become irregular again. The FSH blood test was repeated and showing a high reading. This time I had been referred to a specialist hospital to carried out a scan and more blood test. The consultant came into the room with a folder in his hand, as he walked to his chair he looked at me over his glasses and said "You're in the menopause". I said "Menopause". I then asked him do I have any eggs but looked over his glasses once more and said "No you don't". I froze.

36, full radical hysterectomy for endometriosis. 2 years to find the right combination of treatments.

My mood declined massively possibly 8 years ago when I was 41 I had heavy periods and felt I was aging rapidly I had blood tests and levels all fine but I ached everywhere and was so tired and zero sex drive When I reached 47 my GP agreed to start me in HRT starting at 25 everol increasing to 100 I saw a little improvement but nothing major December 2023 I felt HORRENDOUS My mood was so low I was crawling through life my GP did my bloods again and my estrogen was very low so she changed me to Lenzetto .. 3 sprays within a week I felt so much more like my old self I still didn’t have much libido but it was slightly better I had a menopause clinic phone conversation and I have since been prescribed a low dose of testosterone I can’t really comment as it’s early days but I do feel hopeful and slightly more “in the mood” 🫶🏼😘 Thankful for the hormones x

I'd urge everyone to do lots of research, go to your GP well armed with information - you will become the expert of your own menopause, no one else will be - and use every tool in the box, HRT, exercise, CBT, self care what ever it takes. And things that once worked may change, so learn to adapt. I suspect I started my peri menopause around the time my parents passed away so I thought it was part of the grieving process. It's a difficult time of life for women and this on top is hard. Make sure to get all the help availible to you.

I had an early menopause at 39, I wasn’t really sure what was happening and I honestly thought I had some awful disease until I saw a GP and had a blood test. I’m now 52 and still having irregular periods and menopause symptoms. I’ve tried many different types of HRT all with varying degrees of success, in my experience menopause is constantly changing and therefore the HRT needs to be monitored and tweaked over time. The main symptoms of anxiety and insomnia are much better while on HRT but the other symptoms such as weight gain, skin changes and hair loss I find more difficult to manage Overtime I realised that I couldn’t tolerate progesterone as my skin would erupt, my lips swell and dermatitis would appear around my mouth. Because of this I decided to see a private menopause specialist who helped to diagnose the progesterone intolerance and now manages my HRT

Started menopause around 48. Didn't have any real problems. Over last year , it just felt had no joy for doing anything. Have lots of aches and pains have started using collagen from Ancient and Brave too help with the joints

Peri - 40ish

I started my symptoms at the age of 48 although I didn’t realise to begin with they were signs of menopause. I am now 52 and still experience symptoms, although they are fewer and less severe. I struggled the most with mood swings and irritability, with increased bleeding and with sleep deprivation. HRT helped mostly with the mood swings and the bleeding.

I started with symptoms around 45 years old . For me the hardest symptoms were the anxiety, brain fog, exhaustion. I felt like I had completely lost who I was. Not being able to remember things and the brain fog was so hard to deal with, at some points I actually felt like I was going mad. Starting HRT was a game changer for me and I’ve honestly not looked back since starting it.

Menopause age 51 Combined HRT pill age 52 which helped vasomotor symptoms and vaginal dryness Age 62 changed to oestrodiol gel and progesterone (because safer) It got rid of the musculo-skeletal symptoms I didn't know were menopausal. JOY! Age 66 got ER +ve breast cancer (when I was on HRT which refuced the risk) Stopping HRT broughy back sweats, stiffness, dryness etc I'm looking to try testosterone