Search perimenopause and menopause experiences

Perimenopause started mid 40s. First symptoms were severe joint pain. Had lots of tests/scans with no abnormalities detected. Periods became heavier (even with Mirena coil). Loss of confidence, brain fog, hot flushes over night interfered with sleep, etc... Eventually put on hrt and joint pain subsided significantly. No libido. Symptoms have lasted over 10 years (now 59). Still having periods. Hrt has helped but not banished symptoms. Now on anti depressants due to low mood and lack of energy. Exercise helps a bit.

A long slow process to get effective help on the NHS and therefore very hard to fine tune treatment. Each doctors appointment takes 3+ weeks, meaning symptoms are completely different from the appointment being booked to seeing the GP. Doctor said I was a good candidate for testosterone due to low levels, but it has taken 13 months to get a consultant appointment (phone only) They wanted a 2nd blood test - 2 week wait for the form to be sent and then another 3.5 week wait for an appointment. Still waiting for results and consultant advice- inital GP referral was Feb 2023.

Menopause since age 42. Still get night sweats age 57.

40 Still on going and 44 Brain fog and lack of concentration Hrt

I was about 40 when my symptoms started but I didn’t seek help until I was 49. The first GP I saw diagnosed depression and prescribed antidepressants. After many hospital consultations a gastroenterologist suggested menopause and a new GP agreed and started me on HRT. I had really severe symptoms from heavy bleeding, severe mood swings, suicidal ideation 8-10 nightsweats a night for months on end, joint pain, especially in my fingers. It was bad.

Started peri symptoms at about 36 years old,I am now 58 and still experiencing symptoms if I come off HRT. I was not offered HRT until I reached 51 years old

I am diagnosed with POI, caused by Turner Syndrome. I would have gone into the menopause in teen years but didn’t find out until I was 32. Menopause was masked by the pill. I have really struggled cognitively, and with moods, emotions and loss of self. Also felt joint pain.

Started feeling terrible when I stopped taking the combined pill at 47, and the symptoms didn't get better over time, so I don't think it was estrogen withdrawal per se, probably more like the pill was preventing the symptoms that started when I stopped the pill. Frequent UTIs, vaginal dryness, acne, anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, irritability/rage, night sweats, joint pain - pretty much every symptom EXCEPT hot flushes, which is the only symptom I remember hearing about from older female relatives growing up. Tried CBT and mindfulness, daily walks for exercise, but they only put a dent in the mental symptoms and obviously did nothing at all for my physical symptoms. HRT saved me.

Unsure when I started as symptoms crept in gradually but looking back they probably started a few years ago. Was already post menopausal when o started HRT when hot flushes became unbearable. Worst symptoms hot flushes, brain fog, listlessness, vaginal dryness, hair and eyebrow thinness. HRT definitely changed things around. So glad I finally went for it, as looking back hadn’t realised how many symptoms I had.

I was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency in my teens. In many ways my symptoms are all I have ever known and I'm unsure what is considered normal for me now as I've been on HRT for a long time. My most severe symptoms before HRT were lack of periods, hot flushes, lack of concentration and low mood. HRT has helped with some of those along with talking to others living with the same diagnosis.

Started menopause at 34, prescribed Sandrena gel for thighs (2 a day rubbed on) and a progesterone tablet to take at night as still have womb, I’m now 50 so been on hrt for 16 years, the hrt stopped the hot flushes but I still suffer many bad symptoms, mostly severe itchy ears at night, migraine/headaches daily and constant, restless legs, sore and uncomfortable down below was diagnosed with lichen scherlosis 2 years into menopause, use a expensive cream I found online called vulva cream. All in all menopause has changed me and not for the good. Recently started probiotics to help with health.

I started peri at 44 it was just hot flushes and vaginal dryness to start with then o was getting night sweats but my gp was reluctant to support me on hrt it took 3 years of complaining to get started on treatment

I’m 32 now and in peri menopause. I started with symptoms at the age of around 26-27 and was finally diagnosed last year. It was the worst time of my life, I felt so lost and scared I’d never feel better again. At some points I really had lost all hope. I eventually found a fantastic private doctor who diagnosed me and started me on the Mirena coil and hrt which thankfully has worked for me and has lifted me up monumentally! My worst symptoms were, extreme low mood, insomnia, vaginal dryness, heavy clotty periods, anxiety, joint pain, itchy skin all over, dry eyes, brain fog, rage and irritability. I am blessed to have a 8 year old son already and he has kept me going throughout this. I really wouldn’t wish this on anyone, and I don’t think people fully understand how life changing and soul destroying menopause is.

It's been a horrible few years. Crippling pain, fractured sleep, short-term memory gone, depression with frequent suicidal thoughts, and stress incontinence. I can't believe how little knowledge, help and support is out there. It's just shocking.

I started perimenopausal symptoms at about the age of 48 but wasn't sure at the time . They started mildly.Hind sight is a wonderful thing and they seem obvious now. My periods started getting heavier and i got a lot of clotting. My periods got heavier for about 5 years and sometimes I would flood and bleed through my clothes, often while at work. I was getting hot at night and I had lost my energy and had to get off my bike cycling to work and was having bad migraine . My sleep was very disturbed but had been for most of my 40s. It took me a long time to realise that it was the slight change in my body temperature that was causing me to wake up and then I couldn't go back to sleep. My periods were regular but got shorter during the last year and I missed 1 and i had my last period aged 58. After my periods stopped I noticed the brain fog, anxiety and exhaustion really kicked in and it was becoming a problem for me at work so I started HRT at 60. This helped enormously and I felt my old self again and my energy returned. I have recently been experiencing feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm again . One of the main perimenopausal impacts for me were my migraine intensified and I no longer was able to tolerate any alcohol. It made me violently sick so haven't drunk alcohol for 6 years now .My hair thinned at the sides but has now grown back. I currently experience vaginally itching which can be quite severe since being on HRT and period symptoms like cramps and painful boobs. Migraine has improved though and sleep is better but still wake twice in the night every night .

It’s been a journey! POI diagnosed at 43. Started symptoms at around 41 and didn’t make the connection because of general medical guidelines stating that I was not in the right age bracket. Severest symptoms were irregular menstrual cycles, night sweats, crippling anxiety, depression and bouts of anger. Brain fog was off the scale, my memory was shot to pieces, I couldn’t concentrate and found little joy or happiness in life. My joints ached like nothing else - I thought I was getting arthritis, it was so painful - and as I lay in bed at night, I could feel my body throbbing against the mattress and restless legs were making relaxing almost impossible! I also had heart flutters, struggled to regulate my body temperature and generally lacked much energy to go running and keeping fit like I’d used to. I also found that I was getting sore and itchy with small tears appearing around the vulva as the delicate tissues become less plump due to hormone levels declining. Whilst I swear by it, I’ve had a mixed experience with HRT due to needing higher doses due to very low natural levels of oestrogen in my body. It took a while to find the right treatments, combinations and doses for me but I do feel better on HRT and will never stop taking it because it’s good for long-term health outcomes as well as shorter-term symptomatic relief.