Search perimenopause and menopause experiences

I started experiencing joint pains when I was about 47. However, I didn't realize that it had anything to do with perimenopause. It was only a few years later when I was really struggling with my memory that I put 2 and 2 together. It was since I was 50 that my other symptoms have kicked in like sleep issues, night sweats etc. I have worked hard on CBT for my sleep, used HRT for night sweats (doesn't work) and trying to eat right for my brain. Nothing really works perfectly but I try I definitely get sore joints if I eat too much sugar

When I started with peri- menopausal symptoms I was 41 and despite blood tests with my GP they were unable to confirm. In hindsight I now understand what was going on but I felt very isolated, uncertain and embarrassed. Menopause wasn’t talked about as much ten years ago. I had multiple symptoms which were mostly low- medium grade but accumulatively had a big impact on my day to day life. I was peri for about 8 years and am now post menopause at the age of 51. The biggest impact for me has been my sex drive which is non existent partly due to vaginal atrophy. It’s not an easy symptom to talk about openly but has really impacted my relationship and self-esteem. I now use oestrogen pessaries and cream to alleviate these symptoms after a great conversation with a nurse. They help.

Desperately seeking information about what HRT is appropriate Unable to find anyone to help explain

I think perimenopause symptoms started when I was 42 (now 46) and I continue to have quite severe symptoms. Mostly severe symptoms are feeling completely exhausted, low and anxious, trouble with aches and pains and sleeping. Not much has helped as yet, Im continuing to try HRT, yoga and eat well.

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I started HRT age 52. It was for extreme dry itchy skin which was worse on my face and brain fog. I started on Evorel sequi, which was great. Now on Evorel conti. I prefer the patches, I didn’t want a pill. Early days, but I’ve started periods again on conti, they are regular, but I can’t wait for them to stop!

I've just turned 50. The night sweats have been going on for about 4 years with the last 12 months unbearable. Probably about 12 months ago I started more severe mood swings, brain fog. Just general over reactions. I still maintain that my points were valid just maybe my delivery that was off. I just didn't feel like myself. I wasn't sleeping well. Waking up during the night and not being able to get back to sleep.

Approx 46. 3 years so far

44yrs Perimenopause Symptoms crept up on me and probably started late 30s with heavy and debilitating period. I started on Morena at 39yrs old. Severe symptom brain fog, depression and low mood with awful joint pains.

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.