Peri menopause moans

[Notworthy]

I had a chat with my GP this morning because I've been very conscious of the peri thing and he actually told me that he's worried too many women are chalking things up to that at the moment, that you do need some clear signs like proper hot flushes and a year of no periods before it's worth looking at blood tests and whatnot.

Can't recommend tracking everything via an app like Clue enough; you can tag your own monthly weirdness like specific moods and pain as well as all the fairly standard issues, it really helps with keeping an eye on cycles and what's "normal" for you.

Your GP is talking absolute tosh. I have a mirena so haven't had a period since I was about 35 and I've never had a hot flush. I only realised I was in Peri when I mentioned to a friend that I was becoming scatty and forgetting things/losing things and she suggested menopause. When I went and checked the symptoms I had 4 or 5 of them.
Tracking is an absolute must, even things like bowel movements and peeing change during the month. I'd recommend any woman track from puberty onwards to learn their specific signals. It really can be life changing.
ETA This isn't a Male GP issue, it's a GP issue overall. I've had Female GPs just as bad. It comes from ignorance, 1 even admitted to me that all she knew about Peri was what her patients had told her.

 

[Suzesnooze]

I had a chat with my GP this morning because I've been very conscious of the peri thing and he actually told me that he's worried too many women are chalking things up to that at the moment, that you do need some clear signs like proper hot flushes and a year of no periods before it's worth looking at blood tests and whatnot.

Can't recommend tracking everything via an app like Clue enough; you can tag your own monthly weirdness like specific moods and pain as well as all the fairly standard issues, it really helps with keeping an eye on cycles and what's "normal" for you.

That’s misinformation! If you had a year of no periods then you’re not in peri. You would be menopausal.

A lot of GP’s know duck all about it.

 

[petitspois]

I saw some stats the other day and the prescriptions for HRT rose after Mariella Frostrup gave the subject more publicity but shot up after Davina. Now I wonder if HRT is seen as a wonder drug when the reality of menopause is really complex. I've just started reading a book on it and it's fascinating how we have such different experiences.

 

[Suzesnooze]

I saw some stats the other day and the prescriptions for HRT rose after Mariella Frostrup gave the subject more publicity but shot up after Davina. Now I wonder if HRT is seen as a wonder drug when the reality of menopause is really complex. I've just started reading a book on it and it's fascinating how we have such different experiences.

It’s definitely very popular now and you can also stay on it the rest of your life. They didn’t used to allow it over a certain age. Trouble with Mariella and Davina is they went down the private route and testosterone is given as part of that whereas it’s hard to get it prescribed on the NHS.

I used to read a lot on a well known menopause forum and there were quite a few on there that HRT didn’t suit or made them worse.

I have decided for now to not take it.

 

[Baby Giraffe]

I had a chat with my GP this morning because I've been very conscious of the peri thing and he actually told me that he's worried too many women are chalking things up to that at the moment, that you do need some clear signs like proper hot flushes and a year of no periods before it's worth looking at blood tests and whatnot.

At best your doctor is confused. They are right that blood tests during peri are pretty pointless from a hormonal point of view although very useful to rule out other things non peri related. During this time you're hormones fluctuate so much that it's all a bit meaningless and so you should be assessed based on symptoms (in line with NICE guidelines if you are over 45). When you haven't had any periods for 12 months you are no longer peri but you are post meno and your hormones will be more stable so blood tests can be more meaningful. That said, they've missed totally any assistance that you could have during up to 10 years of peri which is a lot more than hot flushes.

 

[petitspois]

I follow Liz O Riordan and the hormone doc on instagram and they are quite critical of HRT. It’s a minefield in many respects.

 

[Woolmercardington]

I follow Liz O Riordan and the hormone doc on instagram and they are quite critical of HRT. It’s a minefield in many respects.

It really is a minefield. I found a US menopause doc on YT (her style of delivery in her tutorials is very irritating, tbh), but she's done a series on HRT as well as lifestyle factors/supplements that she recommends if you feel HRT is not for you. She's doesn't advocate it, but presents it as viable option, among other things.

However, she does seem pretty opposed to those who dismiss entirely and also claims standard low doses prescribed by GP's are generally pointless.

 

[petitspois]

I just don't see how one endocrinologist can be an all out advocate and another can be really quite reticent.

 

[Woolmercardington]

I just don't see how one endocrinologist can be an all out advocate and another can be really quite reticent.

I know. So confusing. A couple of women in my office are on it, but they've said they feel no different, but are also on a very low 'starter' dose. They've both been on it a good few months, too, and have had their methods changed, e.g. patches, to gel, to tablets.

It's all as clear as mud to me.

 

[veronica71]

I started HRT just over two weeks ago. I don’t have periods due to the mini pill so didn’t have issues with them but was having hot flushes, achy joints, anxiety, anger, brain fog….. have to say I feel so much better. I have more energy, my joints don’t ache, I’ve not had a hot flush in two weeks and I just feel more like myself - in a way I didn’t realise how I wasn’t myself until now if that makes sense.

My mum was very anti HRT and she suffered so much that I was willing to give anything a go and I’m very glad I have. Obviously isn’t and doesn’t work for everyone but just my experience

 

[HotesTilaire]

It’s definitely very popular now and you can also stay on it the rest of your life. They didn’t used to allow it over a certain age. Trouble with Mariella and Davina is they went down the private route and testosterone is given as part of that whereas it’s hard to get it prescribed on the NHS.

I used to read a lot on a well known menopause forum and there were quite a few on there that HRT didn’t suit or made them worse.

I have decided for now to not take it.

Oh I had a great chat with a physio who tried to dismiss my symptoms as peri, and told me there was a simple solution - testosterone. Just an issue that you can’t get it prescribed in the UK
Anyway luckily the qualified doctor intervened and confirmed my actual diagnosis of ME CFS but you can’t let your guard down with healthcare professionals for a second,

 

[It’s The Truman Show]

I’ve been on HRT for a year or so. I started it as soon as I started getting hot flushes and random night sweats from my head down to my toes …. My feet were sweating !!???!!! I didn’t like those. I still have joint pain but that’s probably the lovely inherited osteoarthritis and being overweight. Stopped the hot flashes so I’m happy about that. I found waking up soaked in sweat quite awful. And getting out of bed sometimes to have a quick shower in the middle of the night to cool down but having to get back into a bed with soaking sheets was horrid. I’m sure we are all a big part of the research now tbh.

 

[Vickster2110]

It’s late peri if you have no period for 60 days. I know I‘Ve been in peri for years but my GP didn’t agree that it was possible to be peri in your late 30s they won’t be able to argue

Hi!! I found this thread a couple of weeks ago and my god it was like a light bulb moment!!....I've not had any real signs that I'm "peri" until my period didn't arrive a couple months ago.....for the past couple of years they have varied in length and consistency!! Although normally bang on time, give or take a couple days either side....I am normally very heavy for one full day then light and after day 3, nothing! So when I was reading this thread I discovered I have quite a few symptoms that I have just put down to just being me....really sore hips....horrendous mood swings are just a couple....but the missed period really threw me.....so anyway...I finally started bleeding a wee bit on Monday....I was so relieved because although I've had no bleeding my body has been crying out for a period ....but I only bled for a few hours then nothing!! Then yesterday omg I started flooding!! I'm still so heavy and I feel awful the reason I'm commenting is I came on on day 64...so would you say this could be "peri"? I have just turned 45 so probs about right?? It's awful like and wouldn't wish it on anyone.....soz for the essay, haha!!

 

[Suzesnooze]

Hi!! I found this thread a couple of weeks ago and my god it was like a light bulb moment!!....I've not had any real signs that I'm "peri" until my period didn't arrive a couple months ago.....for the past couple of years they have varied in length and consistency!! Although normally bang on time, give or take a couple days either side....I am normally very heavy for one full day then light and after day 3, nothing! So when I was reading this thread I discovered I have quite a few symptoms that I have just put down to just being me....really sore hips....horrendous mood swings are just a couple....but the missed period really threw me.....so anyway...I finally started bleeding a wee bit on Monday....I was so relieved because although I've had no bleeding my body has been crying out for a period ....but I only bled for a few hours then nothing!! Then yesterday omg I started flooding!! I'm still so heavy and I feel awful the reason I'm commenting is I came on on day 64...so would you say this could be "peri"? I have just turned 45 so probs about right?? It's awful like and wouldn't wish it on anyone.....soz for the essay, haha!!

Yes definitely peri.

Here are some of the symptoms!

 

[HotesTilaire]

Hi!! I found this thread a couple of weeks ago and my god it was like a light bulb moment!!....I've not had any real signs that I'm "peri" until my period didn't arrive a couple months ago.....for the past couple of years they have varied in length and consistency!! Although normally bang on time, give or take a couple days either side....I am normally very heavy for one full day then light and after day 3, nothing! So when I was reading this thread I discovered I have quite a few symptoms that I have just put down to just being me....really sore hips....horrendous mood swings are just a couple....but the missed period really threw me.....so anyway...I finally started bleeding a wee bit on Monday....I was so relieved because although I've had no bleeding my body has been crying out for a period ....but I only bled for a few hours then nothing!! Then yesterday omg I started flooding!! I'm still so heavy and I feel awful the reason I'm commenting is I came on on day 64...so would you say this could be "peri"? I have just turned 45 so probs about right?? It's awful like and wouldn't wish it on anyone.....soz for the essay, haha!!

I read that 60 day with no period means peri, but where!?! Off to look.

eta it’s the Mayo clinic, so probably accurate https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases... a space,intensity, length and frequency vary.

 

[petitspois]

Oh, I’m 180 days since a period. I feel like I’m in no man’s land, waiting for a wall of symptoms to hit.

 

[50sGirl]

Bloody insomnia.

 

[PunkyMonkey]

I'm seriously thinking of booking an appointment to see that GP again and have a quick chat, because he's about 14 (not really obvs but very young) and this could be an opportunity to make him a better advocate for women's health.

Fortunately I'm up enough on medical stuff that I know how hard it is to identify hormone related happenings in women, otherwise I would probably have felt brushed off and not bothered going back I expect.
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I read that 60 day with no period means peri, but where!?! Off to look.

eta it’s the Mayo clinic, so probably accurate https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666#:~:text=If you have a space,intensity, length and frequency vary.

There are so many different markers, it's ridiculous. Everyone will tell you something different. It's almost as if most medical research is done on men.

Case in point, as a menstruating woman the lowest your iron should ever go is 27, but because the trigger level is based on men in the NHS blood test systems you usually won't get a phonecall if you're coming in underneath that, as long as you have the male threshold. Cue feeling tired, anxious, depressed etc until your ferritin drops so low they retest your blood. Literally years in some cases. It's changing but not fast enough.

 

[Notworthy]

I'm seriously thinking of booking an appointment to see that GP again and have a quick chat, because he's about 14 (not really obvs but very young) and this could be an opportunity to make him a better advocate for women's health.

Fortunately I'm up enough on medical stuff that I know how hard it is to identify hormone related happenings in women, otherwise I would probably have felt brushed off and not bothered going back I expect.
---


There are so many different markers, it's ridiculous. Everyone will tell you something different. It's almost as if most medical research is done on men.

Case in point, as a menstruating woman the lowest your iron should ever go is 27, but because the trigger level is based on men in the NHS blood test systems you usually won't get a phonecall if you're coming in underneath that, as long as you have the male threshold. Cue feeling tired, anxious, depressed etc until your ferritin drops so low they retest your blood. Literally years in some cases. It's changing but not fast enough.

There are so many out of whack thresholds. It's a big issue with Thyroid problems too.

ETA My pet peeve is when we have a test and it comes back abnormal, cue retest which comes back normal so case close because obviously the normal test is correct and shouldn't be questioned!

 

[Winthropp Tuesday]

There are so many out of whack thresholds. It's a big issue with Thyroid problems too.

ETA My pet peeve is when we have a test and it comes back abnormal, cue retest which comes back normal so case close because obviously the normal test is correct and shouldn't be questioned!

That's literally just happened to me - had bloods done, I had slightly raised cholesterol, thyroid markers and blood sugar. So they re-ordered more bloods, they all came back normal - diet/routine hadn't altered one jot. And the Dr and Nurse were like 'nothing to see here now...all normal, bye bye' Asked about perimenopause as I'm 44, and they said we're not considering that till you're 46. Like that's the magical number or something!