perimenopause

L

lwseymour

Cathlete
Just curious if anyone has started perimenopause/menopause as early as 36 years old? I just turned 36 in January. I haven't had a period in 2 months and I'm sure I'm not pregnant (haven't missed a birth control pill and had my yearly pap last month and I figure my doc would have noticed a pregnancy). Anyway, I'm experiencing extreme irritability and fatigue. Fatigue is new to me - I didn't even experience fatigue during my pregnancy 5 years ago. Having some occasional insomnia also. But the main problem is my trouble concentrating. Can't concentrate to save my life. My memory is also very bad these days which isn't like me at all. I'm actually getting kinda frightened by all these problems and was just curious if it is possible to go thru the change this early. No hot flashes however. Been doing a lot of Kathy Smith and Firms these days, just because I can't keep up with Cathe at this time of my life.

I know there is a lot of ladies here that are in their 30's and 40's and thought maybe someone has some thoughts. I'll print them out since I won't be able to remember them!
Thanks,
Lisa
 
Hi Lisa, I'm not 36, but just turned 44. I think I'm having some perimenopausal symptoms. Late periods, early periods, short periods, skipped periods, hot flashes, mood swings (although my family wants to know what's new with that), insomnia, trouble remembering names and details, etc.

They are having a weekly segment on Today this week about that topic. There may be some info on the msnbs website, also.

I'm going to head over there after I finish up here and check it out.

Susan
 
You're in the right age bracket (35-45) for perimenopause. But you need to see your doctor. Usually the hormonal changes & the effects are gradual. Time to visit the library or bookstore for Pamela Peeke's or Debra Waterhouses's books too. (I'm sure I misspelled one or both names - sorry).

Sometimes it would be great to be a guy!

Debra
 
RE: perimenopause (long..)

No, you're not too young. When I was 39, I was experiencing memory loss, horrible mood swings, acne, insomnia, and I just chocked it up to having 4 kids and homeschooling. Then a year later my periods started acting up, as in flooding, starting mid-cycle, extreme breast tenderness. At that time, several years ago, all the information on menopause was written for women in their late forties early fifties. I was starting to believe there was something seriously wrong with me. I went to my doctor and he thought my problem was perimenopause, and that I had unopposed estrogen. (This after he ran a couple of tests on me.) He gave me progestin to take on cycle days 15-24, and 3 years later it's still working for me. I rarely have sleep problems, I can think clearly, my cycles are more predictable. It's been great for me. Both of my sister-in-laws are in their mid thirties and they're experiencing what you are as well. Make sure you talk to your doctor and read up on perimenopause. Christine Northrup has a great book. One other thing that makes a difference for me is eating right, rarely having any alcoholic drinks, and keeping my body fat down. (yea, right) I notice when I become mindless about taking care of myself, symptoms seem to become worse. I hope this helps:)
 
RE: perimenopause (long..)

I will be 39 in June, and I just started my period today. I am not skipping periods, but sometimes they are later, and this one was actually one day early. I can not sleep usually before my period. I woke up Sunday night, just drenched in sweat, then freezing because I kicked off my covers. I have been miserable. I have alot of trouble with concentration too. My dr. told me awhile ago, that I am not in perimenopause when he checked my blood. I have had terrible PMS my whole life, I will probably be committed when I do reach menopause.
Lori
 
RE: perimenopause (long..)

I started having perimenopause symtoms at about age 42 (I'm almost 51 now), so I don't think it would be unheard of in the late 30's. A lot of factors go into it, including genetics. Some doctors are clueless about it too, but there is a lot of good information out there to research on your own. Good luck!
[font color=green]BETSY[/font]
 
RE: perimenopause (long..)

If you don't mind my asking, have you gone through menopause yet?

I'm 42 and am starting to have some insomnia and forgetfulness too. I wondered if that could be it.
 
Hi Lisa.

I'm 37 now but when I was 35 I started having terrible night sweats the week of my period. I was also having days of poor concentration, just wanting to zone out, and also being really clumsy. My doctor did a blood test to check for estrogen levels and said I was not early menopause (a big relief for me since I'm still contemplating having a child) and she changed my pill rx to one that includes a little bit of estrogen in the pills taken during the week of my period. But to tell the truth, it hasn't helped. I still wake up drenched in sweat during that 1 week every month. I can feel subtle differences in my body that I can only chalk up to hormonal changes. In spite of the test results I know something is going on. I guess the best thing is to maybe keep a log of what your feeling during what time of your cycle and then discuss it with your doctor. And if you don't get satisfactory answers, seek a 2nd opinion.

Good Luck (and know you're not alone on this one!)

Lorrie
 
RE: perimenopause (long..)

I just want to mention that the tests my doctor ran on me were a uterine tissue biopsy and blood work. Both came back fine, however, he started me on progestin anyway. The more you learn about how crazy our hormones start to be in perimenopause, I think it becomes harder to diagnose through blood work. My sister-in-law's doctor had told her at age 37 she was too young for any kind of menopause and that her blood work came back fine, but she's suffering TREMENDOUSLY with all the symptoms. I'm so glad my doctor chose to be proactive and started me on the progestin. I think you really have to read and try different things. I know some women who are taking supplements that they read about and that's made a difference in their symptoms. I really think every woman's body handles it different. It's soooooo annoying, especially when you've made the effort to be healthy (as all of us try and do) and then your body ACTS like it's not functioning well. (Like why the heck do I put myself through all the sweat and aggravation when I'm still going to have this innertube around my waist, I'm not getting the burst of energy from my workouts like I used to, and on top of that I'M STILL A CRABBYPATTY!!!! It's really not that bad, but you know what I mean...)
 
No, I haven't gone through...

menopause yet, but I can tell it is gradually getting closer. My early symtoms (that I remember-lol)were the hot flashes during the week of my period and a little spaciness. I still have those and also more irregular periods and the insomnia. I haven't felt a big urge to use hormone replacement yet, but there are days when it looks very appealing. I have also noticed that my waist has gotten thicker in this last year. Can "the change" be far behind? When I was 42 I had no idea what was going on and was afraid that I was going through early menopause. I didn't know it was a normal thing and am glad that it is being discussed more in public forums now.

[font color=green]BETSY[/font]
 
Great website, Barbara P

I guess I have more symtoms than I thought I did. :eek: I never realized that some of those things could be related. Thanks!
[font color=green]BETSY[/font]
 
I hope this question isn't too stoopid, but isn't the pill supposed to keep you on "regular as rain" cycles? If you haven't missed taking any and haven't had a period for a couple of months, then you probably need a blood test just to confirm you're not preggers, especially since the two symptoms you mentioned can be early signs. If your doc wasn't looking for a pregnancy during the checkup it may not have been apparent. I don't mean to be an alarmist, but it probably wouldn't hurt to check since you're on the pill and not regular....
 
Exactly. I have been on the pill for maybe 16 or 17 years and have been like clockwork. Never a missed period (except for my intentional pregnancy). I'm talking CLOCKWORK here. I usually start exactly on time. You're probably right, I should have a pregnancy test just to make sure. Wow, I'm not sure which is scarier, starting menopause early or an accidental pregnancy.

The only reason menopause scares me is the uncomfortable symptons, not the actual phase of life. For that matter, I think the next phase of life will suit me better anyway.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO RESPONDED TO MY POST. I really am printing your responses out to keep and read when I need too.

Lisa
 
RE: perimenopause (long..)

I just got the book by Dr. Northrup and will start reading it ASAP. I flipped through it and it looks like it has a lot of good info for women regardless whether I'm perimenopausal or not.

Looks like she really stresses strength training. Yahoo!!!!!


Thanks for responding to my post.

Lisa
 
Hi guys,
Check out www.drpeeke.com and Dr. Northrup's book The Wisdom of Menopause.
Both of these doctors have been on the Today show this week between 8 and 8:30. They tell the correct tests to take to see if you are in peri-menopausal as well as natural ways to alleviate symptoms.
I have been using progesterone cream with great results. Dr. Northrup talks about it in her book as well as suppliers.
Dr. Northrup was on Oprah recently. It seems Oprah had been having heart palpitations. She went to five specialists, one of which was a woman. One cardiologist told her that she had a heart problem, the rest could offer no diagnosis. Finally, her trainer said that she must be going through the big M. She called
Dr. Northrup who explained that the heart palpitations were a peri-menopausal symptom. ( Of course, anyone with this should be checked out by a cardiologist.) Sorry to be so long winded, but doctors seem to have trouble deciding if a woman is peri-menopausal. Cherk Dr. Northrup's book.
 
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