premenapause info, please

R

RhiannonW

Cathlete
I've read various posts regarding symptoms of premenapause. I just turned 38 and I've been having those symptoms. I've asked my dr. about it a couple of times. Dr. says it's not premenapause, but the fact I have 2 kids(3 1/2 and almost 5). I understand the stresses that accompany young kids, but I feel like the dr. is just brushing me off with the children excuse. Is there anything specific to premen. that differentiates it from general fatigue? What questions can I ask the dr.? Any advice for me when I see the dr. next week? Request blood work?

Thanks everyone.
 
I think this is an interesting site:

power-surge

I think it has a great deal of information regarding perimenopause. Additionally, if you scroll down to the bottom of the 1st page you can find a link to their message boards ... which has many women discussing this issue ...
 
There is a hormone level blood test you can have done. I think it's called an FSH level test. (Do I have this right Kathy S.?) It's very simple. I had it done last year at the age of 47, and they told me I "have the hormones of a 30-yr. old". It is unusual for a woman of your age to begin to experience perimenopausal symptoms according to everything I've read. However, it is not impossible. Ask to have the test done, and read about all the symptoms on the thousands of informative websites on the internet (I love you internet!).

If your only symptom is fatique, I would look for another cause.

BTW, since it's not a disease, the word "symptom" is probably not accurate; I'm just too lazy to think of a better word. :)

Good luck and let us know what you learn.

-Nancy
 
Rhiannon --

You know your body, you know how you feel. Through a link that Annette posted, here is a page where you could possibly find a doctor in your area that specializes in menopause. I wouldn't put up with a know-it-all doctor that dismisses you in this manner. You're not going crazy and you're not alone.

My next trip to the GYN will be with one of these doctors that specialize. They, at least, are concerned for women's health and well-being. Also check out this thread (if you haven't already) for some other good web sites to visit.

http://www.menopause.org/cliniciansus.pdf

http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=74308&mesg_id=74308&page=

Take care!
 
Actually from everything I have read, premenopause can start as young as 35, and 38 seems to be a prime time for it.

Try Dr. Lee's book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell you About Premenopause" and Ann Louise Gittleman's book whose title I can't remember.

If your health is otherwise good and you are looking after yourself, then I agree with one poster here, suspect premenopause as the culprit. Nancy is lucky to have the hormones of a 30 year old, but perhaps she is also not the norm. Your lifestyle impacts your body, your hormoine levels. Nancy does not have your life, she does not have children, so her lifestyle impact upon her physiology will be way different from yours. And I am sorry but continued stress over aperiod of time does affect your hormone production.

Changing hormonal levels reduces the elasticity of the artery walls and begins symptoms of vascular irregularity, not serious, but irritating. Estrogen is responsible for maintaining the health of so many of women's bodily tissues and organs (see Dr. Lee), it is incredible. So fluctuations of this hormone will have tell tale effects. Premenopause may not be the "hot flashes" stereotype. Different women experience it in different ways. Only you know what's not normal for you. And if a short vacation doesn't cure it, it may well be more than regular stress and fatigue.

Dr. Lee's book will tell you what sort of tests you may wish to request.

Clare
 
I know the fact that I am always talking about myself made it seem as if the information I was stating came from my own experience rather than from other sources, but I actually believed that I was presenting accurate information regarding the range of ages of onset of perimenopause. Since reading these posts, however, I did further research and discovered that the information out there varies. The site I read that stated that perimenopause starts between the ages of 45-55 was just wrong. It obviously was referring to menopause itself. And since several sites stated that perimenopause is a long process that can take anywhere from 5-10 years, and menopause usually begins between 45-55, with the average age being 51 years, obviously perimenopause can begin as young as 35. So I stand corrected, and I apologize for giving inaccurate information.

The most stated fact about this whole process that I have read again and again is that it varies enormously, and that each woman's experience is different.

I can't vouch for this, but people have told me that it's a good idea to find out your mother's experience with menopause, and maybe an aunt or two on your father's side, as these things are likely to be genetic. You may find out more about what to expect for yourself from a close relative than from any doctor or website.

-Nancy
 
You can ask your MD to run a FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) test to put your mind at rest. If he/she won't they have a home test you can buy although I can't attest to the reliability. Fatigue can be from many things. Maybe have them check your thyroid as well as other general blood work. Your kids are 3 1/2 & 5 so having 2 kids isn't a new thing for you and it sounds like your symptoms are more recent. Be assertive w/ the MD that you know that you aren't feeling normal since you know best when there is a change in your overall feeling. Good luck.
 
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