I think I am perimenopausal. Can anyone relate?

[dizluvah]

My peri-menopausal symptons at 44 (tired, cold, couldn't lose weight) turned out to be pregnancy...watch out!!

Now I'm peri-menopausal again with a 2 year old. No hot flashes but honestly, I'd trade the heart palpitations for hot flashes. At least I'd be able to drink caffeinated coffee again.

My best advice: go see the play Menopause the Musical. It will make you laugh and feel better after everything that's happening.

Same for me - I will be 38 in July - I was convinced I must be starting the change early - my sister (55) and I discussed at length....turns out I'm pregnant with our first - YIKES- I'm too old to start a family.....but thrilled

 

[Mermaid02]

Same for me - I will be 38 in July - I was convinced I must be starting the change early - my sister (55) and I discussed at length....turns out I'm pregnant with our first - YIKES- I'm too old to start a family.....but thrilled

CONGRATULATIONS! You are NOT too old to start a family!

 

[TLHB70]

I truly believe I am. I have an appointment on Monday and will ask for a hormone test. I will be 40 in two months. I am on the pill so my periods are still regular, but they seem to be getting lighter, not heavier. However, I have terrible night sweats! As another poster mentioned, I wake up soaken wet. I have had my thyroid checked already, and it is ok. I am moody at times and forgetful. My have noticed heart palpitations a few times within the last couple of months; that is a new one for me. Also, I posted this on the last perimenopause thread, but no one answered me.........I am embarrassed to ask, but does anyone else get sore breast nipples with it? That was my first symptom for both of my pregnancies; my nipples, not the area around the breast, but the actual nipples, were so sore. It hurt for clothing to fall over them. Well, over the last couple of years, that has started off and on during certain months. It scared me to death at first! I thought I was pregnant again! I took a test, and all was fine. Now I get that every few months. It is awful because it hurts when my clothing even touches them.

 

[TLHB70]

Same for me - I will be 38 in July - I was convinced I must be starting the change early - my sister (55) and I discussed at length....turns out I'm pregnant with our first - YIKES- I'm too old to start a family.....but thrilled

Congratulations!

 

[TangaroaTiki]

I truly believe I am. I have an appointment on Also, I posted this on the last perimenopause thread, but no one answered me.........I am embarrassed to ask, but does anyone else get sore breast nipples with it? That was my first symptom for both of my pregnancies; my nipples, not the area around the breast, but the actual nipples, were so sore. It hurt for clothing to fall over them. Well, over the last couple of years, that has started off and on during certain months. It scared me to death at first! I thought I was pregnant again! I took a test, and all was fine. Now I get that every few months. It is awful because it hurts when my clothing even touches them.

I'm 41 and sometimes that happens to me too - It doesn't last long, but it was also how I knew I was preggers with each of my 3 kiddos

 

[TangaroaTiki]

Well I'm 42 and maybe that is why I'm so moody~Guess I should bring it up at the next doctor appointment!!! I have had my period since I was 8 so I am so ready for it to be done!!! And Yes you did read that right 8!!!!

My DD is 10 and I would feel so bad if she had to deal with that already. I know it's coming, but wow that's young

 

[cybrkitn]

I'll be 39 in June (DH just turned 40 two months ago) and I've been wondering the same thing about me. We have one son who will be 8 in June. DH and I have been trying for a second child.

My last AF was in January and I missed last month. I really thought I was pregnant, but 3 home tests showed that I'm not . I've only missed once in my life back in 2007 until now. So this is not normal for me. I've already called my gyn and was given a prescription to get blood work done on the third day of my next cycle; which should be this week (if I don't miss again). If I miss this month, then my doctor wants to see me.

DH has diabetes and is insulin dependent. He's only now starting to get his diabetes under control (after years of not doing so), which may have something to do with us having trouble trying for another child. I also have prolaps (sp?) from delivering our son and don't know if that is hindering our chances. Although my gyn says it shouldn't be.

Oh, and for the PP who felt that 38 is too old to start a family. It's not. I have an aunt who is 11 years older than me. She was pregnant with her first (a girl) when she was 41. We were emailing each other a lot back then b/c I was pregnant as well. My cousin and my son are 6 months apart. It still feels weird having a cousin who is old enough to be my own daughter , lol.

 

[cybrkitn]

I have had my period since I was 8 so I am so ready for it to be done!!! And Yes you did read that right 8!!!!

I know it's coming, but wow that's young

I was 9 and in 4th grade when I first got mine. Funny how it was right at the time where 4th and 5th graders in my school were learning about this stuff. The boys about puberty (sp?) and the girls about AF.

 

[TangaroaTiki]

I was 9 and in 4th grade when I first got mine. Funny how it was right at the time where 4th and 5th graders in my school were learning about this stuff. The boys about puberty (sp?) and the girls about AF.

Wow, I didn't get mine until I was nearly 15! I was in high school and it was right before my birthday - I considered it a birthday gift because I was wondering what was wrong with me

 

[DarthKTrava]

I will be 40 in two months.

Wow. We're nearly the same age. I turn 40 in June. I think I'm in the early stages. There's times where I end up throwing off most of the covers (I'm one of those who has to sleep under nearly a half-dozen layers of blankets) and ending up under only one or two layers. And it seems I've taken alot less BS than I usually do before I snap. So far it's only been mild. My period is still regular but fluctuates between a "good" one and a "bad" one. One month I won't cramp much but the next it'll be "cramp city" and I take Ibuprofen to quell the cramping and the resulting side effect of it tearing my stomach up and sending me to the bathroom if I don't. That happens during the first 3 days which are the heaviest.

 

[DarthKTrava]

Same for me - I will be 38 in July - I was convinced I must be starting the change early - my sister (55) and I discussed at length....turns out I'm pregnant with our first - YIKES- I'm too old to start a family.....but thrilled

Congratulations!

 

[TLHB70]

Wow, I didn't get mine until I was nearly 15! I was in high school and it was right before my birthday - I considered it a birthday gift because I was wondering what was wrong with me

I was a freshman in high school when I got mine. Both of my daughters were 10.

 

[TLHB70]

I forgot to mention that I get severe headaches, like migraines, most months just before I start my period. I call them hormone headaches because I know that is what is causing them. NOTHING takes the pain away when I get them!

 

[jetprincess]

I'm in the same boat.

Other than cutting out caffeine for the heart palpitations and HRT, what is everyone doing to cope?

I started taking 2000 mg of Evening Primrose Oil every day and it does seem to help a little.

Also, I've read that fat cells can store estrogen and can throw your hormone levels off. So, if you've been needing an reason to get off that extra weight - now is the time to do it. That is of course, if you are not too busy with a headache, hot flash or dealing with mood swings...

 

[CapeMayMommy]

Same for me - I will be 38 in July - I was convinced I must be starting the change early - my sister (55) and I discussed at length....turns out I'm pregnant with our first - YIKES- I'm too old to start a family.....but thrilled

You are so not too old!!! I also didn't start until I was 38---trust me, it's the best way to do it.

(Except when you are 44 with a 5 and 6 year old, premenopausal and grouchy. )

I am getting headaches more often. And feel so hormonal.

I thought that I had a few more years before this started, but...

 

[Piglet4Ever]

I am really glad I started this thread and thanks to everyone who has replied so far. I don't feel so crazy anymore I'll be asking my Dr about checking my thyroid too.

 

[TLHB70]

I'm 41 and sometimes that happens to me too - It doesn't last long, but it was also how I knew I was preggers with each of my 3 kiddos

I am so happy to read this and know that I am not the only one that experiences it! Thank you for posting!!!!!!!

Also, I've read that fat cells can store estrogen and can throw your hormone levels off. So, if you've been needing an reason to get off that extra weight - now is the time to do it. That is of course, if you are not too busy with a headache, hot flash or dealing with mood swings...

Yes, I read and heard that too. I started exercising regularly about two years ago. It has helped! I do not feel as tired as I did before.

I am really glad I started this thread and thanks to everyone who has replied so far. I don't feel so crazy anymore I'll be asking my Dr about checking my thyroid too.

I am so glad you started it too! Thank you!

 

[cepmom]

Maybe that's what's wrong with me I am 40 now and I have been super moody, especially so right before my period comes. Really bad headache the first day of my period, trouble sleeping at night, really forgetful ( I keep telling DH that I have early ahlzheimers ) but as of yet, no hot flashes. I also have awful food binges during PMS time too...could that be related to perimenopause also????

I complained about it to my Dr and she told me to take B6 pills, Vit E and Tums for calcium . I have trouble remembering to take them every day though so I have no idea if they work or not.

I didn't know there was a test to see if you are in perimenopause though! I have had my thyroid levels (?) tested but the test always comes back "normal" I do have thinning eyebrows which I know can be attributed to thyroid problems but since the test is always normal the Dr says it's not that.

 

[jetprincess]

bump. This is important!

 

[TLHB70]

I am sorry that I did not have time to get to my computer yesterday after my appointment. I saw a new doctor. My neighbor sees this doctor, and she goes on and on about how great this lady doctor is. Since my doctor seemed to dismiss my concerns about perimenopause, I decided to switch and see this new lady doctor yesterday. I am so glad that I did! She is GREAT! She really listened to me and acknowledged that I CAN be in perimenopause. She said that the average age for menopause in women in the US is 50 years and 2 months (I think it was 2 months, maybe 4 months). She said that perimenopause symptoms generally hit 8 to 10 years before menopause. She pointed out that 50 years is the average age for menopause; that means that women can experience it earlier or later, like age 40 to 60, or later. If a woman is going to hit menopause at 40, then her perimenopause symptoms can strike at age 30! When I talked to my neighbor yesterday, she said that she is concerned that she is experiencing perimenopause; she is 31. Well, her mom had menopause at 42, so based on what this doctor said, it makes sense. The doctor did not do a hormone blood test on me, though, because I am still on the pill. She said that my pill is giving me hormones so any hormone test would be skewed. She also said that I could go through menopause on the pill and not even know it. She said that many women stay on the pill until just before 50. Then they get off of the pill and their periods never come. They realize that menopause has happened and because of the pills they did not even know. She said that she would do lab work on me if I were to get off of the pill. I told her I will stay on the pill rather than do that blood test. She did test my thyroid again, though. She did a complete CBC just to look at things.
Does that help anyone? It made me feel better; she did not think I was crazy for asking at all. She said that I very well could be in perimenopause, but until I am off of the pill, there is no way to verify with blood work.