Can anyone tell me whether this is normal…I’m 53 and have been perimenopausal for a number of years now. More recently I’ve started to feel more anxious, cry about anything, have more mood swings, and just generally have low days with no other known trigger. Can this be all fluctuations in hormones? Do others have this and feel like you’re going crazy? I cannot tolerate most meds so cannot go on HRT. I do take supplements – B vitamins, magnesium and also a fish oil.
– Michelle, Lanchashire
I’m into my 3rd year of perimenopause. I have anxiety often and cry easily. For myself, I’m wondering if the pandemic plus other works events are adding to this. A rough time to be going through this transition phase in life.
I feel this way too. It seemed to come out of the blue one day right after my 50th birthday. I had a terrible Panic attack with extreme anxiety and started having intrusive thoughts, all on the same day, I didn’t even know that’s what they were called until I was advised about it by my counselor. It was the most frightening thing to be having these random scary thoughts come out of nowhere, thoughts like just driving off the road and what would happen if I did that. Never had I had thoughts of this nature before and I don’t feel depressed and I’ve never been suicidal, so it was really frightening, I felt like I was losing my mind. I’ve more or less got a handle on it now and I’ve taken up new activities like yoga, journaling, deep breathing, just mindfulness in general, magnesium, I cut out caffeine and I’ve been keeping the news on the down low. More than anything I just hate not feeling like myself, I don’t have any hot flashes and so far not much trouble sleeping, but it’s the anxiety and the intrusive thoughts they get the best of me. I feel for you. I’m going to try some of the supplements that are listed in this thread. I know I need to take up some exercise again to besides yoga, are used to do exercise on the treadmill and then got out of habit because I was so fatigued, I do know though that exercise can help bring up energy levels.
You explained my symptoms so well. My experience with premenopause started with a panic attack. I had never in my life experienced panic or anxiety. I truly thought I was going to die. I’ve used mindfulness and CBT, meditation and medication and the combination has helped. Last night I had a panic attack in bed right out of the blue. Even though I was able to recognize and manage it more easily than in the beginning made it no less scary. Today I feel a little drained. This has been a very odd time in my life I almost feel like premenopausal has me held hostage. I just wanted to share and hope you are doing well ?
So sorry, I have felt the same way.. Mindfulness has helped me as well.
I can definitely relate. I’m 4 1/2 years into perimenopause and really sick of it all.
I have felt those exact feelings. Sometimes I have a perfectly normal day and then out of the blue before bed I get a panic attack. It then takes me so long to fall asleep. I tend to take my vitamins at night before bed and am now taking my fave CBD drops to help ease me into sleep. I so badly want to understand why one day it just turns on and changes you!
I feel all this and more. Sometimes it’s so scary and I don’t know what to do to help these symptoms. I have a five yr old boy that needs me to be available to him and I can’t even focus on the day to day stuff.
I wish there was more to help women that are suffering through this like us?
I feel exactly the same . It like just one day someone got the volume control on my anxiety and turned it up from 1-100! I had a near panic attack at just another mum coming over for a play date with my eldest . I managed to calm myself down but it was terrifying . Then as I moved through my cycle , I woke up about 5 days later and it was significantly reduced- like turned back to 1 again. It comes in waves now every month . I feel like I’m loosing my mind and I cry on my husband , terrified I’m dying then I have days when I feel alright . I try to use CBT and I have tried CBD oil, but it upset my stomach .
Any exercise helps me to focus on the now in a mindfulness way .
I feel exactly the same especially not feeling like myself. I have always been fearless and now I’m anxious regularly and have intrusive thoughts about my health. I keep thinking something’s really wrong or the doctors are missing something that might be the reason I changed so radically. I guess it’s just me not accepting that this is my peri-normal.
I have exactly this. Why when we get a little something does it mean it’s a deadly disease?! Why can’t it be a more logical answer? I have started to develop OCDs around this, body checking and scanning almost looking for things wrong…. It’s so exhausting…
It has however developed so that I’m now scared to take any medication or supplements in case they have an adverse effect! I have stuff sat right there to try but I’m too terrified, I’m only about a year into this so the thought of it getting worse and lasting years feels unbearable!
I’m 45 and perimenapauseal I too really struggle with meds they give me panic attacks as I think they will make me ‘feel’ funny. However with hrt which I’ve been on for two weeks I’m using patches which mean they an non intrusive and really and easy to use. I have been suffering with a long list of fatigue symptoms including insomnia heart palpitations brain fog but mostly anxiety- today I have actually felt like I can ‘be bothered’ again as opposed to my normal ‘not being bothered’ to do anything. I would suggest beginning by speaking to your gp about hrt, as like someone below has I dictated it’s not really meds but natural hormones that are being replaced and this really helped me to feel better about using the patches. I also take omega fish oils vit d and vit b which help and exercise too which really help my mental health. I hope you find something that helps you. God bless
Hi, I hope you don’t mind me responding to your post- but I can so relate and it actually made me very emotional reading this. I too am 45 years and have struggling with perimenopause for 4 years now. Anxiety through the roof every day, racing heart, heart palpitations, brain fog, lightheaded, emotional the list goes on! Have had many trips to my GP over the years- feel no-one really takes you seriously if your under 50 years. I am terrified of HRT (Ive never been on any medication and don’t even take a paracetamol for a headache! Just worry about side-effects!) but am getting to the point now where I can’t carry on feeling like I do- please tell me how the patches work? Do you get any side effects? How long do you think you will have to take them for? Apologies for all the questions but it’s so nice to find someone of my age who can relate! Thank you so much.
Knowing there are others in their 40s going through perimenopause makes me feel so much better! I started at 42-while undergoing fertility treatments! My FSH went from 12-100 in 3 months! (I was told 80 is where menopause begins).
44 and I felt like I was reading my own post then!! I have the patches on the table but just can’t get the courage to put one on
Sadly all of those things are normal for me too. I’ve added folic acid, vitamin B6 & B12, vitamin D and CBD oil. The combination of the vitamins and CBD oil seem to have helped to minimize all my symptoms. I’m not back to ‘normal’ but I feel a lot better. The hardest part was getting a dose of CBD oil that was sufficient to help with mood and pain.
Which brand of CBD oil do you use?
I can recommend a company called Head and Heal out of upstate NY. I’ve had an anxiety disorder and then hit peri and oof. Their stuff is great, high-quality. Woman-owned and run company as well.
Do they have a website?
How many mg of B12?
I have just joined and reading through these comments, I can’t help but think how much doctors and society at large brush the impact of menopause right under the carpet. It is real and traumatic and significant-so many women here (myself included) are suffering so much. Anxiety, pain, panic, depression, weight gain-the list goes on and on. I found another discussion thread here about left hip pain-who knew it was a menopausal symptom!? I’ve been suffering with it for about 2 years and just thought I’d injured it somewhere along the line! I am a nurse and I know so very little about menopause, doctors seem to know very little, why don’t we priories it as an area for discussion, treatment, support and research.
Totally agree with you all! For years my GP (when I could get an appointment) brushed these symptoms under the carpet – even refused to send me for bloods as he said I was “just depressed” and put me on anti-depressants. I tried everything from changing my diet to black cohosh, multivitamins- even changed my job as bosses were not understanding of how I felt! In July 2019 (on an American cruise ship) I discovered a magazine called Menopause Matters. Just reading it made me feel better! They also have a website .co.uk
5 months ago (2 weeks after my 50th) I had a full hysterectomy (fibroids) which pushed me deep into menopause. I was always a bit against hrt and pill taking generally – never even been on the pill but I couldn’t cope with the anxiety, brain fog, serious hot flashes and oh my word – the aching joints so I got an appointment with a nurse practitioner who specialises in menopause. I’m now on low dose hrt patches specifically for women with no ovaries and I feel so much better.
Hang on in there ladies, there is light at the end the end of the tunnel with or without medication you’ll get through it x
It’s very distressing and the doctors have no knowledge of perimenopause and how to support and help us. They don’t listen! I have terrible hip pain on the left side. My bones feel like they’re fused together and when I move they feel like they’re slowly breaking. It’s awful. I found this woman on YT she’s not a doctor, she’s a real woman who talks about the many symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and she’s going through it. I can’t tell you how relieved I was when I discovered her and other women going through this. I thought it was just me and I had something wrong that could be diagnosed; added to my anxiety.
Hip pain?! I had random hip pain start 2 wks ago! Is that really a random peri pain???
I’m post menopause and I’m still suffering with all of the above! In particular, hot flashes, hot feet, brain fog, mood swings, crying a lot, serious anxiety to the point where I couldn’t do my job properly, terrible headaches. During Perimenopause I did feel like I was going mad. I have found out a lot more about menopause now and have accepted that it’s normal, which has helped. I have found it really useful to exercise daily, I run five times a week normally and if not I go for a long dog walk or a wild swim in the sea. This is only achievable because I no longer work full time and I have started to work for myself. I’ve also found yoga and meditation helpful. I haven’t taken HRT but I have tried sage tablets, all sorts of vitamins and minerals, and Starflower oil but I couldn’t honestly say it’s helping that much. The exercise is definitely more helpful than any of the herbal medications I’ve taken.
Yes, yes and yes…. all very normal xx also I take a good high Vitamin D and it helps with anxiety…. though today I’ve had it bad but a lot less since I started it … hope this helps xx
So sorry to hear you’re feeling this way. I’m 52 and I’ve had these symptoms too. HRT has helped me a lot with symptoms like anxiety and crying. But since this is not an option for you I’d suggest you try acupuncture. It helps me with energy, sleep, low mood, stress, back pain. Feeling more balanced overall. Can not recommend it highly enough.
Good to hear! Trying acupuncture out this Saturday. How often do you go?
I agree with acupuncture, plus herbal tea. It works magic on me. I tired hormones replacement pill but it didn’t help my hot flashes some how. I had hot flashes during day and night, and that’s trigger my allergies. Due to hot flashes, I woke constantly at night. Thats also made me lack of sleep snd tired. I had gone through this for 2 years. Acupuncture and herbal tea balance my mood swing, reduce of brain fog and it help me focus at work, and more patience with my preteen daughter. According to my acupuncturist, it is also a lifestyle adjustment. I have cut down trigger food such as caffeine, spicy food and alcohol.
I’m 50 and have noticed I am very anxious now unfortunately. It’s particularly worse before my period. I do take magnesium, b complex and vitamin d which helps. It’s horrible though xx
Yes- just awful!! Since the onset of perimenopause I too have noticed my anxiety is more prominent right before my period- accompanied by extreme fatigue and bloating. Then it all levels out when I start bleeding and I feel more like myself again. However, this is my second month without my period… I get all the pms symptoms, but no “leveling out” or relief. 🙁
This is my problem too. All the build up and no release. Sat here now in relief tears that I finally figured out whats going on. Thank you ladies x
Same here !! It’s awful.
Yes! Me too. All the bloating, fatigue, moodiness, and digestive sensitivity, but no period. At least with a period there was an event to mark the end of those lovely symptoms. Now it’s a guessing game. Fun for the whole family.
Yes – ditto! My period used to be the silver lining to my crippling anxiety, but I’m perimenopausal and these days I am not getting the relief of a period. It’s debilitating.
This year I went 3 months without my period, with only hot flashes and minimal anxiety. It was manageable and I liked not having my period. Then the horrendous periods came back, anxiety, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, palpitations and I started to have very weird sensations in my chest under my throat. It feels like crawling under my skin but is really intense it’s awful. My period lasts longer too. The PMS takes longer to go away and I constantly feel like I’m going to have my period even though it’s just finished.
I’m 43 and have found it horrendous the doctor first gave me a high dose HRT before even giving me the blood test. I am peri menopause and it made me so ill, crying all of the time and suicidal. I saw a different doctor who took me off these straight away. I’m off everything at the moment as I’ve demanded a blood test, I go months without a period. Anyway I take Kalms for my stress and axasanthan you buy it on Amazon it’s natural antioxidant that helps anxiety. I take multivitamins, selenium magnesium for hair loss omega 3 for memory and cq10 for skin as it’s drooping and probiotics. They are helping me, I don’t want the HRT again I’m going to introduce black cosh and sage as my periods lessen.
My Obgyn prescribed me HRT too without doing blood work. I haven’t taken it yet. My last visit he gave me a lab slip.
I’m 50 and a few of my biggest struggles (being three years in) are weight gain, extreme fatigue, insomnia and joint pain. HRT is not a very good option and I feel completely at a loss. I don’t know where to turn to for sound advice.
Oh I’m so glad i found this thread..I’m 47 and I’ve been having a few symptoms since many years ago. Just last year my GP told me not to start any treatment since I wasn’t on actual menopause. And I was glad because I really don’t want to depend on HRT. Then since December I’ve been having lots of anxiety plus other symptoms again, and I was thinking it was due to this pandemic we are going through. The intrusive thoughts are the worse!! I thought I was going crazy or into a mental health problem!! The panic attacks are even worse when you feel lost and lonely and I didn’t want to share my story with anyone because I thought I was going to be judged.. so I’ve been doing lots of self work and taking herbal teas (chamomile, valerian..) to calm down the nerves. I’ve tried flowers of Bach sleep because I was dreading the nights.. they help sometimes but the stress and anxiety seems to be back. I started taking L-Theanine with lemon balm and it can help me to relax for half a day but I’m going to start taking another capsule in the early evening to calm the nerves. Because is on the evenings when I feel really scared and anxious.
I think I’ll try some of the other things you lovely people have recommended here and see if anything works better. Thanks everyone xx
Me too! I now realize I’ve been having peri menopausal symptoms for a few years now, but last August I suffered a massive anxiety attack. Much research lead me to my OB/GYN. So far I’ve tried Lexapro (made me flat and unable to eat, which I can’t lose more weight). So I’m now starting hrt. Fortunately my husband and I own our own business, so I’m currently able to wfh. The thought of dealing with people beyond a smile/nod/please/thank you is more than I can handle right now. And the intrusive thoughts are the worst. My brain keeps telling me what a loser I am for not being able to handle something EVERY woman goes through. ? (((hug)))
I’m also using CBD. It helps calm me in the evenings before bed.
I can relate ! What CBD do you recommend ?
I use Equilibria – been using it since the Pandemic and I love it. It’s women-owned and I can stand by their product. You won’t be disappointed!
I don’t want to deal with anyone. I work in a large establishment and have a lot of responsibility, but I just can’t be bothered and I don’t care. Which I know its to do with my mood and perimenopause. I can’t remember people’s names or finish a sentence sometimes. It’s awful.
The intrusive thoughts are so scary. I can literally feel my mental health being attacked. I’ve been journaling and listening to meditation to help me sleep. I also dreaded bedtimes but I’m a little better now. Before when this started over 2 years ago. I was terrified of going to sleep. There were days were I would not sleep and be awake for days. Literally looking up at the ceiling, pacing, getting anxious, and then making my way to the hospital because I could feel my blood pressure rising due to the anxiety and panic. I’m better because I don’t go to the hospital every weekend or at all anymore. But the anxiety still hits me. It seems worse before my period.
I’m 55 and honestly not sure if I’m still in menopause or not – but as I am still having symptoms, I guess the answer is yes. I asked my OBGYN about my difficulties with symptoms like night sweats and brain fog, etc etc…. All she told me was “try to avoid coffee and don’t worry about it”?!?! I was gobsmacked! I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 2 1/2 years ago and have a few other serious health conditions so NONE of my doctors have the LEAST interest in helping me parse thru which symptoms are from what or even how to deal with most of the ones that are just ruining my quality of life… smh …. Is so depressing and kind of humiliating….
I’m 54 and can’t take HRT as a breast cancer survivor. I can manage the hot sweats, bloating and joint pains it’s the emotional roller coaster. I cry daily and so easily. Irritable and moody and just not myself. I’m exercising and taking vitamins but the meds I’m on to keep the breast cancer away is making peri menopause worse. My last period was February. So glad I found this Ap and chat as feel like I’m going crazy. Feel like I’ve turned myself off from being a mother and a wife. My dr just prescribed an anti depressant so will see how that helps.
I’ve been taking a BioTe supplement called Serene for mood stabilization for years. I can REALLY tell a difference when I run out. I order it online from ePothex on autoship.
I’m 44 and feeling the exact same way! I am on hrt, but don’t plan on being on it forever. Look up Dr Carrie Jones on Instagram. I think low impact exercise, changing diet and journaling are very helpful. I also take supplements.
Michelle, I’m 53 and on HRT and just started with strong symptoms of peri menopause in August. I admire you going through this without HRT and feel for you.
I have slight mood swings where I am more emotional time to time periodically too. Have you tried The Republic of Tea Sage Tea for hot flashes. It helped to e down all my symptoms a little before I was on HRT.
Yes, I definitely deal with all of this and it is related to hormonal imbalance- you are most definitely not alone!!!! I actually have an appointment today with a naturopath to discuss these issues… I have been making sure to take vitamin D, magnesium/calcium, vitamin C, trying to pay more attention to my protein intake, and getting some omegas in through walnuts and flax. I know I need to get more vitamin B in. I hope to have more info after my appointment today!! ☺️
I really want to try seeing my naturopath again for this ! But I’m taking antidepressants and I’m whichever it will interact with the herbs… do you take any psych meds ?
I am on an SNRI, SSRI, and a stimulant. It does bring me a bit of comfort to know I’m not alone in the fight for balance, positivity, and mental health.
Sending virtual hugs to the ladies on this thread.
Hi
I’m 44 and to be honest don’t know what stage I’m at. I had a mirena fitted at 38 after a full year of constant heavy bleeding and being severely anaemic. About 41 I started to have bad anxiety something which I have never experienced and bad insomnia. Mood swings, brain fog, hot flushes so decided to have my FSH levels checked. These came back menopausal and were repeated 6 weeks later where menopause was confirmed. I then had an appointment with a gynaecologist who said my FSH levels were showing me to be post menopausal. She strongly recommended me to start HRT (as at my age which she believes I started menopause when the heavy bleeding started in my late 30s), I need it for heart disease, osteoporosis etc! I adamantly do not want to take this as to me there are more risks than benefits. This as someone said below is not natural hormones… it is synthetic hormones which are artificial although they are giving your body what it needs and should have, I agree with that. It is also made from the urine of pregnant horses.. They have given me a high dose of estrogen only patches as there is less risk with these too… I have read a lot into this and do not know if I am doing myself any favours by taking it or not. I have opted to have another mirena fitted now, I have had no bleeding since I had the first one at 38 but chose to have it to at least give me one hormone. Some days are worse than others but being honest I don’t feel I have a lot is symptoms.. I don’t get the anxiety a lot now but go through phases of not sleeping and burning up at night in bed but that I can cope with.
There is also Bioidentical HRT you could research. It’s closer to our own hormone structure.
I’m 52 and been dealing with all mentioned symptoms for 14 years, since I was 38. I have tried it all from patches, creams, pills, vitamins, diet to biodentical pellets. The pellets have been a life saver. Not all Dr’s do this but let me tell you this works. My problem is now when I wait too long to get the pellets again. I used to get them every 5-6 months along with a nightly progesterone pill. Now I’m years into this (10 to be exact) and I struggle when I go past 5 months so really 4 is my prime number now. I live now in WI but travel to TN to my Dr of 28 years.moved 4 years ago to WI so it’s a bonus to travel, I see family and it’s all worth it. Soooooo, the new things now when I wait too long are the anxiety, irritability and depression. I’m tired of feeling like a yo-yo! Hearing y’all’s stories has helped me feel not so alone or that I’m losing my mind. I’m gong to add the vitamins back in again and stay with it. I can give an update if needed. Thanks to all of y’all for the info. It’s great to be a woman but it’s hell all at the same time.
I haven’t been dealing with this for long but the past few weeks are killing me! I cry at the drop of a hat. My family hurts my feelings all the time. If I am not crying, I am feeling like I want to punch someone. I want to move to the middle of nowhere.
Gayla, you are not alone. My family didn’t understand either and made me out to be crazy! You might want to try speaking to someone who will understand and do some research into what might help you. You won’t feel like this forever x
I’ve had horrible mental health issues, due to being an ADHDer going through perimenopause, or at least something similar to it. The mood swings and sudden depressive episodes have been scary. However I just recently bought a concentrated maca product ( from Femmessense) and have so far not had a mood episode. I’ve been on it mainly five days, and leading up until that ( before I bought the product) I was dealing with the worst mood issues ever. So I think the product is really working. We’ll see if it stays that way!!! I’m the evening, I take gabapentin to relax me and help deal with sleep issues and pain.
Yes all completely normal I’m afraid.
Yes all normal symptoms. I’m 52 and have been peri menopausal for four years and suffer badly with health anxiety, who knew, never heard of it until 3 years ago. CBT helps and relaxation, and breathing techniques really help. You will be ok. X
I live with terrible health anxiety too- isn’t it just awful?!! I have recently watched a webinar on the subject that was helpful (can find it at adaa.org) and am waiting for part two. I have also found an anxiety/phobia workbook on Amazon that looks good, though I haven’t really started it yet. I also just today made an appointment with a counselor who specializes in alternative approaches as well Cognitive Behavioral Therapy… hoping to finally address this issue!! Appointment is not until February though…. I am tired of living like this and am ready to live differently!! ☺️
I have had great experiences CBT. I encourage most people to check it out. At best it helps resolve problems, at worst you try it once and leave but you got to express frustrations to someone.
Try Sure pure https://surepure.co.uk/
I never knew about health anxiety until recently too. As a result of perimenopause I have developed anxiety and panic attacks. This is a terrible way to live.
I’ve not had anxiety and mood swings but all the other symptoms and can’t take hrt – a friend told me about seremind which I’m taking for sleep quality and is for anxiety and I think it is helping – it’s a lavender oil supplement.
I feel for you because I know exactly what you’re going through I have anxiety attacks mood swings I want too cry all the time I’m fatigued all the time the funny thing is I don’t know if I’m peri menopausal or if I’m actually going through menopause my last period was in January then a few months later I bled for 7 days then a few months later after that I started too bleed again for another 7 days so I honestly have no idea what’s going on with my body
It’s sounds like you are perimenapauseal as the menopause is when you haven’t bled for a year. I suffer with anxiety so too hope you find relief soon I’ve just started hrt my doc was very supportive.
I am sorry you’re experiencing this. I also noticed with both adrenal fatigue and peri menopause (I’m 44 years old) that my tolerance to stress was lower and my anxiety amplified. While I am doing HRT for sleep and hot flashes, what’s helped me with stress/anxiety for me are practices that ground me in my body like QiGong (it can be grounding and calming or enlivening and balancing- there are tons of free practices on YouTube) and deep breathing (soft and gentle with a slow exhale) help. Supposedly, the practice of Earthing is balancing to the hormones and calming to the nervous system. It sounds woo-woo but there’s scientific research to back it. The Earthing Movie is a good starting point. I’ve read that some cultures experiences less intense symptoms than Americans do and don’t even need HRT, so makes me wonder what other factors are at play:
https://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/menopause-and-perimenopause/menopause-in-different-cultures/
Thank you I will try it. I will try anything right now.
Omg yes sweetheart! This is me too I’m 51 xx
You might be able to take it. I am sensitive to medicines too but since they are naturally occurring like melatonin it “might” be okay.
I feel like you at times
Hey Michelle. I’m 51 & just found out this summer that I’m peri-menopausal. I believe I’ve been in this stage for 6-7 years – now that o know what all these weird things could have been. Weight gain, joint pain & fatigue started in my early 40’s. Random periods started two years ago along with the emotional roller coaster of tears, melancholy, anger. This summer I got nailed by night sweats hard as well as st least one day of my random period that was so heavy, I couldn’t go anywhere. Also, an almost uncontrollable anger bubbled under the surface & I couldn’t hold back some of my thoughts. I felt like Jekyll & Hyde!! That’s when doc said it’s PM. Well holy cow, I hadn’t even thought of that!!!
Anyway, on a progestin only BC & I seem to have levelled out some. Not sleeping from hot sweats was really affecting me at work. ?
I havebeen going through the menopause 8 years and spent the last 5+ years on HRT. It’s been brilliant until all of sudden night sweats, hot flushes, anxiety and worst of all low moods. I weaned myself off HRT in anticipation of changing it. I just feel so terrible. I’ve been to the HRT nurse and she suggested Fluoxetine to try and level the moods out but I asked her what about the rest of my symptoms. She said this will help but when I asked about no hormone in this she agreed and said it would help to address the low moods. She mentioned anyway it was hard to get HRT nationally that there was risk of breast cancer and heart attacks. I asked her if HRT was expensive and she quickly said “it’s not about cost” I asked her about taking bloods to check nothing else is going on and she said – well we did routine bloods in July. Liver Thyroid, Iron. She relented and then said she will do bloods. Can anyone tell what I should suggest she tests for when I go? I information she has told me has simply been complete rubbish. Oh and fluoxetine is not addictive- so why is there a warning about withdrawal on the leaflet. I know I am feeling low – but I am shocked at what she said. I really wished I had recorded it and sent it to the NMC.
I’m 52 and went into surgical menopause in my late 30’s choosing to take HRT. I’ve had points of going off of it and also times of greatly reducing it. At one point, while in a reduced dose, I began having hot flashes, etc. when The dose seemed adequate for a good length of time. A couple years later and I’m considering that the hot flashes may be coming from blood sugar fluctuations. It might be worth looking into. I got a bit freaked out about HRT, but now I realize that not having appropriate estrogen levels can lead to some really bad things as well. We are definitely not always provided with the big picture pertaining to women’s health when navigating our hormones.
Glad you insisted on the bloodwork.
This all sound familiar to me too. I wake up every morning feeling anxious and it’s such a rotten start to the day. Tried HRT, mindfulness, vitamins. Nothing seems to work. Anyone else experiencing this? I also have anxiety throughout the day and intrusive thoughts, symptoms seem to be worse when I’m on my period or should be on a period but do actually take one.
I have also experienced this over the last three years. I don’t recognize the person I’ve been during peri menopause! Things do seem to be tapering off more recently, I’m relieved to say. I have been on HRT but it’s never quite been enough. Maca with Red Clover may be helpful. Ashwaganda and other supplements can help to calm the anxiety and level out moods. Everyone reacts differently so some experimentation and consultation with a naturopath would be wise.
I also have these symptoms,crying,tierd and irritability
I am 62 and am tired,and have irritability and have crying spells,also get very agitated fast lost of sex drive. Very frustrated.
Oh gosh me too. I’m 6 years peri menopause can’t do HRT as caused problems and up to the last month I was doing ok but gosh depression hit me like a freight train. I made horrendous mistake in work and I’ve taken this week off a/l to try and find mojo. I didn’t do a thing last month so today I’ve pushed myself to get on my bike and do a walk. There is no where that says you’ll have a personal everyday battle with your mental health and it sucks. I take multi vitamins that’s about it – take care ladies x
I have read about and experienced the helpful affects of vitamin D3. Most people are deficient and it can help balance mood, energy, anxiety/depression symptoms and regulate other things to help you feel more whole.
I feel your pain! These things have helped me: exercise, Christian music, spending time with caring friends, CBD oil, eating balanced meals, meditation, GABA, keeping a gratitude journal and plenty of crying! It will get better!
Thanks for sharing everyone. It helps so much to know we’re not alone. I’m 48 and in perimenopause. Just recently I got hit with debilitating anxiety, which has led to stomach and digestive issues. Seemed like it came out of nowhere. I was so miserable/afraid, couldn’t work, barely functional. What has helped me is seeing a therapist regularly (2X per week or more), cognitive behavior therapy, Breathwork app (the “sleep” breathing one for 8 minutes almost always helps to take my anxiety down a couple of notches), prayer/meditation and a low-dose Ativan as needed for the worst days. Take care everyone!
I’m 49, 2 yrs after full hysterectomy and I fell SO MUCH BETTER!!
I’ve been on HRT for 4yrs and it’s working great. I’ve always had a stern supplement regiment.. Got myself through menopause with herbs! Thank goodness for cannabis!!!!!
Remember you are not alone out there..I love you! I’ve been there.. No children and postpartum depression JEEEEZE..I knew I was crazy..I’m hot ALL OF THE TIME yuk!
Nothing helps with that. As for sex drive.. menopause gave me the sex drive of a mack truck!
Hi everyone! I am 46 and have been dealing with symptoms for the last six years. For the first four, my doctors all brushed me off stating I was to young to be perimen. This was so incredibly infuriating. I could list all my symptoms but I would just be reiterating what everyone else is suffering from. I’m so glad I found this community to share the complexity and confusion of this phase in our lives. I did notice that you all seem to be taking supplements. So many actually. I could buy all these up and have them in my kitchen, but if I’m being honest with myself, I’d maybe last a week taking them, if even that long. Is there anything out there that encompasses all these different vitamins and nutrients that everyone is recommending?
I agree, I don’t want to take lots of different supplements.
I suffer with mental health problems (social and general anxiety, depression, agoraphobia and bipolar). I am adamant I am perimenapausal and have had symptoms for last 2 years. I am struggling to convince my gp that my current mental health episode is due to going through menopause and I literally get laughed at and told I’m far too young and that my current mental health issues are not being exasperated by menopause. I’m 42. How can I get my drs to take me even a bit seriously???
You’re not alone. I was perimenopausal at 32 and post menopausal at 42. Now at 60 I still have the same issues. Cry at some commercials, hot flashes, night sweats (often severe) weight gain and unable to take HRT’s. They were the only thing that worked but post menopausal bleeding and surgery was the result. Talk to your GYN a low dose of (Cymbalta or similar medication) helps control those symptoms. I should know. Praying that you get relief.
I am 46 and premenopausal but not allowed HRT because had breast cancer 3 years ago and they put me on tamaxfen to bring menopause on. The hot flushes are a nightmare constantly tired and not wanting to go out or do anything. If I take a hot flush while I am out I get so embarrassed because the sweat running down my hair and face as if I was having a shower.
I don’t go out much at all now and have noticed my mood gets very low and crying for no reason. I can’t exercise much either because I have a bad back and have had a spinal fusion done that didn’t work.
I feel so alone at times but didn’t realise that a lot of women are going through the same thing.
When I trun 55 my my menopause started and it seem like everything was getting on my nerves. I felt like that Chessy cat that has his nails digs in, the roof and I’m hanging by a thread. I had to get help as soon as possible because it seems like my whole inside was falling apart. I was like almost this roller coaster up and down there now. And I decided to get it is slightly him calm down but I have flashes but they’re not as bad
I just recently realized my symptoms are perimenopause. Weight gain, brain fog, anxiety and some panic attacks, heart palpitations, insomnia, worsening PMS. I have been trying a lot of supplements and have an appt with my OB soon to discuss HRT. However wanted to share a supplement that I started using the last week that had helped tremendously with my anxiety. Anxie-T by Life Seasons. Within 40 min the tightness in my chest relaxed and I just feel normal. The first day I needed a pill in the evening too, but the last few days two pills in the morning was enough. Has Ashwaganda, Kava kava, GABA, L-theanine and some other stuff. Has been a god send. I hope it continues working and that this helps someone else.
I’m 36 and going through this! Severe severe anxiety, depression, racing intrusive thoughts to the point I’m crying and my teeth are chattering and I’m twitching from the nervous tension, er visits that got me nowhere and “” this close to telling someone I’m suicidal even though the last thing I want to do is die..obviously. Feeling like I’m not getting enough blood to my brain.. cognitive decline.. Diarrhea every morning. I had to get an emergency appointment with the women’s clinic and am now on the birth control patch. The anxiety hasn’t gone away. The intrusive thoughts have 95% subsided but I’m not sure if its the patch or me getting off the depression med. The depression med helped at first but then did the opposite again which I hear can happen. I was on the lowest dose of 5mg celexa a day but that stuff is extremely strong. I started the patch during the pmdd time of my cycle two weeks before my period and started bleeding 2 days after starting the patch. How does that make any sense? My mother went through perimenopause early too. I just want this to end! I’m on 25 mg hydroxizine in the am to help the anxiety. I can take more at night if needed but I feel ok at night. I’ve had one child at 23. I’m ready for this to be done!
I literally have tears in my eyes as I read all your stories, as I completely relate. Just over 2 1/2 years ago out of the blue I was woken up out of my sleep with what I now know to be anxiety and panic attacks. The fear was horrendous. This nighttime anxiety went on for weeks and months. It raised my blood pressure so high I had to take emergency medication to bring it down. Prior to all this happening I was and still consider myself an amateur athlete, since I was in school. I absolutely love sports and fitness it’s my life. I’ve never been sick, never taken medication and when I dislocated my shoulder I refused to have surgery if I didn’t need it. But this perimenopause and all the many symptoms associated with it have stopped me many times from wanting to move let alone go and train or even go to work. The intrusive thoughts, parathesia, palpation’s, the horrendous periods, also hit me very hard. I can tolerate the hot flashes as I don’t get them as often as I did. But I can’t believe this is happening to me. (I know that might sound silly, just feeling so unprepared) I’ve had more visits to the hospital than I’ve been alive. When it all started I was at the A&E literally every weekend, scared there was something wrong with my heart and also scared of being alone if something was going to happen to me. When I read about perimenopause being something that can’t last for up to a decade, I don’t know how I’m going to tolerate it. I’m also vegan, I have been since I was a child. I eat very clean (due to my history with competitive sports as well) Being plant-based hasn’t made a difference to my symptoms. I take a multivitamin every day, Menopace (which I think is useless, I might just opt for magnesium on its own) Iron tablets due to the heavy periods. All vegan-friendly supplements. I want to try the bioidentical HRT as I’ve read about it and I think it’s something I might try, but it’s not available where I am. The doctors, even female ones have not been helpful at all. When this all started I was told that it was my mood and that there was nothing wrong with me. They were not listening to me. They didn’t take into consideration that I never get sick, I had never experienced anxiety or panic attacks in my life, and I wasn’t on blood pressure medication. They just gave me anxiety and sleeping tablets. (I’ve been taking bp medication but at a low dose. This makes me so sad.) I’ve had every part of my body checked by every machine known to man, including every blood test that could possibly be done. I’m grateful that I have nothing wrong with me. When I asked the doctors, if my symptoms were associated with menopause they said no, I’m too young. I’m in my 40s. To this day, with my many visits to the doctor, they are still not helpful and try and shun me away. I also feel embarrassed/ashamed to keep going to the doctor but I’m so uncomfortable and I want my life back.
My current perimenopause life: 2 1/2 years ago I never experienced any of these, then out of the blue
Palpatations
Parathesia in my hands
shaking in my body
Health anxiety
Panic attacks
Blood pressure issues – now on a low dose of medication
head pain
lightheaded
horrific periods
discomfort between my eyes
jaw and teeth irritation
weird and terrifying sensations in my chest (not pain) I feel like my body is being attacked inside
Rib cage discomfort
hip pain
bloating
lower back pain
terrible low mood
introversion
nausea
heal pain
unable to sleep
I too had this and more happen to me last year right after I turned 39!!. I had a tubal about 15 years ago and I believe it’s early onset of premenopause. Doctor’s deny this but I know somehow there’s a link!! Mines came out of the blue one day also!! I wanted to end my life outta nowhere!!!!! So scary!! Like the other comment I too wanted to drive my car off the road just randomly!! I swear the food is also contributing to this way of the ‘new perimenopause” I’m being treated by a holistic Dr (As traditional dr told me that I didn’t need my hormones checked and just put me on anti depressants drugs with low dose birth control and told me I needed a hysterectomy). It was ALL about how she could help big pharma and fill her pockets at the same time. Never about getting to the root of the cause. Fast forward after my labs at the new Dr, turns out I had absolutely no testosterone! 0!! So I was onto something! So am on bioidentical hormones now. And things are a little better. But stress is horrible for this also. So am trying to manage that. No sugar, no artificial sweeteners and a whole lot of other stuff according to how am feeling. All natural stuff I might at. “Am a tree person” More studies need done on this subject. My god bless you all and may you find the relief you need! You are in my prayers!??
I am sorry so many of us are going through this. I am 50 yrs old at 16 months ago my world shifted so dramatically. I tried IV vitamin therapy five days a week for six months, took every supplement by Thorne and Wellena (still take necessity vitamins B, Magnesium, D, pro and prebiotics). Both brands are excellent. Many times symptoms are a result of “bad” estrogen. Can easily clean up with DIM and two supplements by Wellena Brocco Powder and DiGlurcarate. If still not feeling well I recommend taking a ZRT hormone test and a Dutch Test to measure tissue and metabolites of hormones in the blood available. It may not be the amount you have but the fluctuations in hormones. Find a menopause specialist in your area who will look at blood, urine, and saliva. Find a compounding pharmacy. Take bioidentical not synthetic hormones your body may respond better. For me each increase in hormones has been horrific my systems multiple then level off and I know from my results if I need to go up or down. Since I never even take an aspirin, weight train, do not eat grain, do not eat out, or eat any processed foods I thought perimenopause would be easy. It has been life altering and debilitating a lot of the times. I am slowly seeing light at the end of the tunnel after 18 months and 7 months on Bioidentical hormone therapy. My suggestions: bioidentical micronized timed release progesterone oral if you take it, bioidentical estrogen patch which I held off for six months taking bc I was so afraid, or bioidentical estrogen cream compounded by a pharmacist, and testosterone cream compounded by a pharmacist. I have had all the above and it has been a horrible experience.
I have the exact same symptoms . However, the doctor said I couldn’t be in menopause because I am only 49. Which is so not true. I was put on Natazia and I took it one mo th had a period and literally went crazy. With anxiety, intrusive thoughts,crying and begging for death. I text my doctor ordered labs and I was in menopause. No, I am on a hormone patch that has caused me to have heavy bleeding g and still battling anxiety. I just don’t know what to do. I pray pray and pray.
I’m going threw it it’s suck I first 2 months
Currently these are my go-to’s
Maca
Camu Camu
Ashwaganda Root
Brahmi
Shatavari Root
Beet Root