Perimenopause/menopausal symptoms- starting menopause in your 40's?

sarahsweets · Nov 26, 2019 at 02:22 AM

Right around age 40 I skipped my first period in 16 years. I got so freaked out I bought a pregnancy test even though my husband had a vasectomy. Of course it was negative. Around that time I had an unexplained 10lb weight gain, my breasts seemed to get smaller, hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods etc. My gyn first did a blood test to check if I was starting menopause and it was negative. He then said the way to know for sure was a uterine tissue sample (which was done in office and sucked). That was negative also. He said he believe it was peri-menopause even though I was young. He mentioned that certain factors like smoking, autoimmune disorders and your mother's start of menopause could indicate when you might start it yourself. I also googled it and smoking and autoimmune stuff were mentioned over and over(I do both unfortunately).

I can't take it anymore. I was talking to my mom and she has had female issues and her doc put her on the lowest dose of the birth control pill. She mentioned that there are just straight up hormones but that the pill was what she was given and she trusted the doc she went to (she is an icu nurse and works closely with docs so I trust her).

I also am terrible with keeping up with my lady part visits. Its been like 3 years mostly because my doc was like " oh well. sucks to be you" and offered no support or suggestions. He is male and I only saw him for three years and do not like the idea of him telling my about my body TBH. I took my daughter this year to the gyn for the first time and for birth control. I love her midwife so I am going to make an appointment with her. What is the likely hood of me seeing her and having her agree with the pill idea? I was on the pill for years so I already know that it doesn't bother me. I also know that the estrogen could help with my lack of labido and dryness and all that other TMI stuff and symptoms described above.
Has anyone else gone through this so young? ( I am 44 now) What ways did you use to treat or cope. The sleeping issues its causing are horrible. Plus I am so forgetful and clumsy! i thought it was just me but the other day I googled it and those things were mentioned as well.

I thought I would be upset with the change as it meant that I could not have anymore children(I do not want anymore) or that my "true female purpose" was going away. I feel nothing of the sort. In fact it doesn't phase me and I wouldn't mind being rid of the whole situation.
Please share your advice and story or support.
Thanks.

splitimage · Nov 26, 2019 at 07:42 AM

I started perimenopause, in my early 40's and was in full blown menopause by 44. I was lucky, I didn't have any symptoms except not having to deal with periods anymore which I viewed as a huge plus.

My Dr. thinks that the reason I didn't have any symptoms is because I'm on Effexor as a psych med. Apparently at a low dose it can be use to treat menopause symptoms, especially hot flashes.

splitimage

unaluna · Nov 26, 2019 at 08:46 AM

I would be concerned for you to take the pill because of your smoking. Its more likely to cause a stroke.

I thought you were going to get healthy to hike the Grand Canyon this summer! Doesnt that mean not smoking? My last experience with the pill was 40 years ago, and it made me very stiff, even tho i was exercising and losing weight and getting cute (which is why i wanted the pill!). So i went off it, but the newer ones are lower dose, i understand.

Getting healthier is a gradual change. You dont really notice a difference until like two months of consistently doing something. Nobody tells you that! Or maybe i wasnt listening.

luvyrself · Nov 26, 2019 at 03:11 PM

I had menopause at about 50–no problems. I had used the pill for a long time, then a coil.
OMG, Sarah, you are one of my favorite people on the forums. I live in Phoenix. Message me any time . Would love to see you when you come to AZ to hike at the Grand Canyon!

Return To Sender · Nov 26, 2019 at 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splitimage

...My Dr. thinks that the reason I didn't have any symptoms is because I'm on Effexor as a psych med. Apparently at a low dose it can be use to treat menopause symptoms, especially hot flashes.

splitimage

I'm 50 and I experienced menopause in my late 40s. What I found interesting about your post was what you wrote about Effexor. Since I went on Abilify about 1 1/2 months ago, the number and intensity of my hot flashes has been greatly reduced. Also, my hot flashes would usually start with high anxiety(feeling like the beginning of an anxiety attack) right before feeling the hot flash, but it seems that Abilify pretty much took that part away(which to me was the worst part!). I wonder if doctors prescribe Abilify off-label for women who suffer terribly from hot flashes. (Unfortunately I'll probably be going off Abilify next week because of issues with mania, but I have even bigger problems to address.)

sarahsweets · Nov 27, 2019 at 04:31 AM

@unaluna
Its actually yellowstone, not the grand canyon although that one is on my bucket list. Yes I do want to quit smoking but every time I think its time to try some ***** happens that makes it seem so overwhelming, the latest being my pregnant daughter and trying to sort things out. I'd like to try Velo I keep seeing their commercials but I need to figure out where to buy it. I know that the pill and smoking can make you prone to blood clots but I had also heard that the lowest dose of the pill could still be an option. What other options are there if I cant take the pill?

Quote:

Originally Posted by unaluna

I would be concerned for you to take the pill because of your smoking. Its more likely to cause a stroke.

I thought you were going to get healthy to hike the Grand Canyon this summer! Doesnt that mean not smoking? My last experience with the pill was 40 years ago, and it made me very stiff, even tho i was exercising and losing weight and getting cute (which is why i wanted the pill!). So i went off it, but the newer ones are lower dose, i understand.

Getting healthier is a gradual change. You dont really notice a difference until like two months of consistently doing something. Nobody tells you that! Or maybe i wasnt listening.

sarahsweets · Nov 27, 2019 at 04:32 AM

@luvyrself
That is really sweet to say and made me smile this morning! Its actually yellowstone that we are going to this summer but hubby and I plan on retiring with an rv and the grand canyon is definitely on our bucket list.

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvyrself

I had menopause at about 50–no problems. I had used the pill for a long time, then a coil.
OMG, Sarah, you are one of my favorite people on the forums. I live in Phoenix. Message me any time . Would love to see you when you come to AZ to hike at the Grand Canyon!

luvyrself · Nov 29, 2019 at 03:54 AM

Chiantix with Wellbutrin helped my ex quit smoking. It worked! Diabetic with cardiac and vascular problems. Quitting smoking saved his life.
I had a coil for birth control for years. It was so easy- you don’t even have to remember to take something. Hugs!

*Beth* · Nov 30, 2019 at 03:35 PM

I was recently discussing this with a close friend. She was 42 when she went through menopause (stopped having periods), and in her 30's she was perimenopausal. I don't think the 40's is unusual.

I was 53 when I stopped having periods, but definitely experienced perimenopause at least 6 years prior. I have read that for many women 12-15 years is not unusual (from peri- to full menopause). I'm 56 and still have an occasional hot flash. It's like my body still isn't completely through full menopause.

Stellata · Dec 01, 2019 at 04:24 PM

I'm 49 and appear to be going through perimenopause.

Wearier · Dec 08, 2019 at 11:15 AM

51 years here and post-menopausal.
It is remarkable how much better I feel on HRT, no more sheets and pijamas drenched in nightsweats, even my mood has picked up somewhat, thanks to a tiny dose of estrogen and progesteron. A true life elixir imho, I plan on taking it longterm as it even protects against osteoporosis and heart disease.
Ask your doc about it, in my country you need to be 6 months past your last period and non-smoking. I also take sertraline long term, against depression.

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Perimenopause/menopausal symptoms- starting menopause in your 40's?

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Stellata Member Member Since Sep 2018 Location: London area UK Posts: 152 6 29 hugs given	Dec 01, 2019 at 04:24 PM #10 I'm 49 and appear to be going through perimenopause.
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