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Perimenopause Poll


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Perimenopause Poll  

120 members have voted

  1. 1. What age did you first notice symptoms?

    • <40
      37
    • 40-41
      20
    • 42-43
      20
    • 44-45
      16
    • 46-47
      10
    • 48-49
      9
    • 50 or older
      8
  2. 2. What was first symptom you noticed

    • Period changes
      62
    • Hot flashes
      27
    • More emotional
      17
    • Sleep issues
      14
  3. 3. Did you seek professional help?

    • Yes, medical
      37
    • Yes, counseling or psychological
      2
    • No
      81


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I was around 45.  My period changed.  My regular schedule was off.  And my periods were worse in terms of cramping and heaviness. I spoke to my gynecologist about it.  She recommended uterine ablation to help witht he periods.  Best thing I ever did for myself.  The crazy pms symptoms settled down about a year later.  I still have issues with irritability.  I find when I stay away from white sugar and chocolate the irritability is manageable and I am not as crazy.

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This is an interesting poll. :)

 

I didn't notice any changes until I was over 50 and it was nothing more than my periods coming a bit earlier than usual each month -- around every 26 days instead of 28.

 

I'm not a great sleeper to begin with, so I didn't notice a big difference there -- although waking up feeling very anxious in the middle of the night or early in the morning was new. I'm definitely more anxious than I used to be, often with no specific reason for feeling that way. The best way I can think of to describe it is that sometimes it almost seems like I'm looking for something to worry about. :glare:

 

I didn't seek specific medical attention for anything, although I do speak at length with my gyn at my annual exams to find out what's normal and what's not, so I know when to call him and when it's not necessary -- but he always says to call him any time if something doesn't seem right.

 

The only issue I have had that required medical intervention was when I had light bleeding that wouldn't stop, and it turned out to be a simple case of endometrial hyperplasia, and I took medication for that.

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Something your poll doesn't ask but I'd be curious to know is how long between onset of perimenopausal symptoms and being sure that one is on the other side of it. I started having symptoms around 46-47, bleeding problems, that have been remedied medically. Other quirky symptoms kicked in later. Still ovulating at 54, so that's 8 years so far, here.

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To be honest, I am not 100% sure what happened first or exactly when. But it looks like I was on the older side, which kind of surprises me.

Same here. Based on the responses, it looks like I was the oldest so far. I'm starting to wonder if I had other (earlier) symptoms but was too clueless to realize it. ;)

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I had a hysterectomy due to fibroids in my early 40's so I got to skip the perimenopause related period issues. But I kept my ovaries and so have gotten to experience the full range of other issues that comes with the process. Around 45 or so I got *much* more emotional/angrier than normal. I'd go off on the boys for minor little things. I suspect for awhile they wondered about my stability. Then came odd BO, increased sweating and "book" (I hate that silly substitute term and am only using it because it seems to be expected) pain and tenderness that went on almost non stop for years. Then the intolerance to heat and full blown hot flashes and night sweats. But by the time they started I seemed to be over the worst of the "book" pain/tenderness and emotional stuff. Now I'm 54 and so it's been going on for about nine years. I'm hoping, hoping I'm over the worst of it. I still have hot flashes/night sweats but in general they seem a bit milder and less frequent now. Still definitely NOT looking forward to summer! Ugh!!!

 

ETA: I do take Brisdelle to help with hot flashes. I'm very hesitant to take HRT due to having had a benign breast lump (every doctor I've spoken with has been reluctant to prescribe it to me, too). I think it does help a little. I tried to go off of it last fall and within a few weeks the hot flashes were pretty intolerable. I went back on it and they calmed back down in a few weeks.

Edited by Pawz4me
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I had a hysterectomy due to fibroids in my early 40's so I got to skip the perimenopause related period issues. But I kept my ovaries and so have gotten to experience the full range of other issues that comes with the process. Around 45 or so I got *much* more emotional/angrier than normal. I'd go off on the boys for minor little things. I suspect for awhile they wondered about my stability. Then came odd BO, increased sweating and "book" (I hate that silly substitute term and am only using it because it seems to be expected) pain and tenderness that went on almost non stop for years. Then the intolerance to heat and full blown hot flashes and night sweats. But by the time they started I seemed to be over the worst of the "book" pain/tenderness and emotional stuff. Now I'm 54 and so it's been going on for about nine years. I'm hoping, hoping I'm over the worst of it. I still have hot flashes/night sweats but in general they seem a bit milder and less frequent now. Still definitely NOT looking forward to summer! Ugh!!!

This is me right now. (45 going on 46). I know that I am being so touchy, but I almost cannot help it.

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Yes.

 

I'd be losing it over something--totally over reacting--and at the same time I was thinking "WTH are you going on about, and why?" But I couldn't stop myself!

 

And this is why it might have been better to do the mom thing younger ... my kids are subjected to my moods ... I do try to explain and let them know it's more me than them, but I'm not sure they really get it ....

 

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Yes.

 

I'd be losing it over something--totally over reacting--and at the same time I was thinking "WTH are you going on about, and why?" But I couldn't stop myself!

It's a vicious cycle, isn't it? Because after I lose it, I feel like a crumb for doing it. Which makes me even touchier. Exercise really helps keep the tension level from always sitting at critical mass.

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I said period changes, but that isn't true. I just had to pick an answer. I also said that I sought out medical help, which is kind of true. I believe I am in perimenopause and have been since I was 37. My mom was completely done when she turned 40, no symptoms besides a cessation of cycles. My cycles have gotten shorter 27-28 days on average I think instead of 31-32. But before that I have had a bunch of things of things happen which can be traced back to hormonal imbalances. The most notable is the paresthesia, unexplained nerve issues. I went to the doctor a lot for a little over a year. They cannot find any other root cause. I am now accepting it and other issues as likely due to perimenopause.

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I would like to hear more about the sleep issues that some people voted for in the poll. For the past 9 months or so I've been waking up about 3 am and have been unable to get back to sleep. My youngest (2) is sleeping through the night, and I was excited to do the same!

 

 

Yes.

 

I'd be losing it over something--totally over reacting--and at the same time I was thinking "WTH are you going on about, and why?" But I couldn't stop myself!

 

I've been noticing this as well, I never even considered it could be perimenopause related. My cycles have been a bit irregular, but my youngest is finally almost weaned and this is the first time I've been (almost) not nursing since my oldest was born, I'm not quite sure what to expect with my cycles now. They've been incredibly heavy, though. Diva cup & overnight pad overflowing after just an hour or two, bathroom that looks like a crime scene when I rush there in the morning, and difficulty leaving the house during the first couple days of my cycle. Not what I was looking forward to in my early 40s.

 

I had a pregnancy loss and D&C in December and have been waiting for my cycle to return since then, I have no idea what's going on with my body now.

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Yes.

 

I'd be losing it over something--totally over reacting--and at the same time I was thinking "WTH are you going on about, and why?" But I couldn't stop myself!

Oh, yes, it was like an out of body experience. I could hear myself being absolutely insane and had no ability to stop myself. TBH, my kids do a pretty funny impression of me behaving loopy.

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I'm only 40, but have been noticing changes for about 5 years.  My mom started having symptoms in her 30s (ending with a hysterectomy at 38), so I seem to be hitting similar ages.  I also started my period at age 9, so it makes sense to me that I would start peri earlier than average.  I started with hot flashes and weird weepiness.  Now I've begun to have period changes, skin changes, and my weepiness has turned into a low grade simmering rage..lol.  (seriously, I'd love to not be so angry and irritated all the time!)

 

I wish this process was quicker.  Can't the ovaries just pop out one last egg, die a quick death, and let me get on with life?  I've been offered a hysterectomy, but I'm not quite to the point that I want to get an organ removed.  

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I have no clue.  

 

I'm 44, but been on birth control pills for about a decade now, so I'm not sure I'd notice period changes.

 

I used to get to sleep at the exact same time every night and wake up at the exact same time...until I had kids.  And now I sleep at all different times and wake at different times and keep myself up late, etc.  I wouldn't be able to tell if issues I may have with sleep are because of hormones, or because I have such terrible sleeping habits.  

 

For all I know, there are changes going on that are masked by the pills or by my own bad sleeping habits.  

 

I haven't noticed being extra cranky and yelling out of control.  I hope that never happens.  It sounds miserable.   :(

Edited by Garga
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Yes.

 

I'd be losing it over something--totally over reacting--and at the same time I was thinking "WTH are you going on about, and why?" But I couldn't stop myself!

This was me last night. My boys were wrestling and messing with each other and this is nothing new. But I had HAD. ENOUGH! I went called them to the carpet. I shoved my 6'1" DS' shoulder even as I'm thinking, "you're a lunatic, Danielle, and shoving this young man that towers over you is comically ridiculous." I spent the rest of the evening feeling I needed to go tell him I was sorry I lost my mind. Except that it is actually true that I want them to stop wrestling each other every freakin half a minute.

 

I need spring sports to start.

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Since more than half of those who took the poll have not sought medical help, I'll mention a book that has helped me: "Before the Change, Taking Charge of Your Perimenopause" by Gittleman. I bought the book in my late 30s when I started feeling irrationally irritable, and I have had good success with the nutritional tips to address symptoms for the last 10 years.

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And then what? Back to normal and still waiting to re-enter peri-menopause, or did you hit menopause without any more weird symptoms?

 

back to no symptoms.  then I started t4, and my cycles became completely regular, and started off peri again.   I'm on the down hill now, and with any luck, will be done this year.

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I'm 52 and i just want it to end already. In my early 40's I starting getting horrible day one headaches and longer cycles with heavier bleeding. A few years later they switch to lighter bleeding and significantly shorter cycles. Then they went back to normal, but i got anemia, which i still battle with. A couple of years ago, i got my first 45 day cycle, followed by a 17 day cycle, very heavy. This happens more and more frequently. I'm on a 45 day cycle now.

 

Hot flashes: i think i must be lucky. My first hot flash was memorable. I woke up at 3 am convinced the house was on fire. Nothing else until my first 45 day cycle, six months later. Then i had what i call rolling hot flashes, just wave after wave of warmth for a few weeks. I only have hot flashes when i am on a 45 day cycle, and the flashes have become much less frequent and less strong.

 

I now have seasonal hair loss. I lose lots of hair in september and most of it grows back grey over the winter. My skin is getting looser and dryer. Nothing seems as important as it once did, but small things irritate me more, especially sounds. Sleep patterns are baffling. Most days i wake up between 4 and 5, involuntarily. But some days i will sleep till 6 and want to bottle whatever did that.

 

I still remember the family story of my grandfather's MIL going crazy and chasing him with a baseball bat when she was at a certain age. My own mother left my father at that age. I feel a greater empathy for these women now. I think i'm handling myself fairly decently but I don't know if dh would agree. My opinions have more airtime than they used to. 😊

Edited by Onceuponatime
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I was told at 31 after a tubal reversal that I would likely have perimenopause symptoms early, as I ovaries were shrunken. I noticed the first signs, looking back, right after my daughter was born when I was 39. Nine years later I have almost stopped menstruating, only one this year. I thought I had hot flashes for the last few years if I did they were nothing compared to these evil things from the last 6 weeks. OMG !! I may not survive this long without blowing a gasket, I live in south Texas, it isn't even hot yet.

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Yes.

 

I'd be losing it over something--totally over reacting--and at the same time I was thinking "WTH are you going on about, and why?" But I couldn't stop myself!

 

 

This is me too. I started to notice changes in my mid-late 30s (turning 40 this year). Carefully tracking my period helps - I know when to expect those episodes and send myself for a timeout.

 

Other things I've noticed - weepy & emotional (usually a few days after the anger finally subsides), panic attacks at night (which I had no idea were tied to changing hormones - I thought I was going crazy), and the most recent - my period is much lighter and is a few days later than usual every time.

 

Evening primrose oil helps, especially with the panicky episodes. I've made some other changes recently (gluten-free because of food sensitivities, which also resulted in less sugar since I'm not baking as much, and I started taking magnesium) and noticed that the emotional outbursts aren't as unmanageable. Not sure if that's tied to the dietary changes or not but I'll take it.

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I said and it was period changes.  But they didn't really bother me until I was put on Coumadin and then I needed an ablation.  What did really bother me was how much worse my chronic diseases became.  I needed to be put on stronger medications and more medications.  What I have noticed since I have been in menopause since I was 53, is that my diseases are now better because the hormones have weakened. I breathe better with my asthma and I have a lot, lot less pain with my rheumatological conditions.

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Please don't think the sex drive decreases. It did somewhat, but you know the saying, if you don't use it, you lose it. 

I haven't had a period in...8 or 9 years. I still have hot flashes. My sleeping cycles totally suck. I can get by on 5 or 6 hours of sleep but I'd rather not. 

It used to be that before I'd have a hot flash I'd get very emotional, so dumb. Then I realized what was happening and was able to control it better. I mean CRYING for no reason. I'd be like, "what the freak was the that all about? I'm fine." So, I'd cry and feel out of control and then within 5 minutes, hot flash. I used to have them several times a day but they do vary in intensity, length, and frequency. 

 

Tea parties are still great.

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