hello,I,m new here
I,m 37 and a mother of 3 children.
My nightmare started 7 years ago after the birth of my last daughter.
Heavy bleeding for weeks caused me to become severely anaemic.
2 years ago,I had a laparoscopy,hysteroscopy {also Mirena fitted} and nothing bad showed up there thank goodness.The gynae put it down to unexplained uterine bleeding,but after I came round from the anaesthetic I remember the nurse saying I wasnt producing enough progesterone and the Mirena would help.......

Unfortunately,the coil came out...I had another fitted...that fell out....and things just got worse...
flooding ,crying,sleeping alot,moods,rages even........
I thought perhaps I was going through the Menopause and mentioned this to the doctor {my Mum had exactly the same symptoms.....she also bled heavily at first {instead of periods becoming lighter ,like most women}
My doctor laughed and said " you're too young",so I just assumed I was imagining my symptoms and resigned myself to having heavy periods,tried to plod on through life...
Things finally came to a turning point last month when I lost it,walked out of my job ,changed doctors and I am now awaiting to have a hormone test to check my FSH and LH levels.
I am getting hot flashes every day and awoke with a terrible sweat last week....wet through all over...
I,m tearful,constantly tired,cranky,havnt felt like sex in years and feel like sometimes I am losing my mind.I get angry very easily and just hate myself for it.
I have since found out that progesterone is also a 'feel good' hormone,so no wonder I feel lousy!
I've had a few terrifying panic attacks and feel anxious quite often.My breasts are permenantly swollen and sore.I am also 3 stone heavier.I,ve put a stone on this year!
I feel a bit agrophobic too {though I dunno if that is a symptom?}
I think my hubby is on the verge of leaving me.I still fancy him,but there is no urge!!! I feel dead inside
I just want to go back 10 years and get the old me back.

So sorry you're dealing with this. Peri can, and does, start early for some women. There is a website called Easlymenopause.com that can be very informative for the younger crowd. But, we are all here for you too. Peri, before the age of 40 is referred to as POF, premature ovarian failure. Get several consults with different gyn's if necessary. You, and your family deserve for you to feel better and have quality of life.

As for the P being the "feel good" hormone I have to disagree. Many of us just don't tolerat it very well so be careful if you decide to go that route. Read this site as there is much info available. Best Regards, JZZ

Welcome to "the best place to be". After reading your post, I agree with you. I think you're Peri-menopausal for sure! Your symptoms are all the proof you need, although the hormone tests are good too. My periods were extremely heavy for several years before I started skipping one here and there. Now it's been hit and miss for the last year. Haven't had one since the first week of May. We as women are lucky enough to have those "gut feelings" where we just KNOW something is wrong. Know what I mean? And your's is telling you that you are in Peri. Nice, huh? Don't worry, you're in good company here.

Those symptoms sound just like what I was experiencing this spring, though I am 45. I couldn't believe I felt so bad in so many ways so quickly in mind and body. Why does no one warn us? My doc put me on a low dose bcp and so far that is helping me a lot. I hope you get some answers with your new doctor quickly.

thank you both so much for your replies....
I just went to the loo and would you believe...got my period, a week early...
this has happened a few times in the last 18 months and also,I had a few that were a week late {which I was very grateful for!!}
the thing is....I am supposed to be having my hormones tested at the end of next week when my period was due
days 1-3 is best,so,by Monday I will be on day three and just hope they can fit me in...
will the test be any more or less accurate than on day 1?

I,ve had 2 crying do's today already and am supposed to be going out for a family meal,but I really dont feel like it {I never feel like doing anything ! .....only sleep}

I have to say I feel like going back on anti depressants for a year,until I get to the bottom of this....I am utterly sick of listening to myself moaning!!

I feel the same sissy!
Even though I have suffered with the bleeding for years,these extra sypmtoms {sweats,flashes & sore breasts,panic attacks} have sort of smacked me in the face because they are fairly recent and so close together.....
I had my daughter via emergency section and wondered wether that may have triggered POF? my problems started after !
as it was 7 years ago,maybe this really is the menopause and I am near the end of the peri menopause??!
When I look back....I have had some severe rages...I even thought I was bi polar at one point!!!

only my blood results will tell....I,ll keep you posted

Having ones tubes tied can send a women into an earlier menopause transition. I have a close friend that started having hormonal problems after the cesarean birth of her son (she was 35 at the time.) I have another friend having hormonal problems after repeated biopsies and fibroid/polyp removals (she is only 38). My own guess is that anything that "disrupts" the girly parts must have some type of impact upon us and our hormone production. jmo The best to you. JZZ

My Dear
Welcome to the Forum and no you are not too young for Peri-Menopause.I was Post at 39 and thought like you I was going mad.
Your symptoms seem to fit the profile so I hope you get better information from this new Doctor so that you may get various suggestions to ease your symptoms
Try to write down all your feelings because you may also be having some lingering Post Natal Depression.Try,when you feel fairly calm to explain to your husband how you feel and that it is nothing personal against him.You could show him some of the Posts here too that will reassure him that although you love him your Libido is on temporary vacation!
Please stay as calm as you can
Come back here often and let us know if you need any more information or a few good ears to listen to you
Believe me,honey,you are not alone.
Many of us here have walked the Menopausal Road,or are still walking it but we are all trying to be pro-active in finding what can help us feel better.
You and your family deserve the best.
Fight for it and if any Doctor laughs or tries to brush you off find another.

Warm Hugs
Elizabeth

Dear 'miserablemum'
It may well be that when you get your Hormones sorted it will ease your depression but if it does not lift it might be worth discussing going on a low dosage AD.
I take HRT plus an AD and yes it is helpful.
Hope you find something that works for you,my friend
Please keep in touch
God Bless
Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth
thank you so much for your kind reply.....I had yet another crying episode just reading it {cant believe how emotional I am today}
I think you are right....I did have PND after both my daughters and sometimes wonder if my present depression is from then
I still think I,m peri menopausal though which is multiplying my feelings.
We are going for a family meal tonight {we rarely go out } and my hubby was reluctant to go,which really upset me as we never seem to have any quality time {child free time} ....that sounds awful,I love being with the kids but you can sometimes forget about being a wife!
anyway after yet more bickering and then a bit calmer, actual talking ,he has said he will come for this family meal after all.
My Aunt and Uncle have travelled 4 hours to visit and I only get to see them once a year.
What I,m trying to say is his reluctance to go,knocked my already battered self esteem...I know it seems like 'me,me,me but I do love my hubby and want him to be happy too.I guess we just need to communicate better!!
what an emotional roller coaster this is.....I,m so glad I,ve found this website though...everyone is so very helpful!!
thanks again
Donna

Oh you poor thing! At your age peri symptoms are dismissed!

I was talking to a lady the other day who at 35 went post!

She had been suffering for several year> no one mention menopause so she had no clue.

Oh expect your hormones level to be in the normal levels when your still having periods!

Hi sweet,

I was 31 when my symptoms started.......Even though doctors brought it up, they discounted it due to my age.......it took 4 years to be dx with peri. I cannot work(I am on disablity pension), I am terribly anti-social(but I have always been a bit of a loner anyway), angry, fatigued to the bone, irregular periods(mine are also heavier to the nth degree!) and all the rest........I have a 14 year old son but big kudos to you with young kids babe.......

I have heard from some women that if peri is nasty for you, then meno should be easier........better prepared perhaps?

Do not be discouraged if your blood is within range or "normal"........it is the peri conspiracy.......mine has been "normal" all along. It was when I found my current dr who dx me, that I was treated for the symptoms. The treatment has not been easy for me......everything has had upsides and downsides. I am currently trying to work up the courage to try a oestrogen mimicking HRT (Livial).......see how I go.

Babe, you are not alone and I really feel for your situation.......my son was 10 when all this started.......my family ahs watched me slide downhill in a spectacularly painful way.......we have endured and so shall you.......talk to your hubby about your lack of sex-drive. I also have not had one for 4 years.......it is very hard. I talk to my doc about it.......it helps.

I also have a psychologist........if you are going to go onto anti-depressants, a good therapist may also help. Mine has gotten me out of pits many times. Feel free to PM me if you need to talk........we are here and you are not on your own, okay?

Take really good care of you.......

(((((((((((miserablemum)))))))))))))

I am sorry that you are struggling. It sure sounds like you needed a new doc. They think they know everything but NOT!!!! I started having symptoms right after my son was born at age 36. Age really does not matter!!

i started at age 33 , the result of having my tubes tied at a young age....

Thank you to everyone who has replied,it really helps to know I,m not going through this alone and there is always someone to 'talk' to and ask advice.I only joined a few days ago and have posted loads!!
I got my period a week early {damn} so have just rearranged my appointment for today day 3,for my bloods.
Ill keep you posted
THANKS AGAIN!

Hi,

I started what I think is Peri at age 37 as well. I just turned 41 and it is just getting worse by the month. My youngest son had just turned 10 months, and the panic attacks, night sweats, hot flushes, depression....all started. My periods are now horribly heavy and last 7 days, where before they were "normal" in flow and only lasted 5 days. I used to get it every 28 days, like clockwork, now my periods can start anywhere from 18-30 days. My boobs start hurting a solid week before my period shows up, as does the cramping and bloating (which I also get when I ovulate). So every other week I am having pre-menstral symptoms. I am also anti-social and have no sex drive. My husband, luckily is very understanding and we still are able to maintain an intimate relationship, even without a lot of physical "stuff" ...I am so sorry you are also going through this. You never think that it can start that early, and doctors are very quick to dismiss the idea because of your age. It is real...we are all proof of that here on this board. Take care of yourself, this is the time to be kind and loving to yourself. I really hope the ladies are right and that the "real" thing will be a breeze for us, since this is bloody (no pun intended ) awful.

Rachel