Newbie here. I was diagnosed with 'early menopause' just last week (my estrogen came back too low). I just turned 30. I definately think I'm loosing my mind. I get those rage impulses. Wow, If a little kid is crying at the store I can't stand it, I feel like screaming. I used to be very tolerant. I also, will go into this depression funk where the world seems like it's gonna end. I also suffer from the hotflashes. It seems the closer I get to my period, the worse they are. Waking up soaked and freezing sometimes 2-3 times a night. As you might imagine I have tons of laundry always waiting for me. Anyway, I'm glad I found this site. Because I really do feel alone. And I can't stand being told "Oh it's No big deal, everyone goes through it sometime." Maybe that's true for some, but this has definately turned my life upside down!!!

I so lovvvve your name, NotReady!! First, welcome to PS! You'll love this place, and wonder what you ever did without us! I am concerned tho that you were diagnosed with "early menopause" at barely 30 years of age. You didn't get real specific, so not sure, other than the test that showed estrogen low, how your doctor determined this. Hormones fluctuate wildly for all different reasons. You can be low on one day, and not on another. Sometimes (and I say SOMETIMES) throwing out that diagnosis lets the doctor off the hook for determining what else could be wrong. I'ts an easy lable to toss out there. I am not a doctor, and there are people here at PS wayyyy more experienced and qualified than I (Help Dearest!), but I don't think I would just lay down to that diagnosis, knowing now what I know about doctors, and this whole perimenopause experience. I think you should explore this site BIG TIME, and maybe once you have a little more information under your belt, go back to the doctor. I would start reading the "Ask the Experts" archives, and doing searches on early menopause. You'll find the "Power Surge Quick Links" at the top of this page to your right. You can start there. Now for what I DO know.... YOU ARE NOT LOSING YOUR MIND. When you go to the "Recommendations" you will find some tips on how to help alivate some of your symptoms. I'm sorry you feel alone, because, truly you are not. There are over 13,000 women on this site that understand, and are sympathetic to what you are going through. And the "Oh it's no big deal, everyone goes through it" remark... well, that's not entirely true in your case. Most 30 year olds are not going through this right now. RESEARCH, LEARN, AND EDUCATE yourself, because if in fact you are in early menopause, there are a lot of things that at the very least can HELP you. You take care, and keep in touch!

Thanks! It's good to hear I'm not completely losing it. The first time I had the night time hotflashes I was around 27. I ignored it for a while figuring it to be stress. I also have a host of psychological symtoms (panic attacks, depression) which were treated through a psychiatrist. Now three years later the symptoms have only became more often and more acute. So in between seeing every type of doctor known- gastrologist, psychiatrist, obgyn, allergist, dermatologist and a few others I can't remember. I recently moved to LA, and needed to see a new obgyn. My first vist was just a regular check up, pap smear, and he drew some blood to check my liver, kidneys, blood counts, ect... He perscribed me Ortho Trycline. All bloodwork came back normal. This time I told him I suffered a bout of anorexia years back where I did not menstrate for 3 yrs. And had be dealing with it on and off for the past 10 years. (Currently my weight is stable and in normal range.) So he took more blood for my thyroid and hormone levels. That's when he told me I had early menopause. I go to see him in 6 weeks again to see if my symptoms improved on the pill. Honestly I don't know if anorexia has been linked to early menopause. So that's my story so far. I found this site to be so helpful!!! I've been reading through it all day! I just can't seem to get enough info. thanks for listening