Hello everyone. This is my first time, so I hope I do it right. I don't know what is going on with me at the moment, but after reading about this perimenopause (never even heard of it before!), I'm beginning to wonder if that is what I am going through. I have some of the symptoms that I have seen described here, mainly depression! It is driving me nuts. I have always been a happy person, yet all I seem to do lately is cry. Over nothing usually. It is driving me and my boyfriend nuts. Him more, I think, because he doesn't know what to do about it, and feels like it is all his fault (I usually start when he talks to me the wrong way!). I also have the itchy skin going on (though only usually after I have been in the sun), I have tinnitus, which the ear doctor says is caused by anxiety and fatigue, lack of libido, dry vagina (when I do want to do "it"). I can't remember what else but I do know that I could say yes to a fair number of symptoms, most of which surprised me. I'm on the pill, so my periods are always on time, and usually always the same, so I can't use that as a measure.Now here's the kicker. I'm only 30! Is it possible that this is what my problem is? My mum told me once that the later you start getting your period, the sooner you stop getting it. I was a week off 16 when I started, so I'm wondering if she was right, can I be at the end of the line already?If anyone can help me, I would certainly appreciate it.Thanks for your insight.Sandra

Hi, Sandra, you did a great job with your first post.  The symptoms you described certainly sound like perimenopausal-type symptoms.  I don't think it would be unheard of to be starting the menopausal journey at 30.  You can have perimenopausal symptoms up to 10 years before you actually stop having periods.  

Do you have the symptoms all the time or at a certain time of month?  I know I started having PMS when I was about 30, had never had it before.  Another possibility might be the pill you're on.  Even though your periods are regular and normal, it still could be causing a slight hormonal imbalance, either heavy on estrogen or progesterone.  

Don't feel like I' ve been a huge help but I did want to give you a reply and also to welcome you to these boards.  There is a wealth of information here as well as the whole Power Surge site.  So, if you ARE beginning the journey, you've come to the right place for knowledge and support! 

Sandra-

I agree with Joyous.  Could be the pills...........could be PMS.........could even be perimenopause at 30- it is possible.  You could also just be going through a temporary hormone fluctuation, and symptoms will go away.

I started my period a week before my 16th BD and I noticed peri symptoms at around 37 (am 44 now).

What might be helpful is keeping a journal.  I have a calendar at work on my desk, and I jot down symptoms as I have them on a daily basis.  You might be able to find some pattern (premenstrual, at the beginning of your pill cycle....etc.....)

Also.......is personal life okay??  Relationship going well???  Sometimes things we go through emotionally can manifest itself in some physical way.

Try not to "think" too much.  Don't be so busy paying attention to every symptom you MAY have, that this time in your life passes without fun or joy.

If it is perimenopause, as joyous said, it can go on awhile.   Listen to your body,  educate yourself, but try not to forget that this is your life, and you need to LIVE it!

Good Luck.............we'll be here if you need us!

Thank you for your responses. It is nice to know there is someone out there who is willing to listen. I will keep an eye on things and see how it goes. But at least I know you are here if I need you. Thanks again. Sandra

The birth control pill made me terribly depressed,<br>after having children. &nbsp;Worse drug I ever took.lol

I wanted to respond here because it is frustrating to be so young and going through this. I am 32 and have had symptoms for three years, unlike you i started my cycle at the age of 9.:.I have had a difficult time getting my friends and family to believe me,my Mom was the only one.Now that I have been diagnosed I feel vindicated but frutrated too.I have two wonderful kids but I really want one more, my husband wont budge and I feel so and:mad:. I am not sure how I will deal with all of this espically now that I have documented proof, it wont change what I already knew but maybe my husband will see it differently.It doesn't look that way though. Sorry, my point really was your right to ask questions and ask them until you get an answer, never let others make you doubt your gut feelings and trust your self, I did even though everyone but Momma said it couldn't be. If I did not want a baby so bad I would be dancing on this desktop, I see it as a right of passage and I get to pass early. The age of nine is too young, my little girl will be 9 soon and I just can't see her doing that already,too much emotion bubbling up I better go. Hang on tight it is an interesting ride, Annaree:D:(

I am now 31 and have been having these symptoms and more since i was 27. I started my periods at 10 and have found that the only thing that keeps me going at the moment is the pill. maybe it would be an idea for u to try a different pill. I have had quite a rough time of it over the last few years (for those of u wondering YES this is meesh1271,can't get back on as that) my periods have now slowed down a bit on and off the pill and are not as heavy or long anymore. Keep your chin up hun Michelle.

I am 32 - 33 next month - and have been in confirmed peri for a year and a half now. For me, it started suddenly, with the onset of panic attacks that I had never experienced before. From that it progressed into nearly every peri symptom known to womankind, and trial and error med therapies, including 6 different anti-depressants (thought to be anxiety disorder at first), Ativan, progesterone, birth control pills and finally, OTC Estroven and vitamin E. The anti-d's made life unbearable for me, I became addicted to the Ativan and had to go through about a 4 month withdrawal period from them, the progesterone helped my periods become more regular but did nothing for the myriad of other symptoms I was having and the BCPs made my anxiety go through the roof again after having finally had a handle on it for about 7 months. Before I tried the progesterone and BCPs, I did Estroven and Vitamin E and that's when I felt the best since this all started - so that's what I'm back to now. Anyway, I didn't really mean to write a novel here, I just wanted to let you know that YES! It can and does happen for some women at 30 and even younger. Look for information on the internet about early menopause, POF (Primary Ovarian Failure) as well as Secondary Ovarian Failure. Also, as in my case, there is the growing possibility of complications from tubal ligations. For some women, there is an autoimmune disorder that causes early meno, for some it is chemotherapy or surgical menopause (hysterectomy, etc) and for some, just an unknown cause of early meno. Though it is not as common at 30, it is definitely not unheard of and nowdays, more and more women are coming forward who are in EM. Best of luck. You're not alone. Bobbi

I'll be 35 in Feb, 2004. I'd say that I've had symptoms for a couple of years, but things really started getting out of hand last June! Not a good way to spend a family vacation. I'm still in research mode and have lots of questions too. I'm excited to be joining the "Sisterhood". MKOZMIK