If you have landed on this page, then welcome and hello. As the blog title suggests, this is a shared space for navigating the murky avenue of ‘midlife’. I created this blog, so that I can share with you, all the weird and wonderful things I have trialled, adopted and dabbled in, during this strange transitioning time of life. My life now, looks 100% opposite, to how it was 5-10 years ago. There was a significant period of change for me and in all honesty, my transforming is still evolving. I’m now in a place where I accept that life is a continuous journey and we all have a story to tell, so that we can share, learn and support each other. Let me get straight to it – my roles have changed, my body (internal and external) have changed, my outlook of life has changed, what I place importance on has changed, my relationships have changed, my relationship with myself has changed and my priorities have changed. Please use this platform to recognise that you are not alone and we can
Perimenopause Symptoms
So, for me personally, I believe that my perimenopause symptoms started in my early 40's. This is when I started to notice some subtle changes in my body. My menstrual cycle started to change a little but it wasn't too significant to warrant any concerns at that stage. Even at these early stages I just 'felt' different.
As the years progressed, other symptoms developed and at the time, I didn't link it to perimenopause because I didn't really know much about the wide range of symptoms (other than the traditional hot flushes and changes to menstrual cycle). My symptoms included: ringing in my ears, heart palpitations, brain fog, anxiety, joint pain, low libido, random crying, hair loss, sudden onset of odd allergies and of course changes in menstrual cycle - being irregular and unpredictable.
I did actually approach my GP many years ago and questioned if any of my symptoms were related to hormone imbalance but I was told I was too young (being under 45 at the time) and no further investigations were made.
The years passed and my symptoms progressed. I'm now 48 and its only been in this last year (and after doing lots of reading myself about peri/menopause symptoms) that I have plucked up the courage to go back to my GP with all my symptoms in order to commence discussions about commencing on HRT.
Peri/menopause symptoms most commonly known
- Hot Flushes/Flashes
- Irregular Menstrual Pattern
- Mood Swings
- Night Sweats
- Weight Gain
- Low Bone Density
- Vaginal Dryness
Peri/menopause symptoms less commonly known
- Hair Loss
- Tinnitus
- Developing Allergies
- Brain Fog
- Memory Loss
- Joint pain
- Sleep Problems
- Changes in your Voice
- Burning sensation on the tongue
- Incontinence
- Headaches
- Dizzinness
- Itching Skin
- Heart Palpitations
- Tingling sensations in the body
- Low Libido
As you can see, the potential symptoms are really vast but these less common features get overlooked both by those experiencing them and our healthcare professionals.
I'd been to my GP on many occasions with all my symptoms but none of them were ever linked to perimenopause. It was only by educating myself, that I realised what was going on.
Fortunately, here in the UK. Once a woman is over 45yrs old, GPs can commence treatment such as HRT based on symptoms alone, without the need for undergoing lots of investigations. Obviously, if your symptoms are similar to other potential issues then this will be explored further, to rule out any other health issues.
For me, I was sent off for scans because my bleeding was so unpredictable and I would often flood, sometimes I could bleed for 2-3 weeks, then nothing for 6 weeks. It was quite erratic.
Scans revealed 2 very small fibroids but I was told that these were so small that they shouldn't be the cause of my problems. I was equally told that there are many theories now to suggest that fibroids (in many cases) are secondary to menopause. Suggesting that menopause causes them.
Starting HRT
After scan results, my GP commenced me on estrogen progesterone combines patch 50. This form of HRT was at my request. My GP wanted me to have the coil but I declined.
There's many different forms of HRT available and at different doses. It's worth reading up on these beforehand, to make sure you start on something that best meets your needs and what you prefer. Otherwise you will be prescribed whatever the healthcare practitioner thinks you need. Go to your appointment, prepared.
I've only started HRT 2 months ago and immediately noticed a difference to how my body felt. Within 3 days, my heart palpitations subsided (these were occurring multiple times throughout every day), my joint pain in feet and hands also subsided and I wasn't as emotional as I had been.
Starting HRT has been amazing for me and I look forward to continued improvements in my symptoms.
We are all different and how we experience menopause will differ from one person to the next. Do what's right for you and try not to be too swayed by other people's opinions.
Some materials that helped me better understand hormones and menopause:
Balance app Link to Balance
Peppy app (I'm very lucky that my work here in the UK fund all our ladies to have access to this app which provides 1:1 consultations with a menopause expert) Link to Peppy
Book - The new hormone solution by Erika Schwartz Link to book
Good luck with any decision you decide to make with your peri/menopause journey.
Comment to share your own experiences and any support that you can also offer
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